Post-Doc Fellow - Department of Psychiatry

Wayne State University is searching for an experienced Post-Doc Fellow - Department of Psychiatry at its Detroit campus location.

Wayne State is a premier, public, urban research university located in the heart of Detroit, Michigan where students from all backgrounds are offered a rich, high-quality education. Our deep-rooted commitment to excellence, collaboration, integrity, diversity and inclusion creates exceptional educational opportunities which prepare students for success in a global society.

Essential functions (job duties):

Based on the year of the scholar/fellow, this distribution will change. Earlier in their career they will directly conduct research, whereas later, as they become ready to apply for other positions or transition away from postdoc status, they focus on papers, grants etc. The functions listed in the table below are suggestions and would be best categorized and assigned by the mentor/sponsor, in close collaboration with their postdoc, as they consider and complete the Individual Development plan that each postdoc at WSU is expected to complete and revise each year.

• Perform scientific techniques or research protocols. Assist the Principal Investigator in designing and performing protocols. Design and perform experiments. Collect and log research data. Participate in implementing research objectives, ensuring compliance with all legal, regulatory and protocol guidelines. Assist other lab members with experiments as required. May mentor research assistants and students.
• With the assistance of the mentor, find and write research grants with the goal of obtaining additional research grant funding. Responsibilities may also include coordinating correspondence with applicants and grantees, acknowledging receipts of proposals, and maintaining a system to track proposals.
• Evaluate and perform preliminary analysis of the data using graphs, charts or tables to highlight the key points of the research results collected in accordance with the research protocols as stipulated.
• Prepare and present presentations regarding research project results for professional, scientific and academic conferences. Summarize and organize data results for submittal to academic and scholarly, peer-reviewed journals. Write scientific manuscripts and other documents for publication. Fact-check, proofread, and edit research documents to ensure accuracy.
• Maintain the laboratory work areas including routine maintenance on laboratory equipment as required. Order and organize required research supplies and records. Maintain cleanliness and organization of work station.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Unique duties:

A postdoctoral position is open immediately (summer/fall 2024). The successful candidate will join the Stress, Trauma and Anxiety Research Clinic (STARC; https://www.starclab.org) within Wayne State University’s (WSU) Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences (DPBN). STARC is a leading trauma and anxiety research clinic with projects focusing on longitudinal study of risk and resilience in refugee populations (including environmental, parenting, autonomic, and epigenetic variables), trauma and stress in first responders, body focused interventions for youth with history of trauma, and use of cutting edge augmented reality technologies in treatment of phobias and PTSD. At the STARC there will be an opportunity to work with a large vibrant diverse and multidisciplinary group with national reputation, access to diverse and large data sets, opportunity to learn psychophysiology research, brain imaging, genetics, and technology-based treatment methods, gaining large number of publications, ongoing exposure to and possibility of engagement in grant writing. Duties will consist of, but are not limited to: Extensive analyzing of existing data (self-report, psychophysiology, genetic, epigenetic, brain imaging) Leading writing of manuscripts and participating in writing grants Presenting data at national and international meetings Assisting in the training and supervision of students The successful candidate will become part of a multidisciplinary and internationally recognized clinical research community. Salary will be commensurate with years of experience and will follow NIH guidelines for postdoctoral fellows. WSU has over 27,000 undergraduate, graduate, and graduate professional students, and is designated a Research I university. WSU is ranked in the top 100 universities by the NSF in total research expenditures, and holds a “Very High Research” designation by the Carnegie Foundation. The WSU School of Medicine is the largest single-campus medical school in the nation. The DPBN is located in WSU School of Medicine’s Tolan Park Medical Building, directly across the street from the Detroit Medical Center (including Harper Hospital and Children’s Hospital). It is a modern facility that is highly conducive to clinical research and treatment. PI Javanbakht has a dedicated suite within the Tolan Park Medical Building

Qualifications:

Education; Doctorate Degree
Requires advanced knowledge in a field of science or learning, predominantly intellectual in character.
This knowledge is acquired by a prolonged course of specialized intellectual instruction.

Experience; Intermediate (3 to 4 years job-related experience)
Job related experience can include doctorate training. Experience performing basic research techniques,
preferred. Must have distinguished themselves in research. Prior recipient of funding for research based on individual achievements.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Ability to work independently. Ability to secure grants and funding for research. Ability to collect, analyze, summarize and interpret research findings in reports and communicate results to the field. Knowledge of and experience with current scientific integrity principles. Excellent time management and organization skills.
Excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to work with others in a collaborative environment. Microsoft office software skills.

Preferred qualifications:

We are seeking a highly motivated individual with a doctoral degree (or be close to award) in Psychology, Neuroscience, or related field. Applicants must have experience conducting human subjects research studies utilizing a variety of paradigms preferably in stress and trauma-related disorders (e.g., posttraumatic stress disorder, anxiety disorders, depression). Strong background in multivariate and hierarchical statistical modeling and statistical skills is required, and experience in coding (Matlab, R, …) is preferred. Candidates are required to have a strong record of peer reviewed publications. Strong writing and oral communication skills; ability to work collaboratively in an outgoing, dynamic and hardworking lab environment

School/College/Division:

H06 - School of Medicine

Primary department:

H0613 - Psychiatry

Employment type:

• Regular Employee
• Job type: Full or Fractional Time
• Job category: Research

Funding/salary information:

• Compensation type: Annual Salary
• Hourly rate:
• Salary minimum:
• Salary hire maximum:

Working conditions:

Typical work environment may include a laboratory and/ or office environment. May require working non-standard business hours including evenings and weekends. May be required to travel to scientific conferences.

Job openings:

• Number of openings: 1
• Reposted position: No
• Reposted reason: None (New Requisition)
• Prior posting/requisition number:

Background check requirements:

University policy requires certain persons who are offered employment to undergo a background check, including a criminal history check, before starting work. If you are offered employment, the university will inform you if a background check is required.

Equal employment opportunity statement:

Wayne State University provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. The university encourages applications from women, people of color and other underrepresented people. Wayne State is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer.