Affective Science Postdoctoral Fellow Position Available

The Center for Behavioral Cardiovascular Health (CBCH) at Columbia University Irving Medical Center is currently seeking candidates for a postdoctoral research position focusing on emotions and health. CBCH thrives by embracing a collectivist, multidisciplinary, team-science approach of sharing resources, expertise, and creativity, to produce ground-breaking behavioral medicine research. Areas of focus include cardiovascular behavioral medicine, implementation science, applied hypertension research, physical activity/exercise physiology, sleep and circadian rhythms, and psychosocial factors in relation to health and disease.

This position will be based in Dr. Jeffrey Birk’s Emotion and Health Lab within CBCH. The fellow will have the opportunity to contribute to NIH-funded research investigating the role of positive and negative psychological factors (e.g., positive affect, optimism, purpose in life, posttraumatic symptoms, depressive symptoms) in health behaviors (e.g., physical activity, sleep, medication adherence) and long-term recovery outcomes in patients who have survived acute medical events (e.g., acute coronary syndrome, cardiac arrest). The fellow will work with methodologies related to ecological momentary assessment of emotions, ambulatory measurement of cardiac activity (e.g., heart rate, heart rate variability), and actigraphy-based measurement of physical activity and sleep. The position entails working on publications related to projects recently completed as well as ongoing data collection.

In addition to gaining direct mentorship from Dr. Birk, the postdoctoral fellow will receive additional, ongoing mentorship from the fellowship co-directors. The PhD-trained fellow will work alongside MD-trained fellows who are recruited through clinical fellowships at Columbia University Irving Medical Center. Fellows will have the opportunity to interact with some of the innovative labs and Centers within CBCH, including the Implementation Science Lab, the Physical Activity, Sleep, and Health Lab, and the Columbia Roybal Center for Fearless Behavior Change. The CBCH fellow will be provided with office space within CBCH, in the hub of the medical campus of Columbia University Irving Medical Center. Accordingly, the fellow will also have opportunities for direct involvement in studies that are enrolling patients from our hospital floors and outpatient clinics.

At CBCH our goal is to work together as a collective (faculty, administration, and staff) to advance shared values and goals, with a strong commitment to developing and implementing concrete steps to combat institutional racism and promote social justice. More information can be found here: https://www.columbiacardiology.org/research/research-centers-and-programs/center-behavioral-cardiovascular-health/edi-keeping-momentum

More information about the fellowship, including details of CBCH investigators and funded/ongoing projects can be found at: https://www.columbiacardiology.org/research/research-centers-and-programs/center-behavioral-cardiovascular-health/cbch-post-doctoral-fellowship-program

Qualifications:

• Completion of PhD or comparable doctoral degree by the fellowship program start date.
• Training in psychology research or a related discipline with a preferred focus on affective, experimental, or social psychology.
• Prior experience with clinical/patient-oriented or behavioral research is preferred.
• Strong computational and statistical skills are preferred.
• Strong interpersonal skills, as well as oral and written communication skills, including a record of work in research settings (e.g., presentations, publications, grants, etc.).
• Demonstrated willingness to work as part of a team.
• Strong commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

The fellowship position start date is negotiable; preferred start date would be between June and September 2023. The position is full-time for one year with the possibility for renewal for an additional 1-2 years contingent upon performance review. Annual salary is consistent with NIH guidelines. Health benefits are provided.

To apply for the CBCH Fellowship please send your CV and a personal statement outlining relevant experience, accomplishments, research interests and goals, and fit with the research program described. to Dr. Ari Shechter, email: as4874@cumc.columbia.edu, Director of the CBCH Post-Doctoral Fellowship Program. More information about the fellowship can be found at: https://www.columbiacardiology.org/research/research-centers-and-programs/center-behavioral-cardiovascular-health/cbch-post-doctoral-fellowship-program