Research Scholar (Postdoctoral Research Scholar)

Dr. Sabra Inslicht and the Stress, Trauma, and Resilience Program (STaR Lab) at the San Francisco VA Health Care System (SFVAHCS) are recruiting for a Postdoctoral Research Scholar in PTSD, trauma, sleep, and fear learning. This position has an expected duration of two years and is based at the SFVAHCS, is affiliated with University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, and is supported through Northern California Institute for Research and Education, Inc (NCIRE).

The primary goal of this postdoctoral position is to train clinical and translational researchers (e.g., PhD psychologists/neuroscientists, MDs in psychiatry/neurology, or other allied health professionals) to become leading investigators in the areas of PTSD and trauma-related disorders, insomnia and sleep disturbance, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and mechanistic studies of fear learning and extinction. Over the course of the 2-year program, fellows will devote at least 75% of their time to research and educational activities (including didactics, seminars, and career development) and up to 25% to clinical training and/or other tailored professional development, depending on discipline and goals. Fellows will be responsible for driving innovative research projects while also gaining the skills needed to become independent investigators.

The STaR Lab focuses on mechanism-informed, pharmacologically augmented psychotherapies and experimental paradigms of fear learning and extinction, including studies of orexin antagonists for PTSD and insomnia, remote and in-lab psychophysiology (e.g., fear conditioning, EDA, HR/HRV, EMG, facial coding, remote PPG), and sleep and cardiovascular risk in trauma-exposed populations, including women Veterans and other high-risk groups.

The fellow will have the opportunity to collaborate with SFVA/UCSF investigators and participate in structured didactic sessions, career development seminars, and lab meetings across SFVA and UCSF.

Under the primary mentorship of Dr. Sabra Inslicht (and co-mentors as appropriate), the postdoctoral scholar will:

• Design and execute research studies focused on PTSD, trauma, sleep, and fear learning (e.g., augmented psychotherapy trials, orexin antagonist trials, experimental fear-conditioning and extinction paradigms, remote psychophysiology).
• Lead data analysis efforts, integrating clinical, psychophysiological, and sleep-related measures.
• Write manuscripts for peer-reviewed publications and develop presentations for national and international conferences.
• Contribute to and increasingly lead grant development, including pilot grants, career development awards, and multi-site proposals.
• For clinically trained fellows (e.g., clinical psychology, psychiatry, social work), engage in supervised clinical assessment and structured, manualized psychotherapy (e.g., exposure-based PTSD treatments) aligned with the fellow’s training level and licensure trajectory.

Potential projects may focus on:

• Pharmacologically augmented PTSD treatments, including trials combining evidence-based psychotherapies with medications that facilitate fear extinction or improve sleep.
• Remote and in-lab fear conditioning and extinction paradigms using psychophysiological measures (EDA, EMG, HR/HRV, facial coding, remote PPG).
• Insomnia and sleep disturbance in trauma-exposed populations, including women Veterans in the menopause transition.
• Traumatic brain injury (TBI), PTSD, and sleep as interacting risk factors for functional outcomes and cardiometabolic health.

• Doctoral degree (e.g., PhD, PsyD, MD, or equivalent) in clinical psychology, neuroscience, psychiatry, public health, or a closely related field at the time of appointment.
• Demonstrated research productivity, including peer-reviewed publications or strong evidence of publishable work.
• Strong interest in PTSD and trauma-related disorders, sleep/insomnia, TBI, fear learning/fear extinction, psychophysiology, and/or mechanistically informed interventions.
• Prior experience with clinical research, clinical trials, psychophysiology, sleep research, and/or trauma-exposed populations is highly desirable but not strictly required for outstanding candidates.
• For clinically trained applicants (e.g., clinical psychology, psychiatry, social work), prior experience with clinical assessment and/or evidence-based psychotherapy for PTSD or related conditions is a plus.
• Strong quantitative, analytic, and writing skills; experience with tools such as R, Python, or MATLAB is desirable.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary research team.

NCIRE is an affiliate organization of the San Francisco VA Health Care System (SFVAHCS), which requires all candidates to complete SFVA onboarding in addition to NCIRE's onboarding process. The SFVA is a federal agency that requires a federal background check, occupational health clearance, vaccines and immunizations, and drug testing for certain positions. Drug testing may include screening for marijuana which remains an illegal substance according to federal law.  The failure to pass required drug testing will disqualify candidates from employment.

The base wage range for this position is $68,640.00 - $79639.96 per year. The wage actually offered to a successful candidate will take into account various relevant and non-discriminatory business factors including, without limitation, the candidate’s geographic location, job-related experience, knowledge, and skills, and education, as well as internal equity considerations. A successful candidate may also be eligible to earn additional compensation including bonuses.

NCIRE is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  This position requires access to United States Government research under the Veterans Administration. Per Veterans Administration regulations surrounding access to US research, qualified US Citizens will be selected over other individuals eligible to work in the United States.  If you are eligible to work in the United States, you may still be considered for this position but only if no qualified US citizens apply.

To apply, please complete your application in NCIRE's UltiPro system and email the following materials to Dr. Sabra Inslicht at sabra.inslicht@va.gov (with subject line: STaR Lab Postdoctoral Research Scholar Application):

1. Letter of interest detailing your research experience, interests, and long-term career goals
2. Curriculum vitae (CV)
3. One to two representative publications or manuscripts (published or in preparation)
4. Names and contact information for 3 references (letters may be requested at a later stage)

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled; for full consideration, candidates are encouraged to apply by December 1, 2025.