Publications

Psychopharmacology and Substance Use News Editorial Policy (Newsletter Editor Kirsten E. Smith,

Ph.D.)

Psychopharmacology and Substance Use News is a thrice-yearly publication of Division 28. It is devoted to keeping members informed about the activities of Division 28 and to news and comments concerning all aspects of psychopharmacology and substance use. Articles, comments, announcements, and advertisements should be sent to the editor, Kirsten E. Smith ksmit@jh.edu

 

Current Newsletter (May, 2025)

 

From the President's Desk (Mikhail N. Koffarnus, Ph.D.):

In writing my first newsletter column as Division 28 President, I’m struck with a contrast in emotions. For me personally, serving Division 28 as President is a source of great pride and gratitude, but this is also a time of deep concern for science and truth in this country. The political environment is increasingly fraught, and as scientists, educators, and advocates for evidence-based psychological practice and policy, we are not immune to its effects. Many of our members have been personally affected by the wave of cancellations of funding and elimination of important positions in the public sector, and we are all affected by the erosion of trust in science as a source of unbiased information. Yet, even in the face of uncertainty, I am heartened by the resilience of our community and the potential for our upcoming gathering at the APA annual meeting this August.

Over the past few months, we have witnessed a troubling erosion of the systems and agencies that support science and the next generation of scientists. Political rhetoric has cast doubt on well-established research and funding for critical scientific initiatives has come under threat. In some cases, scientists have faced censorship or pressure to alter findings that conflict with political positions. These developments are dangerous. They undermine the very foundation of informed decision-making and threaten the progress we have worked so hard to achieve.

Additionally, the politicization and diminishment of science has had a chilling effect on early-career researchers, many of whom are questioning their place in a system that seems increasingly hostile to inquiry and with few opportunities. It is natural at this time to worry about a future in science, both in terms of dwindling job prospects, but also for the ability to choose one’s research focus based on personal interest and pressing needs of society.

Despite these challenges, however, I remain hopeful. Our community has shown resilience and the willingness to fight for our science to remain free of influence and at the forefront of public health and policy. Our researchers are stepping up to defend the integrity of their work, to engage with the public, and to advocate for policies grounded in evidence. Due to these challenges, I am looking forward to our annual meeting this August not just as a chance to share new findings, but as a reaffirmation of who we are and what we stand for.

This meeting highlights the power of our community to bring the best of our science to the forefront, but also to organize, network, and share strategies for navigating this new environment. I encourage each of you to come to the meeting not only with your data and your posters, but with your questions, your concerns, and your ideas. Let this be a space where we can speak honestly about the challenges we face, where we can find strength in one another, and where we reaffirm our commitment to scientific integrity, inclusivity, and the public good.

In closing, I want to thank you for your work, your passion, and your perseverance. These are not easy times, but they are times that call for exactly the kind of leadership and vision that our society embodies. I am proud to serve as your president, and I am more committed than ever to ensuring that our society remains a source of scientific excellence, integrity, and hope. I look forward to seeing many of you at the annual meeting. Until then, let us continue to support one another, to speak out when we are able, and to never lose sight of the transformative power of science. 

- Micky

2025 APA Convention Update (William Middleton, Ph.D.)

Please join us for this year’s annual APA convention to take place in Denver, Colorado from August 7th to 9th, 2025.

I’d like to thank all of the Division 28 members for submitting and reviewing our program submissions! We would not be able to develop such high-quality programming each year without the hard work of our reviewers.

This year’s Division 28 program features a selection of excellent science spanning topics from behavioral economics to psychedelic research. As our scheduling hours were limited this year, we appreciate Division 50 (Society of Addiction Psychology) for co-listing many relevant sessions and welcoming Division 28 conference goers. We highly encourage our attendees to visit our three symposia, our awards ceremony to highlight our excellent fellows, and attend Division 50-sponsored sessions.

