Human Research on Drug Addiction

The Treatment Section of the Intramural Research Program (IRP), National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), a component of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), is recruiting for a postdoctoral fellow to work on clinical research projects. The projects include ecological momentary assessment (EMA), geospatial tracking / behavioral geography, and small clinical trials of behavioral and pharmacological interventions for addiction. We coordinate an outpatient clinic providing standard-of-care treatment for people with substance-use disorders (SUDs).  We chiefly see patients who use opioids and cocaine, but also some who use cannabis, alcohol, or other drugs. All patients at our clinic participate in research that is overlaid on their care. Our work is intended to improve care for people with SUDs, HIV, and hepatitis C.  Our goals include development of content for "just in time" ambulatory interventions, and predictive analytics to deliver that content when people need it. We are also using EMA to assess the real-world effectiveness of laboratory-based interventions. To maintain the translational value of our work, we collaborate with on-site colleagues who specialize in addiction neuroscience and animal modeling. The workplace is located in Baltimore, Maryland.

An M.D., Ph.D., or equivalent degree is required. The fellowship is open to U.S. and foreign citizens. The ideal candidate will have a Ph.D. (or M.D./Ph.D.) in a behavioral science such as psychology, pharmacology, sociology, public health, or behavioral neuroscience, or an M.D. with a residency in internal medicine, psychiatry, or family practice, and additional clinical research training (epidemiology, biostatistics, study design, etc.). She or he will help design studies that collect intensive longitudinal data including EMA as well as translational studies that clinically test preclinical findings.  Data management and analysis skills should be excellent, and a highly productive publication record is expected. Ability to meet deadlines and effectively coordinate multiple projects and tasks is a must. Some mentoring of postbaccalaureate fellows will be expected. The candidate will need to work independently and creatively (i.e., formulate compelling new research questions through synthesis of prior findings) and also work well as part of an interdisciplinary team.

Send a CV, statement of research background and interests, and 3 letters of recommendation to Dr. Karran Phillips at phillipsknida.nih.gov.

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