Postdoctoral Research Fellow

Site: The McLean Hospital Corporation

Mass General Brigham relies on a wide range of professionals, including doctors, nurses, business people, tech experts, researchers, and systems analysts to advance our mission. As a not-for-profit, we support patient care, research, teaching, and community service, striving to provide exceptional care. We believe that high-performing teams drive groundbreaking medical discoveries and invite all applicants to join us and experience what it means to be part of Mass General Brigham.

Job Summary

Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Clinical Psychology / PTSD

McLean Hospital is a comprehensive psychiatric hospital committed to providing easy access to superior quality, cost-effective mental health services in the Boston area, Massachusetts, and beyond. Since 1811, McLean Hospital has been a world leader in the treatment of mental illness and chemical dependency, research into the causes of mental illness, and the training of generations of mental health care providers.

All McLean team members are expected to consistently demonstrate our values of integrity, compassion, respect, diversity, teamwork, excellence, and innovation in their work activities and interactions.

A Postdoctoral Research Fellow typically holds affiliations at McLean Hospital and Harvard Medical School.

There are many opportunities for education and professional growth within our multidisciplinary and collaborative research environment at McLean Hospital, which brings together clinicians, psychologists, neuroscientists, engineers, and statisticians.

Job Description

We are seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Clinical Psychology to join an NIH-funded clinical research study focused on the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

This is a two-year position, with the possibility of extension based on performance and mutual interest.

The fellow will work on the TREAT study (Trauma Recovery via EEG and Actigraphy Tracking), a randomized clinical study investigating treatment response in individuals with PTSD.

The fellow's primary responsibility will be to deliver Written Exposure Therapy (WET) to study participants according to the established treatment protocol. Formal training in Written Exposure Therapy will be provided by an expert in WET at the beginning of the fellowship, followed by ongoing clinical supervision and fidelity monitoring throughout the study.

Responsibilities

With supervision and guidance, responsibilities of the Postdoctoral Research Fellow will include

• Delivering Written Exposure Therapy (WET) to research participants with PTSD according to the study protocol.
• Participating in initial WET training provided by an expert in the intervention.
• Maintaining fidelity to the WET treatment protocol and participating in ongoing clinical supervision and fidelity monitoring.
• Maintaining accurate and timely documentation of treatment sessions and relevant clinical research records.
• Monitoring participant safety during treatment sessions and following established study procedures for communicating clinical or safety concerns to appropriate study personnel.
• Participating in clinical and research team meetings related to the study.
• Collaborating effectively with study clinicians, research staff, and the Principal Investigator.
• Contributing to the interpretation and dissemination of study findings.
• Presenting research findings at laboratory meetings and national or international scientific conferences.
• Contributing to and leading preparation of research manuscripts for peer-reviewed journals.
• Assisting with preparation of grant applications and development of future research projects.
• Participating in professional development and research training opportunities available through McLean Hospital and Harvard Medical School.
• Other duties as assigned.

A Successful Candidate Will

• Work independently under the general direction of the Principal Investigator and clinical supervisors.
• Be motivated, reliable, organized, and detail-oriented.
• Demonstrate strong clinical skills and professionalism when working with individuals with PTSD.
• Demonstrate interest in trauma-focused psychotherapy and PTSD research.
• Be able to learn and consistently implement a manualized psychotherapy protocol.
• Demonstrate excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Possess strong written and oral scientific communication skills.
• Demonstrate good clinical judgment and the ability to appropriately communicate clinical or safety concerns.
• Work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary clinical research team.
• Demonstrate interest in developing their research and academic career through publications, presentations, and grant development.

Qualifications

Education

Required: PhD or PsyD in Clinical Psychology completed by the anticipated start date.

Candidates should have appropriate clinical training and experience providing psychotherapy. Experience working with individuals with PTSD or other trauma-related disorders is strongly preferred.

Experience

Prior clinical and research experience is required. Candidates should demonstrate scientific productivity through peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations, or other scholarly activities.

Prior experience with Written Exposure Therapy is not required. Formal WET training will be provided by an expert at the beginning of the fellowship, with ongoing supervision throughout the study.

Experience with PTSD, trauma-focused psychotherapy, exposure-based interventions, or clinical trials is preferred.

Supervisory Responsibility

The fellow may assist in mentoring research assistants, students, and other trainees involved in related laboratory research activities.

Working Conditions

Work will be performed within a multidisciplinary clinical research environment at McLean Hospital. The position involves direct interaction with research participants with PTSD and requires professionalism, reliability, careful adherence to treatment protocols, and collaboration with the study’s clinical and research teams.

Some scheduling flexibility may be required to accommodate participants’ treatment sessions.

Application

Interested applicants should submit the following materials

• A cover letter limited to one page , including one paragraph describing why this position and the TREAT study are a good fit for their future career goals
• Curriculum vitae
• Contact information for three professional references
• At least one first-author peer-reviewed publication (published or in press)

Please send application materials to

Mo Sendi, PhD

• Email: msendi@mclean.harvard.edu
• Please use the subject line: “Postdoctoral Research Fellow Application – TREAT Study”
• Additional Job Details (if applicable)

Physical Requirements

• Standing Frequently
• Walking Frequently
• Sitting Occasionally
• Lifting Frequently
• Carrying Frequently
• Pushing Occasionally
• Pulling Occasionally
• Climbing Rarely
• Balancing Frequently
• Stooping Occasionally
• Kneeling Occasionally
• Crouching Occasionally
• Crawling Rarely
• Reaching Frequently
• Gross Manipulation (Handling) Frequently
• Fine Manipulation (Fingering) Frequently
• Feeling Constantly
• Foot Use Rarely
• Vision - Far Constantly
• Vision - Near Constantly
• Talking Constantly
• Hearing Constantly

The salary range for this position is $2,080 to $3,120,000 annually . At Mass General Brigham, we believe in recognizing and rewarding the unique value each team member brings to our organization. Our approach to determining base pay is comprehensive, and any offer extended will take into account your skills, relevant experience, education, certifications, and other essential factors. The base pay information provided offers an estimate based on the minimum job qualifications; however, it does not encompass all elements contributing to your total compensation package.

In addition to competitive base pay, we offer comprehensive benefits, career advancement opportunities, differentials, premiums, and bonuses as applicable, along with recognition programs designed to celebrate your contributions and support your professional growth. We invite candidates to apply, and our Talent Acquisition team will provide an overview of their potential compensation and benefits package.

Remote Type

Onsite

Work Location

115 Mill Street

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

Employee Type

Regular

Work Shift

Day (United States of America)

EEO Statement

1600 The McLean Hospital Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religious creed, national origin, sex, age, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation, military service, genetic information, and/or other status protected under law. We will ensure that all individuals with a disability are provided a reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. To ensure reasonable accommodation for individuals protected by Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Vietnam Veteran’s Readjustment Act of 1974, and Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, applicants who require accommodation in the job application process may contact Human Resources at (857)-282-7642.

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