This year’s divisional symposia include:

• Behavioral Economics of Drug Demand: Bridging Abuse Liability and Public Policy

• Psychedelics and Recovery from Addictive Disorders: Recent Experimental and Observational Findings

• Integrating Cannabis Policy Changes into Health Care Practice and Research

We are also holding a poster session as well as several award presentations to highlight the outstanding researchers who are making valuable contributions to our field. This includes the NIDA/NIAAA Early Career Poster Session and Social Hour (co-sponsored by Division 28 and Division 50), which is an excellent networking opportunity for young researchers (and it’s catered!).

In addition, current Division 28 President, Dr. Mikhail Koffarnus, will give his Presidential Address.

A special thanks to Dr. Austin Zamarripa for all his work as Program Chair last year, and I am excited to see everyone in Denver!

2025 Division 28 Award Winners (Justin C. Strickland, Ph.D.)

I am delighted to announce the 2025 Division 28 Award Winners. Please join me in congratulating the awardees and consider joining us at the Convention in Denver to celebrate in person, learn about the work of our award winners, and congratulate them on their hard work and achievements.

MED Associates Brady-Schuster Award

This award honors a mid-career or senior scientist who conducts outstanding research underscoring the fundamental importance of behavioral science to psychopharmacology or substance use. Brady-Schuster Award nominations are evaluated on a sustained record (of at least 15 years past doctoral degree) of substantial contributions in the areas of scientific research, mentorship, and service.

William Stoops, Ph.D.
This year’s winner of the MED Associates Brady-Schuster Award is Dr. William W. Stoops.

Dr. Stoops is the William R. Willard Professor in Behavioral Science, with appointments in the Departments of Behavioral Science, Psychiatry, and Psychology, as well as the Center on Drug and Alcohol Research at the University of Kentucky. He received his bachelor's degree in psych

ology from Davidson College and his master's degree and Ph.D. in Experimental Psychology from the University of Kentucky.

As a principal investigator, he has been continuously funded by the National Institutes of Health since 2008. Dr. Stoops’ research uses human laboratory and clinical trial methods to understand the behavioral and pharmacological factors contributing to substance use disorder, focusing mainly on cocaine use disorder.

Based on his research contributions, Dr. Stoops has been awarded the Outstanding Dissertation Award and Young Psychopharmacologist Award from Division 28 and the Joseph Cochin Young Investigator Award from the College on Problems of Drug Dependence.

He also has a long history of leadership at the University of Kentucky and in the field. At the University of Kentucky, he is the Associate Vice President for Research Integrity, associate director of the Regulatory Knowledge and Support Core in the Center for Clinical and Translational Science, and associate director for clinical research in the Substance Use Research Priority Area.

He is a Past President and Council Representative of Division 28 and a Past President and current Treasurer of the College on Problems of Drug Dependence. For his research and service leadership, he received an APA Presidential Citation in 2021.

Dr. Stoops has been a steadfast leader within Division 28 and APA more broadly, and we congratulate him on this well-deserved recognition!

Early Career Psychopharmacologist Award

The Early Career Psychopharmacologist Award nominations are evaluated on the overall body of accomplishments during the early career stage (within 10 years of doctoral degree), as indicated by activity and engagement in the scientific research enterprise, as well as the investigator’s potential to continue to make impactful and substantive contributions.

Meredith Berry, Ph.D.

This year’s Early Career Psychopharmacologist winner is Dr. Meredith S. Berry.

Dr. Berry joined the Department of Health Education and Behavior in 2018. As an experimental psychologist, she has several primary areas of research including:

1. Basic processes of operant reinforcement, learning, memory, and behavioral economics—often in the context of drug misuse and other health-related behaviors

2. The evaluation of abuse liability and behavioral and cognitive effects of various drugs

3. The intersection of human and environmental health, benefits of nature exposure, and environmental conservation

Closely related to her work on the intersection of human and environmental health, she is exploring novel applications of the benefits of nature exposure to issues of drug misuse. Her current focus on clinical drug misuse research stems from a foundation of preclinical and clinical training in behavioral pharmacology, and basic and translational behavioral research in decision-making and behavioral economics.

