Pre-Doctoral Fellowship in Social Work Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Intervention Research
Eric Garland, PhD, Associate Dean for Research at the University of Utah College of Social Work, is seeking an incoming social work PhD student in social work neuroscience and biobehavioral intervention research. The pre-doctoral fellow will assist in federally-funded research; faculty at the University of Utah College of Social Work are currently conducting research projects funded by NIH -National Institute of Drug Abuse, NIH-National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, NIH-National Institute on Aging, National Institute on Justice, the National Science Foundation, the Department of Defense, and Patient Center Research Outcomes Institute (PCORI). The fellow will assist on several funded randomized clinical trials (RCTs) and biobehavioral mechanistic studies of Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement (MORE), a manualized social work intervention for chronic pain, emotion dysregulation, and opioid misuse. For additional information on MORE and current research studies, see www.drericgarland.com.
Pre-doctoral fellows will assist with the following duties: a) manuscript preparation from existing datasets; b) clinical data collection; c) psychophysiological data collection (autonomic and fMRI measures); c) data analysis; d) study coordination; and e) designing and implementing new translational research studies. Pre-doctoral fellows will have opportunities to coauthor scientific articles from existing primary datasets, as well as to conduct new research studies, leveraging the resources and interdisciplinary connections of the College of Social Work, which extend into Psychiatry, Psychology, Oncology, Public Health, Anesthesiology, Neuroscience, Family Medicine, Law, and Nursing, among other departments.
Required Qualifications: Dr. Garland is seeking doctoral applicants with a MSW, strong writing and analytical skills, and clinical experience working with persons suffering from mental health problems, addictive behaviors, and/or chronic pain and other health conditions. Applicants must also apply to the doctoral program in social work.
Preferred Qualifications: Applicants with a LCSW, previous experience with quantitative data analysis, computer programming, psychophysiological data collection/analysis, and/or previous study coordination experience on federally-funded studies will be given preference. Mindfulness practice experience preferred.
College, University, and Environment: As a major research and teaching university—and the flagship of the Utah System of Higher Education—the University of Utah strives to create an academic environment in which the highest standards of scholarship, professional practice and teaching are observed. The University is located in Salt Lake City, at the base of the Wasatch Mountains, providing ready access to world class outdoor recreational opportunities.
The University of Utah College of Social Work has a number of excellent research facilities, including the state-of-the-art Bridge Training Clinic, consisting of four therapy rooms with one-way mirrors and videotaping capacity for behavioral observation and coding, as well as a Social Work Neuroscience Laboratory for assessment of neurocognitive and neuroaffective mechanisms of therapeutic change.
Application Process:
Review of applications will begin immediately and the position will be open until filled. Applicants should provide cover letter, curriculum vitae, list of three professional references, and published writing sample(s).
Inquiries regarding the position may be directed to Dr. Christina Gringeri, Director of Doctoral Studies, cgringeri@socwk.utah.edu, 801-581-4864.
The University of Utah is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and educator. Minorities, women, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply. Veteran’s preference. Reasonable accommodations provided. For additional information: http://w3ww.regulations.utah.edu/humanResources/5-106.html.
