Positions Available

Postdoctoral Associate

We are hiring for a Postdoctoral Associate position in the YETI Lab with a flexible start date in 2024; applications reviewed on a rolling basis until filled:

• The Postdoctoral Associate will be working with the PI, Dr. Leslie Horton, in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.

• The successful applicant will be expected to develop their own program of research and will take a leadership role in NIMH-funded research studies examining psychosis risk based on alignment with interests:

  1.  An R01 Project, the YETI Phone Study (R01 MH121386) examines threat dysregulation (TD) as a contributor to social impairment and psychotic-like experiences in adolescents at risk for psychosis;

  2. A U01 project, the ProNET study (MH124639), a multi-site, international collaboration examining biomarkers of risk for psychosis using methods that include clinical and cognitive measures, fluid biomarkers, EEG, and fMRI (more information about both grants can be found at https://reporter.nih.gov/). Responsibilities could include collecting, processing, and analyzing ambulatory, psychophysiology, and other data; conducting and supervising clinical interviews and assessments with participants; writing manuscripts and conference presentations; and mentoring more junior lab members and students. A 2-year minimum commitment is requested.

• Additional opportunities will be available to pursue data analysis and manuscript writing using existing data and to become involved in the development of other new research projects and grant proposals. Although this position primarily focuses on research, qualified clinician candidates may have the opportunity to devote up to ½ day per week to providing clinical services as part of the Hope Team, a clinic serving youth ages 10-26 who are at risk for psychosis.

• This position provides the opportunity to work and learn in an outstanding and collaborative research environment. The Department of Psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh boasts a wealth of training and career development resources for postdoctoral researchers, including the Career and Research Development Seminar. This weekly seminar series is designed to enhance postdoctoral trainees’ grantsmanship, professional competence, and skills for launching an independent research career.

• If you are interested in the Postdoctoral Associate position, please send a CV and Cover Letter to Dr. Horton or send an inquiry on the “contact us” form.

Undergraduate Students interested in volunteering or Directed Research opportunities

We consider students for both Directed Research and volunteer positions.

• Directed Research learn more about Directed Research opportunities and the application process. This page will note whether we are accepting students for upcoming semesters for Directed Research.

• Volunteer Students should follow a similar process of application as noted on the Directed Research page.

We consider students with any/all of the following:

• Required criteria
  • Completion of all research methods requirements (lecture/lab)
  • Specific interests in adolescence, social relationships, psychophysiology, stress, and/or psychosis-risk
•  Preferred
  • Experience conceptualizing ideas and generating research questions
  • Familiarity with RedCAP and Excel

  • Familiarity with statistical analysis software, such as SPSS or R/R Studio

• Goals of pursuing
  • Graduate training in psychology
  • Field work in psychology
  • Post-bacc research positions

For all students interested

• We may request the following information:
  • Resume/CV
  • Unofficial Transcript
  • 3 professional/academic references (contact information)
  • Cover Letter

We suggest familiarizing yourself with literature about psychosis-risk and are happy to provide examples and suggested readings.

Email deamm@upmc.edu and petersc10@upmc.edu for more information or if you have any questions.