Before joining the University of Florida, Dr. Berry completed her postdoctoral training in the Behavioral Pharmacology Research Unit at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. She received her Ph.D. in Forest and Conservation Sciences at the University of Montana, her M.S. in Experimental Psychology from Utah State University, and her B.S. in Psychology from the University of Florida.

Dr. Berry continually engages in professional service, including serving as Program Chair for Division 28 (Psychopharmacology and Substance Abuse) of the American Psychological Association’s 2019 convention. She also serves on the Board of Editors or as an ad hoc reviewer for over twenty academic journals spanning preclinical and clinical research topics including behavior analysis, decision-making, behavioral economics, behavioral pharmacology, substance use and misuse, risky sexual behavior, conservation, and conservation psychology.

Dr. Berry is the recipient of numerous early-career scholarship and fellowship awards, including awards from the National Institute on Drug Abuse and the National Science Foundation, and her research is frequently covered in popular press outlets such as Scientific American, Pacific Standard Magazine, Fast Company Magazine, and The Huffington Post.

Congratulations, Dr. Berry!

Outstanding Dissertation Award

Outstanding Dissertation Award nominations are evaluated on the overall scientific merit of the dissertation project and the quality of the dissertation document, completed within the past two years.

Victoria (Tori) Votaw, Ph.D.

This year’s winner of the Outstanding Dissertation Award is Dr. Victoria (Tori) Votaw.

Dr. Votaw is a Clinician Investigator at McLean Hospital and an Instructor at Harvard Medical School. Her research focuses on improving treatment outcomes for substance use and co-occurring disorders using precision medicine approaches. Tori’s recent projects have aimed to validate core processes and phenotypes underlying substance use disorders to guide the development of personalized interventions.

This work has been supported by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, the Sarles Young Investigator Award for Research on Women and Addiction, and Harvard Medical School’s Zinberg and Livingston Fellowship Awards. In addition to her research, Tori delivers cognitive-behavioral and mindfulness-based therapies for a range of psychiatric conditions, including substance use disorders and emotional disorders.

Congratulations, Dr. Votaw!

For more information and a list of past recipients, please visit:

https://apadivision28.org/awards/apply 

 

Solicited Editorial: Division 28 Members Must Resist Anti-Scientific Policies and Advocate for Addiction Science

By Drs. Cassandra L. Boness & Katie Wikiewitz

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Since January 20, 2025, when the Trump Administration took office, there has been a series of drastic, anti-science administrative actions by the new Administration.

The Administration is attempting to censor scientists by banning the use of certain “forbidden terms” in peer-reviewed publications and by failing to review—or even terminating—grant applications that use such terms. Large epidemiological datasets that provide important information on substance use and related harms, such as the Youth Risk Behavior Survey, have been removed from public view. The office that has collected the National Survey on Drug Use and Health data has also been decimated by firing all staff, and it is unclear how these important data will be collected going forward.

Staff at critical governmental agencies, such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), have been terminated without explanation or notice. A recently leaked internal document from the Trump Administration suggests that there could be massive budget cuts for NIH soon.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Alcohol Program—a small office that managed data on alcohol-related deaths and harms and worked on policies to reduce them—was recently decimated along with its funding. The CDC Alcohol Program had allocated $6 million to state health departments, including ours in New Mexico, which has the highest rate of alcohol-related mortality in the nation. These funds supported efforts such as hiring epidemiologists to focus on reducing alcohol-related harm. At least 11 states will now face significant challenges in addressing harm due to alcohol use in their communities because of these cuts.

Such actions will have ripple effects on our society’s ability to address substance-related problems and substance use disorders—both significant public health concerns—for years to come. Universities and individual scientists working to reduce the harms associated with substance use and substance use disorders are also under direct attack. Over 200 grants, ranging from training fellowships to center grants, have been terminated. Grant reviews and funding decisions have been delayed. Investigators have not received additional years of their previously awarded funding.

All of this significantly impacts addiction prevention and treatment efforts, research progress, the retention of scientists and research staff, and higher education.

