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Our Commitment

Texas A&M University is committed to enriching the learning and working environment by promoting a culture that respects all perspectives, talents & lived experience. Embracing varying opinions and perspectives strengthens our core values which are: Respect, Excellence, Leadership, Loyalty, Integrity, and Selfless Service.

Who We Are

The Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences is engaged in research that falls into all five graduate areas of specialization:

• Behavioral and Cellular Neuroscience

• Clinical Psychology

• Cognition and Cognitive Neuroscience Psychology

• Industrial/Organizational Psychology

• Social & Personality Psychology

In addition to the Department of Psychological and Brain Science’s 5 areas of specialization, we have overlapping research interests that bridge traditional areas of psychology. These primary research themes include: Affective Science; Neuroscience; Personality and Individual Differences. To learn more please visit our site at https://liberalarts.tamu.edu/psychology/research/

What We Want

The overarching mission of the Trauma and Stress Studies Center (TaSSC), led by Dr. Anka Vujanovic, is to improve the health and well-being of adults who have experienced traumatic life events or who suffer from posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and/or co-occurring conditions, such as substance use and suicidal thoughts and behaviors . We have several research goals:

• We are interested in the investigation of risk and maintenance processes for subclinical and full (diagnostic) PTSD , particularly those that may be targeted via cognitive-behavioral strategies, so as to develop novel intervention approaches or improve engagement with or outcomes of extant evidence-based treatments.

• We are dedicated to the examination of biopsychosocial mechanisms underlying the highly prevalent co-occurrence of posttraumatic stress and substance use disorders so as to inform treatment development and refinement efforts for this difficult-to-treat population.

• We are interested in examining clinical correlates of suicide risk among various trauma-exposed populations, including college students, first responders, military veterans, and treatment-seeking adults, so as to inform the development of evidence-based suicide risk assessments and prevention programs .

The Postdoctoral Research Associate will receive specialized clinical training in implementing trauma-focused, integrated psychotherapies for adults with PTSD and co-occurring substance use disorders (SUD). The Postdoctoral Research Associate will work on an ongoing NIH-funded clinical trial examining integrative manualized treatment using cognitive processing therapy (CPT) to treat PTSD and cognitive behavioral therapy to treat SUD. This project also offers additional points of advanced multidisciplinary training, including work with first responders and ecological momentary assessment (EMA) methodologies. If this job description sounds interesting to you, we invite you to apply to be considered for this opportunity.

For more information, please contact Dr. Anka Vujanovic ( avujanovic@tamu.edu ) or Research Program Coordinator Kayla Hall, M.S. ( kaylahall@tamu.edu ).

What You Need to Know

Salary Range: Compensation will be commensurate to selected hire's experience.

Hybrid/Remote Work Option: Due to the nature of this position, a hybrid or remote work arrangement may be available for workplace flexibility.

Soft Funding Clause: Due to this position’s salary having all or a portion of it being funded by grants or contracts, the continuing salary and overall employment is contingent upon availability of these funds in the future.

Required Education and Experience:

• PhD in Psychology or related field

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Excellent communication (written and oral communication)

• Organizational and time-management skills

Preferred Education and Experience:

• Previous research and/or clinical experience with populations impacted by PTSD, trauma, substance use, or related conditions

• Prior research training and experience with cognitive behavioral therapy

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and SPSS

Responsibilities:

• Implementation of Psychotherapy: Responsible for learning and providing trauma-focused psychotherapies for PTSD and substance use disorders. Receives multidisciplinary training, including work with first responders and ecological momentary assessment (EMA) methodologies).

• Data Analysis, Manuscript Preparation, & Writing: Develops presentations for conferences and other events, writes manuscripts, conducts data analyses, and assists with grant writing.

• Consultation, Training, & Feedback: Consults with physicians, faculty, off-campus resources, and other campus offices and students, when appropriate, and with appropriate authorization, in order to provide quality care to students. Makes referrals to off-campus therapists, clinics, or hospitals, when appropriate. Obtains professional consultation and supervision when appropriate.

• Other Duties: Assists with other project development and data collection. Maintains documentation of services within electronic medical records system in an accurate and timely manner and performs other duties as assigned.