The Institute of Child Development at the University of Minnesota offers NIMH-funded postdoctoral training via a T32 Institutional Training Grant. The grant supports two two-year postdoctoral traineeship during 2023-2025.
Specialized training is available in:
- Neuroimaging and in multi-level (genetic, neurobiological, behavioral and experiential) basic, translational, and clinical research in the development of cognitive and emotional processes that are dysregulated in mental disorders;
- longitudinal research that charts the emergence and change in emotional and behavioral problems of children who are at high risk of developing mental disorders in order to facilitate identification, prevention, intervention and treatment; and
- Developing and testing better preventive interventions for children at high risk for developing psychopathology.
Preference is given to applicants who are conducting research relevant to understanding the development of psychopathology. Applicants do NOT need to be trained in child clinical psychology, although applicants in clinical with Ph.D’s or M.D’s are encouraged to apply. Applicants should be planning a career heavily involved in research, however.
Training
The training program is directed by Megan Gunnar, Regents Professor and fellow of the National Academy of Sciences, American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and the National Academy of Education, and is led by a group of internationally recognized faculty members with expertise in various sub-disciplines of developmental science, including child clinical psychology, developmental behavioral neuroscience/developmental psychobiology, socioemotional development, cognitive development, pediatrics, and prevention/intervention science. Each applicant must identify a primary mentor from among the faculty listed as internal faculty in their application to the program. Applicants then also list someone from the external faculty with whom they would like to cross train.
Applicants from ICD internal training faculty for the 2023-2025 fellowship include:
- Daniel Berry, EdD
- Stephanie Carlson, PhD
- Jed Elison, PhD
- Damian Fair, PhD
- Gail Ferguson, PhD
- Michael Georgieff, MD
- Megan Gunnar, PhD
- Ka Ip, PhD
- Melissa Koening, PhD
- Ann Masten, PhD
- Charisse Pickron
- Arthur Reynolds, PhD
- Glenn Roisman, PhD
- Katie Thomas, PhD
- Sylia Wilson, PhD
- Phil Zelazo, PhD
External training faculty include:
- Daheia Barr-Anderson, PhD (Kinesiology)
- Jeffrey Bishop, PharmD MS (Pharmacology)
- Sonya Brady, PhD (Epidemiology and Public Health)
- Kathryn Cullen, MD (Psychiatry)
- William Iacono, PhD (Psychology)
- Suma Jacob, MD, PhD (Psychiatry)
- Bonnie Klimes-Dougan, PhD, (Psychology)
- Robert Krueger, PhD (Psychology)
- Richard Lee, PhD, (Psychology)
- Monica Luciana, PhD (Psychology)
- Timothy Piehler, PhD (Psychology)
- Moin Syed, PhD (Psychology)
- Scott Vrieze, PhD (Psychology)
- Margaret Semrud-Clikeman, PhD, LP, ABPdN, (Pediatrics: Clinical Behavioral Neuroscience)
- Niels Waller, PhD (Psychology)
The core of the postdoctoral program is the research training. Trainees plan and execute their research studies with a primary mentor. Between 75 and 80 percent of the trainee’s time is spent in research, which consists of both collaborative work with mentor(s) and independent research.
Course work is minimal (no more than one per semester) for the postdoctoral trainees and tailored according to which type of cross-training they need. They will attend lab and reading group meetings. Postdoctoral trainees will take a grant writing seminar and will write an R21, R01, or K01 grant during their time in the program.
In addition, each trainee is expected to attend sessions of the biennial “Minnesota Symposia on Child Psychology,” The T32 seminar which meets every other week and is led by Megan Gunnar, and weekly colloquia in the Institute of Child Development, without regard to subject matter.
Postdoctoral trainees are expected to present their work at the weekly colloquia at least once per year. Attendance at annual meetings of relevant professional societies is encouraged and supported by the training grant.
About ICD
The Institute of Child development holds a unique position as an internationally known, premier center of research in developmental science and the application of the science to improving the quality of human life. It was founded in 1925 with the goal of fostering the welfare of our nation’s children. Throughout its long history, the Institute has always been a leader in the field. It was a seminal site in the establishment of developmental psychopathology as a subfield and that focus has continued and strengthened in the decades since. The Institute also has led the field in integrating developmental psychobiology/neuroscience research into the study of normative and atypical development. There is growing interest in genetics, gene expression, and epigenetics. In addition, the Institute has led the field in multidisciplinary and translational research.
Eligibility
Preference is given to applicants conducting research relevant to developmental psychopathology. Preferred qualifications include:
- training and research productivity in behavioral/psychological/social sciences;
- strengths in statistical methods; and
- promise as a research scholar.
Fellows are expected to begin in August 2023 (date is somewhat flexible). A two-year commitment is required. The NIMH stipend will be commensurate with experience and consistent with University of Minnesota postdoctoral stipends. Doctoral degree must be completed by time of appointment. Applicant must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
Application
Submit curriculum vitae, statement of research interest(s) including with whom you want to work, graduate transcripts, three letters of recommendation, and a sample of published or in press theoretical or empirical work via email to Megan Gunnar, gunnar ( at ) umn.edu, Training Grant Director. Postdoctoral Applications will begin to be reviewed May 15, 2023.