Additionally concerning is a recently released NIH notice. This notice states that the agency “reserves the right to terminate financial assistance awards and recover all funds” if recipients do not comply with the Administration’s prohibition on diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives or if they engage in “prohibited boycott.” This will effectively force universities to dismantle their diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts—as well as free speech protections—or risk their ability to obtain future NIH grants.

Such actions will have devastating impacts on people who use substances, as well as on prevention efforts, treatment accessibility and outcomes, and ongoing research. Indeed, a local community partner had to prematurely end an art workshop for people in recovery throughout the state of New Mexico due to federal funding cuts. This was devastating for the participants involved, especially those in more rural areas of the state who often do not have access to such activities.

The Administration’s actions have already had immense impacts on our colleagues and trainees. Former NIH staff have shared experiences of being surveilled and harassed by DOGE, as well as the trauma and betrayal of watching leadership do nothing to resist. Three-quarters of U.S. scientists have reported considering jobs outside of the United States. Trainees, such as Nina Christie, have shared what it has been like to watch American science be dismantled before their eyes and the toll it has taken on their well-being. Graduate students have been forced to seriously consider alternate career paths outside of those supported by the federal government and higher education due to fears about future stability. Current students have had their funding terminated, and prospective students have had their graduate school offers rescinded altogether.

The result of these actions will be the loss of talented colleagues working to address substance use in our communities, as well as the loss of early career researchers—especially those from underrepresented backgrounds—jeopardizing the future of addiction science for years to come.

As a field and as Division 28 members, we must work together to collectively resist these administrative actions and advocate to protect the future of addiction science.

There are many ways to advocate, both as an organization and as individuals. We have included a few examples below:

• Tap into networks and coalitions working tirelessly to advocate for science, including the American Psychological Association’s Advocacy Network and the Addiction Science Defense Network. These networks can help support critical advocacy efforts such as:

  • Collecting stories on the impacts of the Administration’s actions to share with representatives on your behalf

  • Generating collective statements of concern related to censorship and NIH indirect cost caps

  • Providing resources for locating and contacting your representatives

• Participate in demonstrations and protests to advocate for science. Public demonstrations are a vital tool for raising awareness, showing solidarity with specific issues and communities, and demanding accountability from institutions and policymakers. Your presence helps amplify underrepresented voices and signals the urgency of sustained action.

• Share your story with the public. Consider using social media, talking directly with the media, and writing opinion pieces to share your research and its broader impacts on the community. There are many resources available, such as Science Homecoming and the Scholar’s Strategy Network, to support you in these efforts.

We encourage you to actively consider how you might engage in collective resistance and advocacy to protect our field, fight for those impacted by substance use and substance use disorders, and prevent political interference and censorship in science. Such efforts have never been more important.

Division 28 Membership Information (Justin Yates, Ph.D.)

Individual Memberships

Division 28 is committed to:

• Basic and Applied Research

• Undergraduate, Graduate, and Postdoctoral Training

• Evidence-Based Clinical Practice

• Public Service and Advocacy

We accept both APA members and non-members, and offer multiple membership levels for students, early career psychologists (terminal degree within the past 7 years), and regular members.

Members receive a thrice-yearly newsletter and are eligible for one of three annual awards:

• Outstanding Dissertation Award

• Early Career Psychopharmacologist Award

• MED Associates Brady-Schuster Award

See previous award winners on our Division 28 awards page. Please consider joining or renewing your membership!

For more information, contact our Membership Chair, Dr. Justin Yates at:
yatesj1@nku.edu
or visit our Division 28 membership page.

Corporate Affiliate Memberships

Corporate contributions support efforts in research, practice, and education. A recommended membership contribution of $1,000 is tax-deductible. All corporate contributions are tax-exempt, and our tax number is available upon request. Other levels of support are also welcome and appreciated.

