Job Summary

The Center for Weight, Eating and Lifestyle Science (WELL Center; drexel.edu/wellcenter) is currently recruiting for a Postdoctoral Research Fellow: Treatment Development and Evaluation for Eating Disorders under the joint supervision of Adrienne Juarascio, Ph.D. and Stephanie Manasse, Ph.D.

The postdoctoral research position offers ample opportunities for, and training/mentoring in, manuscript writing, grant writing, the use of innovative technology and methodology, and leadership roles. In addition, the research position is flexible depending on the interests of the postdoctoral fellow, and considerable attention will be devoted to developing the fellow’s line of research including the planning and execution of an independent project. Pilot study funding will be provided. In addition, the postdoc fellow will be mentored in the writing of one or more independent grant proposals. Responsibilities include assistance overseeing research coordinators, undergraduate and graduate students; monitoring study protocols, conducting statistical analyses; writing scientific manuscripts, and potentially clinical service and/or supervision of clinical service. As a result of fellowship activities, training, and mentorship, fellows will be highly competitive for the NIH Loan Repayment Program and for NIH training grants (e.g., F32s, K23s).

This position entails working on clinical trials examining innovative treatments for eating disorders. These projects include six NIH-funded trials designed to improve outcomes for adolescents and adults with binge eating disorder and bulimia. The position will have both clinical and research components, with approximately 30/70 percent allocation of time for clinical and research tasks, respectively, though this allocation is flexible depending on interests. The fellow will assist in the development of treatment protocols, lead treatment groups, conduct outpatient treatment for adults with eating disorders, supervise research staff, provide training to graduate students, and engage in manuscript and grant writing activities. This training experience is designed to build expertise in clinical research in the area of eating disorder treatment. The ideal candidate will have a doctorate in clinical psychology and have experience treating individuals with eating disorders. Experience with assessment methods (e.g., semi-structured diagnostic interviews), a strong training background in behavioral treatments for eating disorders, good statistical skills, and good writing skills (e.g. publications) are required.

The position may involve taking a prominent role in a number of projects that are developing and testing novel treatments to facilitate eating disorder treatment. These projects include development and evaluation of: mindfulness and acceptance based treatments for eating disorders delivered in group and individual treatment formats, a just-in-time adaptive intervention (JITAI) augmentations to CBT for eating disorders, a group lifestyle modification program for adolescents with loss-of-control eating, sleep-focused interventions for adolescent eating disorders, and a novel family-based treatment for adolescent eating disorders. The fellow could assist with development and iteration of the treatments; data processing and analysis; and manuscript write-up. In addition, the fellow will help develop follow-up designs and grant proposals.

Essential Functions

• Research activities and may include:
  • Overseeing research coordinators, undergraduate, and graduate students
  • Monitoring study protocols
  • Assisting in the development of a treatment protocols
  • Providing training to graduate students
  • Assisting with development and iteration of the technologies, methodologies and algorithmic functions of the research projects
  • Data processing and analysis
  • Conducting statistical analyses
  • Developing follow-up designs and grant proposals
  • Writing scientific manuscripts
• Clinical activities and may include:
  • Clinical service and/or supervision of clinical service
  • Conducting assessments of potential participants
  • Leading treatment groups
  • Conducting outpatient treatment for adults with eating and weight disorders
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• PhD or Doctorate in Clinical Psychology
• Experience with assessment methods (e.g., semi-structured diagnostic interviews),
• Strong training background in behavioral treatments for eating disorders
• Good statistical skills
• Good writing skills (e.g. publications)

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with eating and weight disorders.

Physical Demands

• Typically sitting at a desk/table

Location

University City

Additional Information

This position is classified as Exempt with a salary grade of I. For more information regarding Drexel’s Professional Staff salary structure, https://drexel.edu/hr/career/ducomp/salstructure/

Special Instructions to the Applicant

Please make sure you upload your CV/resume and cover letter when submitting your application.

Review of applicants will begin once a suitable candidate pool is identified.