Penn State University’s Child Maltreatment Solutions Network (solutionsnetwork.psu.edu) is now accepting applications for our 2-year NICHD-funded T32 (solutionsnetwork.psu.edu/t32-grant) post-doctoral fellowship in child maltreatment science. The training will allow fellows to specialize in several training tracks including a) Biology and Health, b) Developmental Processes, c) Prevention and Treatment, and d) Policy and Administrative Data Systems. This training is one of the few opportunities for new scholars to develop expertise across the wide spectrum of child maltreatment science.
Penn State University is also home to the NICHD P50 Capstone Center of Excellence in Child Maltreatment Research and Training – Penn State’s Translational Center for Child Maltreatment Studies and fellows would get the opportunity to work on several large-scale research projects, that include child welfare-involved youth, intervention and prevention projects as well as longitudinal studies on predictors of child maltreatment, youth and family outcomes, and child welfare data and services.
Fellows will benefit from the comprehensive, multi-level and transdisciplinary training program that seeks to develop transdisciplinary scholars. Postdoctoral fellows will work with a mentor team from a group of 13 faculty experts in child maltreatment. Fellows will also work with a set of secondary mentors from a group of 25 Penn State faculty with specialties including, but not limited to education, biology, genetics, treatment, human development, administrative data systems, social determinants of health, emotional and cognitive development, physical health, behavioral economics, and neuroscience. Fellows will be trained in research ethics, professional development, and grant writing, as well as gain experience in implementing research and translating findings to influence practice and policy within the child maltreatment field. Fellows will also get the opportunity to participate in a summer training institute on child maltreatment in partnership with other P50 Centers and attend P50 Center meetings at NIH. Women, minorities, protected veterans, LGBTQIA+ people, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
Although interest in any of the training tracks is welcome, this year, we are especially looking for applicants whose primary interest is in the Biology and Health training track. Applicants can learn more details about what each training track involves by reviewing the information on the website https://www.solutionsnetwork.psu.edu/t32- grant/t32-grant.
Mentors involved in the Biology and Health track have deep expertise in a number of relevant areas ranging from genetics, immunology, endocrinology, metabolomics, and neuroscience to psychophysiology and the use of wearable devices and EMA to connect child maltreatment to health-relevant everyday experiences. Depending on their interests, trainees will have the opportunity to tackle broad questions relating to connections between child maltreatment and morbidity and mortality, dig deep and conduct bench science in a wet lab, or anything in between. Relevant, hands-on training will be provided and prior experience is not necessary.
Preferred applicants will have a doctorate in a relevant area of study, excellent oral and written communication skills, and experience in conducting research and data analysis on child maltreatment research or related area. Start date for fellowship is flexible (ideally August 1, 2022). Interested applicants should send an email with a singular combined PDF including their curriculum vitae, a 5-page double-spaced statement of interest that includes their previous experience, career goals, and indicate two primary training tracks of interest and 1-2 preferred primary and up to 3 secondary mentors (please see website for specific application instructions), a writing sample, and two letters of recommendations by JANUARY 14, 2022 by 5:00 PM EST to Kimberley Ducato at kdd5024@psu.edu. Any questions about the T32 should be directed to the Director of Training, Yo Jackson, Ph.D., ABPP, Penn State University, Department of Psychology, yjackson@psu.edu.
Penn State is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer, and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.