Corporate Affiliate Members receive the following benefits:

• Access to the Division 28 newsletter (published three times yearly)

• Acknowledgement of support with corporate logo in the newsletter

• Hyperlinked newsletter acknowledgement posted publicly on the Division 28 website

• Recognition of corporate support at the annual APA membership meeting

• Liaison(s) eligible to subscribe to the Division 28 members-only listserv

• Liaison(s) eligible to participate in Division 28's active and growing social media presence

• Overview of relevant programming at the APA Convention

For questions regarding Corporate Affiliate Membership, contact:

• Dr. Mikhail Koffarnus (Division 28 President): koffarnus@uky.edu

• Dr. Evan Herrmann (Division 28 Treasurer): evan.herrmann@nih.gov

Psychopharmacology and Substance Use News Editorial Policy (Kirsten E. Smith, Ph.D.)

Psychopharmacology and Substance Use News is the thrice-yearly publication of Division 28. It is dedicated to keeping members informed about Division activities and providing news and commentary on all aspects of psychopharmacology and substance use.

Submissions including articles, comments, announcements, and advertisements should be directed to the editor:

Dr. Kirsten E. Smith at ksmit@jh.edu

Explore past content from archived Division 28 newsletters here.

For inquiries related to Division 28 social media, please contact:
Cianna Piercey at Cianna.Piercey@colostate.edu

A New Hub for Addiction Science in Maryland (Kirsten E. Smith, Ph.D.)

In 2023, the School of Medicine within the University of Maryland (UMB) established the Kahlert Institute for Addiction Medicine to confront the generational challenge of addiction. The Institute bridges the Departments of Neurobiology and Psychiatry to foster a multidisciplinary approach to solving addiction. Faculty members bring deep expertise in cutting-edge bench science techniques, human laboratory and randomized clinical trials, and exceptional clinical programs and implementation science—uniquely positioning the Institute to apply translational techniques that advance the science of addiction From Discovery to Recovery.

The Kahlert Institute for Addiction Medicine is currently expanding its research capacity. Under the direction of inaugural director Dr. Kelly Dunn, Ph.D., MBA, the team is developing research priorities and building bridges between the School of Medicine and the neighboring Schools of Dentistry, Law, Nursing, Pharmacy, and Social Work. The Institute is also working closely with the University of Maryland Medical Center and VA hospitals—all located within a three-block radius.

Associate Directors include Drs. Sarah Kattakuzhy (M.D.), Mary Kay Lobo, and Eric Weintraub. New core faculty members include Drs. Cecilia Bergeria, Peter Manza, and Summer Thompson. Collectively, this team is building research portfolios in:

• Human behavioral pharmacology

• GLP-1 medications

• Cannabinoids and pregnancy

• Opioid treatment targets

• Ketamine therapy

• Contributions of gut microbiota to drug use disorder

These efforts are supported by long-standing programs of excellence within the Departments of Neurobiology and Psychiatry, as well as collaborations with the UMB Institute for Health Computing, the Institute for Genome Science, and the UM-MIND Neuroscience Institute.

The Institute will soon occupy the 5th floor of the Health Sciences Research Facility III building on the UMB campus, where the colocation of clinical and basic scientists is designed to foster transdisciplinary opportunities and innovation.

Now Hiring: Join the Team

The Kahlert Institute is actively recruiting tenure-track or tenured basic science faculty at the Assistant or Associate Professor rank. New faculty will work alongside basic and clinical research teams to advance the Institute’s broader mission of enhancing the science of addiction medicine.

Areas of interest include:

1. Mechanisms to inform therapeutic development

2. Pain

3. Polysubstance exposure

4. Core mechanisms underlying drug exposures and consequences

Learn more and apply here.

Follow and Connect

Stay connected with the Kahlert Institute for Addiction Medicine on LinkedIn, X, and Bluesky

For more information, visit:
https://addiction.umaryland.edu/

 

Training and Career Announcements

VERMONT CENTER ON BEHAVIOR AND HEALTH

POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCH FELLOWSHIPS

The Vermont Center on Behavior and Health (VCBH) located at the University of Vermont (UVM) Larner College of Medicine (LCOM) announces one predoctoral and two NIH postdoctoral research fellowship opportunities in our internationally-recognized center of excellence for substance use disorder research.

