The University of Maryland School of Social Work is seeking a postdoctoral fellow to begin no later than September 1, 2014. The fellowship provides an opportunity to join an existing research team conducting basic and intervention research related to risk and protective factors, early parenting, and infant/toddler socio-emotional development. The fellow will be provided time, space, and mentoring to develop his/her early career scholarship.

The postdoctoral fellow will work primarily with Dr. Lisa Berlin to analyze data from existing research projects, collaborate on empirical papers to submit to leading journals, and take an active role in an ongoing prevention research project (Buffering Children from Toxic Stress through Attachment-Based Intervention: An Early Head Start-University Partnership; Administration for Children and Families, 2011-2016; Co-PI’s Lisa Berlin and Brenda Jones Harden). The “Partners for Parenting” Project is a community-based randomized trial of Early Head Start services for low-income families with infants and toddlers. The trial examines the effects of home-based Early Head Start with and without a supplemental parenting intervention, the Attachment and Biobehavioral Catch-up (“ABC”) program. The postdoctoral fellow’s specific project-related responsibilities will include supervision of community-based collection of survey and physiological data, and assisting with the development and/or application of quantitative coding schemes.

The postdoctoral fellowship is a 12-month, full-time appointment. Reappointment for additional years may be possible, depending on the fellow’s performance and the availability of additional funds. Salary is commensurate with NIH guidelines for postdoctoral fellows. Benefits are also provided. See http://medschool.umaryland.edu/postdoc/ for more information on postdoctoral training and benefits at the University of Maryland, Baltimore.

The University of Maryland, Baltimore, located on 32 acres in downtown Baltimore, is known as the “Campus of the Professions” and comprised of seven professional schools (Social Work, Medicine, Nursing, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Law, and Graduate). Also located on campus is the University of Maryland Medical Center. The School of Social Work is one of the ten largest schools of Social Work in the country. Currently ranked 16th by U.S. News & World Report, the School has also been ranked 5th in the nation in publication productivity. The School’s extramurally funded research and training portfolio exceeded $25,000,000 last year. School centers and programs include the Ruth H. Young Center for Families and Children, the Institute for Innovation and Implementation, and the Maryland Longitudinal Data System Center.

Requirements:
A doctoral degree in Social Work, Human Development, Psychology, Early Education, or a related field is required. Applicants must have defended their dissertation prior to beginning the fellowship, and must be within three years of completing their doctorate. Preferred candidates will have:

  • Previous experience with community-based intervention and/or research with infants and toddlers
  • Strong organizational, time management, and interpersonal skills, including effective oral/written communication
  • Strong computer and quantitative analysis skills including ability to use statistical packages such as SPSS and MPlus and proficiency in navigating and maintaining databases using Excel, FileMakerPro, or similar packages Applicants with research interests and/or expertise in at-risk populations are especially desirable.
  • Preference will also be given to fluent Spanish speakers.

To Apply:

Please submit the following materials to lberlin@ssw.umaryland.edu:

  1. Cover letter describing training, skills, research interests, career aspirations, and how they fit with those of the postdoctoral fellowship
  2. Up-to-date CV
  3. Two writing samples
  4. Names and contact information for three references.

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until a suitable candidate is selected.

The University of Maryland, Baltimore is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national original, sexual orientation, gender, age disability, veteran status, political orientation or other characteristics.