This National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)-funded postdoctoral program is offered by the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) Department of Psychiatry and Weill Institute for Neurosciences. Our program is one of the few that trains scientists in treatment and service research. Scholars work with a preceptor to design and implement studies on treatment of substance use disorders (SUD), including nicotine, cannabis, opioids, and other substances. Scholars also select a specific area of focus for independent research. Current research interests of faculty include trials of efficacy and effectiveness of psychosocial and pharmacologic treatment of substance use disorders, including:
Substance use disorders including cannabis, tobacco and opioids Innovative methodology, including internet-based studies Treatment of complex patients in health care settings Diagnostic techniques and research on treatment tailored for HIV-positive substance users with psychiatric and medical disorders Research on provision of services to substance-using populations Instrument development in substance use treatment
A variety of university-affiliated and community substance use treatment programs are available as research sites. These include inpatient- and outpatient-setting programs that treat a range of problems related to SUD treatment, including dependence on stimulants, cannabis, nicotine, alcohol, and opiates. Our program encourages close research involvement with a preceptor, and involvement in selected classes, seminars, and grant preparation.
The training program is supported in part by the Western States Node of the NIDA Clinical Trials Network. Resources from other significant extramural funding and R01-level grants are also routinely available to scholars.
Our unifying philosophy is:
- SUD treatment and services research must be methodologically excellent and clinically relevant.
- Problems related to substance use are best attacked from a multidisciplinary perspective.
- Integration of knowledge of various intellectual domains is essential to the development of effective treatment.
Because our philosophy implies that the quality of the postdoctoral program depends on the quality of the scholars, faculty, and environment, rather than on any particular class or activity, we energetically recruit to obtain high-quality applicants into a research environment where they will work under the guidance of research-sophisticated investigators.
According to the NIH guidelines for the T32 training program, a trainee must be either citizen or a non-citizen national of the United States, or have been lawfully admitted for permanent residence at the time of appointment.
Additionally, NIH guidelines dictate that “Postdoctoral trainees must have received, as of the beginning date of the NRSA appointment, a PhD, MD, DDS, or comparable doctoral degree from an accredited domestic or foreign institution. Comparable doctoral degrees include, but are not limited to, the following: DMD, DC, DO, DVM, OD, DPM, ScD, EngD, DrPH, DNSc, DPT, PharmD, ND (Doctor of Naturopathy), DSW, PsyD, as well as a doctoral degree in nursing research. Documentation by an authorized official of the degree-granting institution certifying all degree requirements have been met prior to the beginning date of the training appointment is acceptable. Individuals in postgraduate clinical training, who wish to interrupt their studies for a year or more to engage in full-time research training before completing their formal training programs, are also eligible.”
Please direct information requests, application packets, and letters of recommendation submissions to Jaime Smith at [email protected].
For consideration into the postdoctoral program, please send an application packet consisting of your (1) cover letter, (2) curriculum vitae, (3) statement of research interests, and (4) representative work. Statement of research interests should include the following items:
- History of research projects
- Current interests
- What you would like to learn and accomplish during your postdoctoral traineeship at UCSF
- A list of program faculty with whom you would like to work
Download a copy of the program flyer.
Two letters of reference should be sent directly from the recommenders.
Representative work can include dissertation chapters if no publications are available. Electronic submission of materials (except reference letters) is strongly encouraged. The application period is open until filled.
All applicants must have completed their doctorate at the time of entry into the program and be a U.S. citizen or have Lawful Permanent Residency (Green Card) status at the time of appointment.