Working with Stephen T. Higgins, PhD, one postdoctoral fellow will lead research on addictions in vulnerable populations. Working with Stacey C. Sigmon, PhD, one predoctoral and one postdoctoral fellow will help to lead research addressing illicit opioid use and other health behaviors in a variety of adult populations, with a particular focus on rural populations. Drs. Higgins, Sigmon, and our more than 30-year training program have an exceptional track record of helping fellows establish successful careers as independent investigators.

Eligibility: Applicants must have completed their training in psychology or a related discipline and be U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Outstanding trainees are selected on the basis of scholastic record, productivity and commitment to a career in substance use disorder research. Individuals must be highly motivated, possess initiative, and a strong desire to learn and expand their interests and expertise.

Appointment: 4–5 years for predoctoral, 2–3 years for postdoctoral
Benefits: Stipend and travel funds supported by an NIH Institutional Training Award

For more information: Contact Dr. Higgins (stephen.higgins@uvm.edu), Dr. Sigmon (stacey.sigmon@uvm.edu), or Associate Training Director Sarah H. Heil, PhD (sarah.heil@uvm.edu).

To apply for the predoctoral fellowship: See UVM’s Department of Psychological Science page (https://www.uvm.edu/cas/psychology/phd-program-application-process).
Application deadline: 12/1/23

To apply for the postdoctoral fellowships: Send an application form (available by request from Dr. Heil), cover letter, curriculum vitae, statement of research interests, and three letters of reference to Dr. Heil.

About us: VCBH, established in 2013, is an interdisciplinary center of research excellence committed to investigating relationships between personal behavior patterns (i.e., lifestyle) and risk for chronic disease and premature death. Unhealthy or risk behaviors are overrepresented among socioeconomically disadvantaged populations and are major contributors to the problem of health disparities. VCBH’s work seeks to develop effective interventions and policies to promote healthy behavior. The VCBH resides within the UVM LCOM Department of Psychiatry, with additional investigators, collaborators, and advisors across 15 LCOM academic departments, seven UVM colleges, and five other universities. The VCBH is further strengthened by interdisciplinary collaborations with key community healthcare leaders and distinguished scientific advisory panels.

Burlington, Vermont is located in the beautiful Lake Champlain region and has continually been voted one of the nicest cities in which to live as well as one of America’s most “fit” cities due to the four seasons of outdoor activities. Burlington is a great place for families, boasting excellent schools, a culturally-rich environment, and close proximity to Boston and Montreal.

UVM is especially interested in candidates who can contribute to the diversity and excellence of the academic community through their research, teaching, and/or service. Applicants are requested to include in their cover letter information about how they will further this goal.
UVM is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other category legally protected by federal or state law. UVM encourages applications from all individuals who will contribute to the diversity and excellence of the institution. Applications will be accepted until the positions are filled.

JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY

BLOOMBERG SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH’S DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH
POSTDOCTORAL FELLOW

An exciting postdoctoral fellowship opportunity is available at Johns Hopkins University within the Bloomberg School of Public Health’s Department of Mental Health. This fellowship will provide advanced multidisciplinary training to postdoctoral researchers and prepare fellows for positions in academia, government, and consulting. Training includes, but is not limited to, mentored research, manuscript and grant-writing, and conference presentation experiences.

The postdoctoral fellow will work on the “Development of a Longitudinal Observational Research Registry for the Study of Medicinal Cannabis Use and Health” project funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The fellow will work closely with study PIs Drs. Ryan Vandrey and Johannes Thrul and an interdisciplinary team to address a range of research questions related to the health effects of medicinal cannabis use. Duties will include, but are not limited to, developing protocols, overseeing research data collection, and preparing scientific reports and presentations. More information on the project can be found at: https://reporter.nih.gov/search/v_Hv02-QGUurwgnT91Rqjg/project-details/10741486

Fellows receive a competitive salary and benefits based on the NIH scale. Appointment is for one year initially, with possibility for extension. Relocation to Baltimore will be required.

