Description

A combined effort (Departments of Psychiatry, Pediatrics and Pediatric Neurology at the CU Anschutz Medical Campus along with Departments of Psychology & Social Work at the University of Denver, University of Colorado Boulder, and Colorado State University) offers postdoctoral research training for MDs and PhDs for research careers in developmental psychobiology, with special emphasis on the development of maladaptive behavior. This multi-disciplinary, multi-institutional translational program has a long history of involvement in developmental research. The Developmental Psychobiology Research Group (DPRG) includes researchers with productive career involvement as independent investigators of developmental research techniques, some of which are technologically unique. Subject populations have ranged from humans through murine to tissue culture models. Members from this group serve as the faculty for this research training program funded by NIMH T32MH015442, now in its 47th year. Addressing problems with clinical relevance are continually in the forefront of this translational program.

A two-year training program is offered, which includes a Core Curriculum to be completed by all trainees, seminar participation, and individual research in one or more faculty laboratories. Research training organizes around the identification, causes, natural progression, and treatment of developmental psychopathology. A particular emphasis of training is the development of multispecialty collaborations allowing for synergistic basic and clinical approaches to research. Training options are available in basic and molecular, biomarkers, genetics, neuroimaging, epidemiology, phenomenology, treatment, and intervention sciences for a variety of developmental psychiatric disorders including ADHD, aggression, conduct disorder, anxiety, autism, bipolar, depression, schizophrenia, and substance use disorder. A variety of vulnerable and minority populations—including pregnant women, children in foster care, children with co-morbid medical illnesses, Native American/Alaskan Native, and Hispanic participants—of varying ages, including infants through young adults and expectant mothers—participate in our research. Training for transition to research independence, including manuscript preparation and grant submission, are an emphasis of this program.

Requirements

Individuals with US Citizenship, non-citizen nationals, or those with a Permanent Resident Card who will have completed a doctoral degree (MD, PhD, PsyD, DVM) before their start date are eligible to apply. Physicians, including Child Psychiatrists, and individuals from groups underrepresented among scientific researchers are particularly encouraged to apply. Individualized development plans for training will be created for each trainee, in a joint effort among the trainee, faculty mentor, and program directors. Minimum requirements regarding manuscript submissions (at least 3 submitted during the postdoctoral training period) and grant submissions (at least one internal funding application within the first year and one external within the second year) are standard across the trainee group. Postdoctoral trainees are expected to attend DPRG-hosted seminars and training opportunities held twice per month, in addition to participation in a twice-monthly postdoctoral writing group and participating in bi-annual DPRG research retreats. Trainees will present their research at the DPRG seminars on an annual basis, in addition to participating in the Department of Psychiatry Poster Session each year. Training in the responsible conduct of research and in rigor and reproducibility in science will also be required.

Applications are due December 1, 2025. Please see our website for more information and all required materials.