Postdoctoral Research Fellowship

Translational Research and Policy for Child and Adolescent Behavioral Health

University of Washington School of Medicine

Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences

The University of Washington School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, invites applicants for a postdoctoral fellowship focused on translation and promotion of effective children’s behavioral health policies for publically-funded services at the state and national levels. The fellowship also provides training and mentorship in intervention development and testing, implementation research, and methodological and analytic skills relevant to implementation science and policy research. This will be a one year fellowship with an option for extension to a second year (based on evaluation of positive performance and fit to the fellow’s professional development needs).

The successful applicant will be affiliated with the Washington State Evidence Based Practice Institute (EBPI), National Center for Research on Children’s Care Coordination (previously the UW Wraparound Evaluation and Research Team), and Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and based in off-campus office space in Seattle, approximately one mile from the campus of the University of Washington. (See relevant websites at www.ebp.institute, http://depts.washington.edu/wrapeval, and www.uwpsychiatry.org).

The fellow will work on projects funded by the State of Washington Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery, National Technical Assistance Network for Children’s Behavioral Health, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, National Institute of Mental Health, and other entities. Examples of projects and activities for the research fellow will include:

  • Providing support to initiatives to implement research-based practices;
  • Conducting research on strategy and program implementation;
  • Conducting research on implementation and impact of state and local behavioral health policies;
  • Developing empirically-based policy guidance documents for state child-serving agencies and other purchasers of behavioral health services;
  • Facilitate state, local, and national learning and quality collaboratives focused on implementation of research-based behavioral health practices.

The fellow will also receive protected research time for writing manuscripts and developing grant proposals. Additional didactic opportunities will be provided, including coursework on policy research, statistics, and advanced methodology; career development seminars; grand rounds; grantsmanship seminars, and other professional development opportunities. The fellow will also benefit from being part of a network of policy- and research-focused postdoctoral research trainees in child and adolescent behavioral health funded by a range of sources, including NIMH and the Institute for Education Sciences. The fellow will be jointly supervised by the Directors of the EBPI (Dr. Sarah C. Walker) and NCRC (Dr. Eric J. Bruns), allowing the fellow exposure to exciting developments in both state and national research and policy.

Successful candidates will have:

  • An earned doctorate in a relevant discipline (e.g., Clinical or Community Psychology, Public Health, Social Work, or a related discipline) at the time of appointment;
  • Experience in research focused on effective strategies for implementing evidence-based and culturally-responsive mental health assessment and intervention practices in public sectors (i.e., public behavioral health, schools, juvenile justice, child welfare);
  • Experience and/or interest in integrated care coordination models for youths with complex needs;
  • A record of scientific scholarship and experience in intervention development, policy research, and/or implementation science;
  • Training, experience, and skills in research methodology and data analysis relevant to evaluation and policy research.

Preference will be given to applicants interested in pursuing a research or academic career path and can begin by September 1, 2018. Stipend is commensurate to the NIH salary range for postdoctoral fellows along with full medical and dental benefits. Applications are due by March 1, 2018, and will be reviewed upon receipt.

To apply, please email:

  • A detailed letter describing interest in and qualifications for the position, including academic preparation, relevant experience, and research agenda. Please also describe experiences with and commitment to diversity-related work and equity in research, teaching, service, and/or outreach, including experience engaging with historically underserved communities, children, and/or families.
  • A curriculum vitae;
  • Two examples of scholarly writing;
  • Names/contact information for at least three references.

Please send the above information to Sarah C. Walker, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington at secwalkr@uw.edu.

The University of Washington is an Equal Opportunity employer. We seek to build a culturally diverse intellectual environment and are particularly interested in receiving applications from women, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities.