Postdoctoral Fellow- MPS

Join the HJF Team!

HJF is seeking a Postdoctoral Fellow to support studies of pediatric eating disorders and military child weight-based stigma at the Medical & Clinical Psychology (MPS) Department of the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USU) in Bethesda, MD.

The Postdoctoral Fellow would work primarily under the supervision of Drs. Natasha Schvey, Lisa Shank, and Marian Tanofsky-Kraff. The position will be focused on two clinical research projects: 1) a multi-site study (with University of Pittsburg and Mount Sinai Hospital) to validate a measure for screening eating disorders that will be relevant for both civilian and military pediatric populations; and 2) a study to elucidate multiple forms of weight stigma and their impacts on parent and child functioning, health, and well-being. Fellows will be involved in performing research tasks related to these trials, as well as supervising research assistants and graduate students in relevant research duties. In addition, fellows will have opportunities to develop research programs by writing training grant applications and authoring peer-reviewed manuscripts. Moreover, as part of MPS, fellows will participate in educational and career development trainings and workshops and become involved in other ongoing clinical research studies in the program. The positions are designed to support individuals interested in a future independent research program.

Specific opportunities include:

• Training and supervision in semi-structured interventions focusing on disordered eating, general psychopathology, and other psychosocial domains.
• Mentorship by experts in eating and weight disorders and multi-method research designs.
• Working and collaborating with a multidisciplinary team of researchers with expertise in clinical psychology, medical psychology, pediatric endocrinology, and adolescent medicine.
• Career development for an independent research program.
• Authorship of peer-reviewed manuscripts and scientific conference presentations.

The Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine (HJF) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing military medicine. We serve military, medical, academic and government clients by administering, managing and supporting preeminent scientific programs that benefit members of the armed forces and civilians alike. Since its founding in 1983, HJF has served as a vital link between the military medical community and its federal and private partners. HJF's support and administrative capabilities allow military medical researchers and clinicians to maintain their scientific focus and accomplish their research goals.

• Assist in designing, developing, executing, and implementing scientific research, to include overseeing participant recruitment, retention, and data collection.
• Contribute to the development of study protocols, regulatory submissions, and research documentation as needed.
• Oversee and manage study staff (research coordinators, graduate students, volunteers), including providing day-to-day supervision, training, workflow oversight, and guidance to ensure successful study implementation and compliance with research protocols.
• Coordinate research activities across study team members and support efficient project operations, data collection, and participant management.
• Assist with the preparation, analysis, and presentation of research data for scientific meetings, reports, and publication in peer-reviewed journals.
• May perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned or directed by the supervisors. This may include attendance at and participation in required training for this role.

Education and Experience

• Doctoral degree. Preferably a PhD or PsyD in clinical psychology
• Minimum of 0-5 years' experience required.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• A doctoral-level degree in a field relevant to psychology; preferably a PhD or PsyD in clinical psychology from APA-accredited graduate and internship programs obtained by the start date for the position.
• Demonstrated success in publishing research in peer-reviewed journals aligned with the position description.
• Demonstrated excellence in oral and written communication skills, with the ability to effectively communicate scientific concepts, provide constructive feedback, and mentor research staff.
• Demonstrated strong interpersonal, leadership, and team-building skills, with the ability to supervise, support, and foster the professional development of research coordinators while working collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams.
• Attention to detail as well as strong analytical and critical thinking skills.
• Must be able to obtain applicable Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) certifications, and meet requirements to obtain a DoD Common Access Card.
• Some prior clinical and/or research experience working with individuals with eating or weight disorders, training in empirically-supported treatments, or experience working with pediatric civilian and/or military populations, preferred.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a T1 Public Trust background check.

Physical Capabilities

• Ability to stand or sit at a computer for prolonged periods

Work Environment

• This position will take place primarily in a laboratory setting.

Compensation

The annual salary range for this position is $52,800-$78,000. Actual salary will be determined based on experience, education, etc.

Benefits

HJF offers a comprehensive suite of benefits focused on your health and well-being, from medical, dental, and vision coverage to health savings and retirement plans, and more.

Employment with HJF is contingent upon successful completion of a background check, which may include, but is not limited to, contacting your professional references, verification of previous employment, education and credentials, a criminal background check, and a department of motor vehicle (DMV) check if applicable. Any qualifications to be considered as equivalents, in lieu of stated minimums, require the prior approval of the Chief Human Resources Officer.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c

Any qualifications to be considered as equivalents, in lieu of stated minimums, require the prior approval of the Chief Human Resources Officer.