The VISN 17 Center of Excellence for Research on Returning War Veterans is accepting applications for a two-year Postdoctoral Fellowship in our VA Office of Academic Affiliations (OAA)-funded advanced training program in mental illness research and treatment. We are specifically recruiting for one position in implementation science, although other positions are open for research that specifically addresses war Veterans with co-occurring disorders such as PTSD, TBI, depression and substance use disorders. Training will commence between August and October 2019.

IMPLEMENTATION SCIENCE PROGRAM

The implementation science core at the VISN 17 Center of Excellence is led by Justin Benzer, PhD. Dr. Benzer is an industrial/organizational psychologist who specializes in cross-professional and organizational issues in implementation science, and specifically in primary care/mental health integration. Fellows will receive mentoring in organization science relative to their specific research interests. Joseph Mignogna, PhD is a clinical psychologist and investigator within the core who also specializes in primary care/mental health integration. Both Drs. Benzer and Mignogna are experienced in qualitative and quantitative methods. Fellows will receive extensive training and mentoring in research methods such as qualitative interviewing and hierarchical linear modeling. The core also employs a database programmer who constructs datasets for analysis from VA administrative data through the VA Corporate Data Warehouse. Fellows will learn/expand their knowledge of VA databases during their fellowship.

GENERAL INFORMATION REGARDING THE FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM

The fellowship program aims to train psychologists to become outstanding clinical research leaders in high priority areas of mental health. Individualized, mentored research and clinical training are combined with a state-of-the-art curriculum that emphasizes research methods, statistics, epidemiology, mental health systems, quality improvement methods, education, and service delivery.  Our training model provides that fellows devote 75% of their time to research and 25% to clinical work. In collaboration with their mentors, fellows develop and implement a research project, publish and present findings, participate in grant writing and submit a grant, and utilize advanced technology for educational activities and clinical service delivery.

ABOUT THE CENTER

The VISN 17 Center of Excellence (CoE) is a unified scientific and administrative center featuring clinical space, observation rooms, wet labs, and a 3T MRI for structural and functional neuroimaging.  The CoE is located within one of the largest integrated health care systems in the United States, which serves a Veteran population of more than 252,000, and is located near Fort Hood with approximately 35,000 active duty forces.  The CoE also has active partnerships with Texas A&M Health Science Center, Texas A&M University, the University of Texas, and Baylor University, in addition to collaborations with other academic institutions and VA systems.

STIPEND AND BENEFITS

The Fellowship Program currently offers a full-time first year stipend of $46,553 per annum (increase in year 2). Thirteen days of vacation, up to 13 days of sick leave, authorized leave for conferences, health insurance and other benefits are offered. Fellows receive a $1,000 annual conference travel allowance, and research start-up funds may be available.

QUESTIONS

Please contact the Director of Training Dr. Richard Seim at 254-297-5109 or at richard.seim@va.gov with general questions about the fellowship program. For questions about the implementation science core or specific implementation science research opportunities within the Center of Excellence please contact Dr. Justin Benzer at 512-495-5272 or at Justin.benzer@va.gov.

TO APPLY

Submit your application to Dr. Richard Seim at 254-297-5109 or at richard.seim@va.gov with the subject line “Implementation Science Fellowship”. Applications should include a cover letter, a CV, official transcripts, and three letters of reference. The initial deadline for applications is January 26th, and interviews will be scheduled in January and February. Applications will be accepted until available positions are filled.

For more information please visit https://www.mirecc.va.gov/visn17/fellowship.asp