Postdoctoral Fellow - Military Mental Health

Join the HJF Team!

HJF is seeking a Postdoctoral Fellow to support the research portfolio of the Center for Deployment Psychology (CDP) at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda, MD. The incumbent will be one of two postdoctoral fellows at the Center. HJF provides administrative and management support to CDP.

This position will be in support of the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences' CDP, which is based in Bethesda, MD. CDP strives to be the central hub for the Military Health System (MHS) in the development and implementation of training and education to clinicians of military-connected individuals. CDP currently provides training in Prolonged Exposure, Cognitive Processing Therapy, Cogntive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for Suicide Prevention, CBT for Insomnia, Brief Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia, and military culture, among others. CDP's research includes the dissemination and implementation of evidence-based psychotherapies; behavioral health services research; and patient focused research on mental health disorders such as PTSD, insomnia, nightmares, moral injury, and suicide prevention. The CDP research program utilizes community-based participatory research principles to guide the research design, methodology, and interpretation and implications of results. CDP's research team will support a portfolio of nearly $15 million in FY25.

The Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine (HJF) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing military medicine. We serve military, medical, academic and government clients by administering, managing and supporting preeminent scientific programs that benefit members of the armed forces and civilians alike. Since its founding in 1983, HJF has served as a vital link between the military medical community and its federal and private partners. HJF's support and administrative capabilities allow military medical researchers and clinicians to maintain their scientific focus and accomplish their research goals.

This position may support the following studies and Center activities under Dr. Maegan Paxton Willing:

Research Studies

• Dissemination & Implementation
• Implementation of Creative Arts Therapies Across the Defense Intrepid Network (DIN) is a multi-study project involving program evaluation of the creative arts therapies within the DIN, a systematic review of the related literature, and a research training program for creative arts therapists. The postdoctoral fellow may support this study by conducting on-site interviews and focus groups.
• Clinical Research
• Manualizing and piloting a novel approach to treating and measuring posttraumatic nightmares integrates art therapy directives into an evidence-based psychotherapy for nightmares. A mixed-methods study will inform recommendations for cultural adaptations to the manual.
• The use of art therapy for "unmasking" moral injuries is a RCT of the mask making directive as treatment for moral injuries. Additional activities include developing a new measure of moral injury and conducting a survey regarding military service members' preferences for behavioral health treatments.
• The relationship between sleep and suicide
• Determining Risks using Ecological Assessments of Mood, Sleep, & Suicide (DREAMSS) is an ecological momentary assessment study examining the daily effects of sleep on suicide ideation in Veterans. This pilot study is anticipated to conclude in late summer/early fall 2025; however, manuscript and presentations may continue beyond this point.
• Sleep Education for Marine Corps seeks to reduce suicide risk in Marines by improving sleep health from a population health approach. This study is being conducted in collaboration with the San Diego State University and the National Center for PTSD. The postdoctoral fellow may support this study by participating in a month-long onsite data collection in San Diego, CA estimated to occur in late 2025 or early 2026.

Advanced postdoctoral fellows may be eligible to participate in additional Center activities such as:

• Program evaluation of a large-scale dissemination and implementation program
• Development of presentations and publications
• Dissemination (training) of evidence-based psychotherapies
• Science communication through blog writing or as a webinar or podcast guest

This position is anticipated to be a two-year term. During this time, postdoctoral fellows are expected to develop skills necessary for conducting independent research supporting military mental health. This may include but is not limited to opportunities for grant writing, presentations, manuscript development/publishing, and statistical analysis; training in military culture; and knowledge of community-based research principles. Strong postdoctoral fellows may receive support to develop their own research agenda and/or funding proposals. Please note, although this position will support clinical research, direct patient care is not available, and it is not anticipated that this position will provide clinical contact hours necessary for obtaining licensure.

Virtual interviews will be offered for February 21 and 28. A member of the HJF Hiring Team may contact you to conduct a preliminary screening prior to this date.

Preference will be given to candidates with demonstrated experience conducting military mental health research, experience in dissemination and implementation science, and/or clinical research in an area relevant to military mental health (e.g., suicide prevention, sleep and nightmares, PTSD, moral injury, depression, anxiety, and adjustment disorder).

Responsibilities

• Manage elements of ongoing projects, ensuring compliance with good practice in relation to the conduct of research, and institutional ethics policies. Conducts on-site data collection and site visits in support of study aims. Maintains effective and timely communication with scientific collaborators; serves as a representative of the Center and in this capacity, demonstrates strong interpersonal, communication, and conflict resolution skills.
• Undertake high quality research and scholarship, including contributing to drafting major grant proposals and/or leading the drafting of smaller grant proposals related to military mental health.
• Develop and author scientific reports for scholarly dissemination at professional meetings and in peer-reviewed publications. Present at national and international conferences. Further the CDP mission's by contributing to blogs, podcasts, and/or white papers.
• Applicants must possess the ability to provide behavioral subject matter expertise that is culturally sensitive in a manner that is accessible and inclusive which demonstrates a comprehensive understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• May perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned or directed by the supervisor. This may include attendance of and participation in required training for the role.

Education and Experience

• Doctoral degree
• Minimum of 0-5 years experience required.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of research design and methodology
• Knowledge of a broad range of behavioral health and public health research including but not limited to clinical trials methodology, suicide prevention research, suicide prevention assessment tools, cognitive behavior therapy, insomnia and sleep disorders research and treatments, and PTSD research and evidence-based treatments.
• Excellent general communication skills including writing appropriate reports, articles, white papers, and providing presentations to large audiences.
• Experience conducting statistical analyses in SPSS, Stata, or other statistical software
• 1-2 first author publications and previous contributions to written output, preferably peer-reviewed
• Proven ability to work independently, as well as collaboratively as part of a research team, and proven ability to meet research deadlines
• Evidence of good organizational skills, including effective time management
• Ability to obtain and maintain a T1/Public Trust background check

Preferred Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of the research literature relevant to military deployment, military culture, telehealth, other aspects of military life and implementation science
• Familiarity with the military medical system is desirable.
  
  

Physical Capabilities

• Ability to stand or sit at a computer for prolonged periods.
  
  

Work Environment

• This position will take place primarily in a laboratory setting.

Compensation

• The annual range for this position is $50,100-$68,000. Actual salary will be determined based on experience, education, etc.

Benefits

• HJF offers a comprehensive suite of benefits focused on your health and well-being, from medical, dental, and vision coverage to health savings and retirement plans, and more.

Employment with HJF is contingent upon successful completion of a background check, which may include, but is not limited to, contacting your professional references, verification of previous employment, education and credentials, a criminal background check, and a department of motor vehicle (DMV) check if applicable. Any qualifications to be considered as equivalents, in lieu of stated minimums, require the prior approval of the Chief Human Resources Officer.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)

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