Qualifications: Excellent communication, organizational, and time-management skills are a must. Research training and data analysis experience is required. Expertise with quantitative analysis is required. A PhD or other terminal degree in public health, psychology, social sciences, or a related discipline is required.

We aim for an inclusive workplace and welcome applications from members of groups that are traditionally underrepresented in science including people with disabilities, members of the LGBTQ+ and/or Black, Indigenous, and other communities of color.

How to Apply: Applicants should submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae, writing sample, and three references to Dr. Johannes Thrul (jthrul@jhu.edu). Applicants must also apply through the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Health website. See the Postdoctoral Programs webpage at https://publichealth.jhu.edu/academics/postdoctoral-programs/process-forappointing-postdoctoral-fellows for more information and a link to the application form.

Review of applications will start immediately and continue until the selected candidate is identified. Finalist interviews will take place following phone screening interviews.

JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY

SENIOR RESEARCH ASSISTANT

The Department of Mental Health seeks a Sr. Research Assistant who, under the supervision of the PI, will be responsible for coordinating research activities and assisting with project management of the Digital Wellbeing in Saudi Arabia project. This research study will evaluate the impact of Internet, social media, and game use on the health of Saudi Arabian citizens, particularly youth and adolescents. Working closely with collaborators in Saudi Arabia and elsewhere, our team will (1) explore Internet and media use from a digital balance perspective to investigate how the Internet provides benefits as well as risks to wellbeing and (2) develop an intervention to promote digital balance.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities

• Assist in managing a multiphase international project, including coordination and implementation of planned preparation, research, and dissemination tasks.

• Assist with protocol development, study implementation and research dissemination support to complex studies, maintaining good working knowledge of all assigned tasks.

• Review, edit and finalize study-related documents (protocols, data collection materials, study SOPs) in collaboration with PIs and study teams.

• Supervise students in conducting literature reviews and data analysis.

• Plan, organize, and create meeting agendas, materials, and draft minutes for various meetings.

• Format abstracts/manuscripts and submit to conferences/journals. Track scientific conferences/events and facilitate participation of research team.

• Assist with recruitment of international stakeholders.

• Provide assistance in developing effective visualizations, posters, and presentations for scientific conferences and donor reporting.

• Assist research teams in performing quantitative as well as qualitative data analysis.

• Plan and co-produce translation and dissemination activities including social media posting, blogging, and arranging media interviews.

• Respond to job seeker inquiries and assess applicant CVs.

• Schedule and conduct initial interviews and request follow up meetings.

• Determine and track available studies for students to work on or manuscripts to assist with.

• Onboard student research assistant staff.

Special Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• The successful applicant will demonstrate strong project management skills and experience and an ability to work well with other professionals with minimal supervision.

• Project coordination/management experience in global sponsored projects a plus.

• Must be comfortable being part of a diverse professional team.

• Must be able to communicate effectively and have strong writing and editorial skills, strong organizational skills, and excellent attention to detail.

• Ability to function independently with a high degree of motivation essential.

• Ability to manage multiple and competing priorities; excellent time management skills.

• Knowledge of R, STATA, and/or Atlas.ti (or other qualitative analysis software), Dropbox/OneDrive (or other cloud storage solution), Slack, and Zotero (or other bibliographic management software).

• Ability to create and manage websites for the project.

Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor’s Degree in related discipline and two years of related experience. Additional graduate level education may substitute for required experience, to the extent permitted by the JHU equivalency formula.

Application Link: https://jobs.jhu.edu/job/Baltimore-Sr_-Research-Assistant-MD-21205/993151400/

NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DRUG ABUSE, INTRAMURAL RESEARCH PROGRAM

POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP – TRANSLATIONAL ADDICTION MEDICINE

The Real-world Assessment, Prediction, and Treatment (RAPT) Unit (https://irp.drugabuse.gov/staff-members/david-epstein/) is part of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) Intramural Research Program (IRP), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). We are recruiting a Postdoctoral Fellow. The workplace is the Translational Addiction Medicine Branch (TAMB), NIDA IRP, Baltimore, Maryland.

