Current Opportunities at Vanderbilt

A post-doctoral fellow is needed to join the laboratory of Dr. Julia Sheffield within the Vanderbilt Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences’ Psychotic Disorders Program. The post-doc will be primarily involved in the analysis of MRI data that was collected in individuals with schizophrenia as part of two major studies: 1) a clinical trial of psychotherapy for delusions, and 2) an NIH-funded study of predictive coding and decision-making processes. The Sheffield Lab uses a variety of approaches to understanding the cognitive, neurobiological and psychological mechanisms of psychotic symptoms (primarily delusions), including: neuroimaging, computational modeling, behavioral paradigms, clinical assessments, and longitudinal data analysis. The post-doc will be primarily responsible for analyzing data, writing manuscripts, and supporting the ongoing research in the lab, including a new R01-funded clinical trial supported by the NIMH. 

The post-doctoral fellow will be an integral part of the Sheffield Lab and broader Psychotic Disorders Program. They will regularly attend clinical and research meetings with a multidisciplinary team of psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, neuroscientists, statisticians, and engineers. They will have an opportunity to mentor trainees, including graduate students, residents, research assistants, and undergraduates. Clinical psychology applicants will have additional opportunities available for obtaining clinical hours towards licensure. 

The ideal candidate should be highly motivated and capable of working independently. Individuals with a background in neuroimaging and an interest in psychotic disorders are especially encouraged to apply. It is ideal for individuals with a PhD in psychology, neuroscience, or engineering. Some experience with scientific programming languages (e.g. MATLAB, R) is preferred but not required.

Please send a brief cover letter and CV to Julia.sheffield@vumc.org. Applications will be considered on an ongoing basis and the start date is flexible. Do not hesitate to reach out with any questions!