Postdoctoral Fellowship in Eating Disorders and Behavioral Health - Metis Foundation

Eating Disorders and Behavioral Health in Military Populations

Behavioral Research Division, Military Cardiovascular Outcomes Research (MiCOR) Program

The Metis Foundation, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences

OVERVIEW: A Postdoctoral Fellowship position is available in the Behavioral Research division of the MiCOR program at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USU) in Bethesda, Maryland (start date flexible through early Fall 2025). Primary mentorship will be provided by Jason Lavender, PhD (MiCOR Director of Behavioral Research; Associate Professor), with secondary mentorship from Katherine Thompson, PhD (MiCOR Research Scientist; Assistant Professor).

The MiCOR program includes Behavioral and Biomedical Research divisions and is broadly focused on understanding and enhancing the health and well-being of military populations. Studies within the Behavioral Research division address behavioral, psychological, and socioemotional factors that contribute to eating disorders and mental health, as well as associated cardiovascular health risks. Members of the Behavioral Research team also regularly contribute to multi-disciplinary studies within the Biomedical Research division. All MiCOR studies are developed with military relevance in mind, and research populations include active-duty military personnel, retirees, and their dependents (including children and spouses), as well as civilians.

DUTIES AND OPPORTUNITIES: The MiCOR program is seeking a Postdoctoral Fellow with a doctoral degree in psychology (clinical, counseling, or health preferred, but any area will be considered). The successful applicant will take a leadership role for an ongoing national study of eating disorders and perceived barriers to diagnosis and treatment among active-duty Servicewomen, and will have additional opportunities for pursuing their specific research interests and contributing their knowledge in the development and implementation of other studies in MiCOR. The position will also involve various clinical research duties, including administration of semi-structured psychological interviews for behavioral and biomedical research studies, as well as assisting in supervising behavioral research coordinators. Fellows will have opportunities to propose and author peer-reviewed manuscripts and scientific conference presentations (including using existing datasets in the program), develop and implement their own independent research projects (with potential for program pilot funding), participate in educational and career development training, and workshops, and become involved in other ongoing research in the program.

The position offers a competitive full-time salary with excellent benefits. The successful candidate will be hired through The Metis Foundation, a 501c (3) organization to advance clinically relevant scientific research to the medical community, especially within the Department of Defense (DoD). A two-year commitment is requested.

SPECIFIC OPPORTUNITIES INCLUDE:

 - Research mentorship by experts in eating disorders, behavioral interventions, ecological momentary assessment, ambulatory physiological data collection, clinical trials, and multi-method research designs

- Training in semi-structured interviews focusing on disordered eating, general psychopathology, and other psychosocial domains

- Training in protocol development and grant writing

- Potential for program funding to support a pilot research project

- First and co-authorship of peer-reviewed manuscripts and scientific conference presentations

- Working and collaborating with a multi-disciplinary team of researchers and clinicians with expertise in clinical psychology, behavioral health, cardiology, and other biomedical disciplines

- Mentoring and supervising junior trainees and research staff

- Potential for growth and upward mobility within MiCOR or USU

QUALIFICATIONS:

(a) Required - A PhD or PsyD in psychology (if clinical or counseling, must be from APA-accredited graduate and internship programs) obtained by the start date for the position. Must be able to obtain applicable Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) certifications and meet requirements to obtain a DoD Common Access Card.

(b) Preferred (but not required) - Some prior research and/or clinical experience working with individuals with eating disorders, training in empirically-supported treatments, and/or experience working with military populations.

PHYSICAL CAPABILITIES: Long periods of sitting and occasionally escorting research participants within the workspace.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: Hybrid (onsite and offsite); some occasional evening and/or weekend hours are possible.

COMPENSATION: $60,000 - $65,000

BENEFITS:

• Metis Foundation offers Medical, Dental, and Vision benefits that are 100% employer-paid for all Metis Employee
• 11 paid holidays
• 1 Unrestricted Floating Holiday Annually 
• Up to 120 hours of Vacation Paid Time Off (10 hours/monthly)
• Up to 80 hours of Sick Paid Time Off (6.66 hours/ monthly)
• 5% 401K match for employees enrolled in the foundation's retirement plan. Employees are able to enroll 5 days after their first pay period cycle.

APPLICATION PROCESS: To apply, candidates for the position should use the form to the right and submit: (a) a cover letter addressing your research and clinical (if applicable) experiences, as well as your interest in and fit for the position; see attach cover letter); (b) a CV (see attach resume); (c) reprints of 3 scientific publications (see attach another file); and (d) 3 reference letters (see attach another file). Questions about the position can be sent to jason.lavender.ctr@usuhs.edu. The application deadline is November 15, 2025; applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis as they are received, with a deadline of November 15, 2024 (start date negotiable, likely summer/fall 2025).

The Metis Foundation is an equal opportunity and 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, or protected veteran status.

Any qualifications to be considered as equivalents, in lieu of stated minimums, require the prior approval of the Director of Human Resources.