RAPT conducts human research, both on site at NIDA’s laboratory facilities and remotely via smartphone-based or online data collection. The Postdoctoral Fellow will be involved in a variety of projects, under the supervision and mentoring of Dr. David Epstein, Tenure-Track Clinical Investigator and Chief of RAPT. The Postdoctoral Fellow will focus on development and testing of content for a mobile intervention for substance-use disorders (SUDs)—specifically, what is sometimes called a JITAI (just-in-time adaptive intervention). This project is an outgrowth of RAPT’s ongoing work with smartphone-based EMA (ecological momentary assessment) and has been progressing through initial formative research—specifically, in-depth interviews with members of relevant populations. The Postdoctoral Fellow will be expected to continue the project but also to extend it creatively, addressing their own specific research questions and their own broad vision of what mobile interventions should do.

This endeavor will require a strong background in both the phenomenology and the treatment of SUDs. It will also benefit from a degree of skepticism about mobile interventions (skepticism sufficient to improve them and to acknowledge limitations in success). The ideal candidate will have the critical-thinking skills needed to develop a research protocol (most likely a microrandomized field study of different types of momentary JITAI content, though this can be negotiated), present data, and develop and publish papers, and also a strong capacity for empathetic personal interactions with research participants.

A Ph.D., M.D., or equivalent degree is required. The fellowship is open to US and foreign citizens. The selected candidate will have access to lectures, educational, mentoring, and grant training opportunities at the RAPT and TAMB levels, the NIDA IRP level, and NIH-wide.

To apply: Send current CV, a statement of research background and interests, and at least 3 reference contacts to:
David Epstein, Ph.D.
Email: david.epstein@nih.gov

The NIH is dedicated to building a diverse community in its training and employment programs. DHHS and NIH are Equal Opportunity Employers.

MCLEAN HOSPITAL / HARVARD MEDICAL SCHOOL

POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP IN TRANSLATIONAL PHARMACOLOGY

A postdoctoral position is available in the Kangas Lab within the Behavioral Biology Program at McLean Hospital / Harvard Medical School. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to work with a multidisciplinary team on diverse pursuits in behavioral pharmacology.

The selected candidate will participate in preclinical studies of laboratory animals examining:

1. NIMH funded studies of reverse translational behavioral and electrophysiological methods in psychedelic medications development for treatment-resistant neuropsychiatric illness.

2. NIDA funded longitudinal studies of adolescent Δ9-THC exposure on complex behavioral processes and associated neuroimaging endpoints.

3. DoD funded studies of strategies to mitigate the consequences of acute and chronic exposure to nerve agent analogs and cholinergic toxins related to modern chemical warfare.

4. NASA funded risk assessment studies of exposure to spaceflight stressors, such as galactic cosmic radiation, altered gravity, sleep fragmentation, isolation, and confinement.

Desirable skills:
The ideal candidate will be a recent Ph.D. with a relevant background (pharmacology, experimental psychology, neuroscience, or a related field).

• Experience with in vivo pharmacology techniques (i.v. drug self-administration, drug discrimination, touchscreen cognition), electrophysiological approaches (EEG), and/or aseptic surgeries.

• Proficiency in quantitative methods, computational modeling, machine learning, and/or programming (Matlab, Python).

• Candidates with a successful publication history will be given priority.

The selected candidate will be proposed for academic appointment as a Research Fellow in the Department of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. Salary and recruitment package will be determined in accordance with Hospital policies, and a Harvard Medical School appointment at the academic rank of Research Fellow will be contingent on meeting the requirements for an HMS appointment and candidate qualifications. The initial appointment will be for two years with possible extension pending satisfactory performance and funding availability.

To apply: Send a letter of interest, CV, writing sample, and a summary of career goals and objectives to:
Brian D. Kangas, Ph.D.
Director, Translational Behavioral Pharmacology Laboratory
Associate Director, Behavioral Biology Program, McLean Hospital
Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School
Email: bkangas@mclean.harvard.edu

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions or any other characteristic protected by law.

 

Past Newsletters

• 2023, Volume 1, Volume 2