Research Scholar (Postdoctoral Fellowship)
About The Position
Dr. Kristine Yaffe and the Center for Population Brain Health are recruiting for a two-year Post-Doctoral Advanced Fellowship Program in Mental Health Research and Treatment focused on dementia, cognitive health, and geriatric neuropsychiatry. The fellowship is associated with the Sierra Pacific Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Center at the San Francisco VA Health Care System (MIRECC; VISN 21) and affiliated with the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). Funded by the Office of Academic Affiliations, Department of Veterans Affairs, the program trains physicians in psychiatry, neurology, geriatrics, or related fields; psychologists and neuropsychologists; and other allied health professionals to become clinical researchers in Alzheimer disease and related dementias, cognitive aging, brain health, and geriatric neuropsychiatry. Over two years, fellows devote 75% of their time to research and educational activities, including didactics and career development seminars, and 25% to clinical training. Fellows drive innovative research projects and gain clinical and translational research experience and skills in preparation to become independent investigators. Under Dr. Kristine Yaffe’s mentorship, the scholar designs and executes dementia and cognitive aging research studies, writes manuscripts for peer-reviewed publications, prepares presentations for conferences and meetings, and contributes to grant development. Potential research topics include social determinants of brain health and modifiable risk factors for cognitive aging and Alzheimer disease and related dementias, such as traumatic brain injury, PTSD, depression, cardiovascular risk factors, and sleep. Fellows may collaborate with SFVA/UCSF investigators and participate in didactic sessions. The multidisciplinary faculty are affiliated with SFVA Research and Mental Health services, UCSF departments, the SFVA/UCSF Center for Population Brain Health, and the Global Brain Health Institute. Applicants must complete an UltiPro application and email a letter of interest detailing research experience, interests, and career goals, a CV, and three letters of recommendation to Tina Hoang, Research Manager. The application deadline is November 15, 2026. Candidates must complete SFVA onboarding in addition to NCIRE onboarding. SFVA onboarding includes a federal background check, occupational health clearance, vaccines and immunizations, and drug testing for certain positions. Failure to pass required drug testing disqualifies candidates from employment. Because the position involves access to U.S. Government research under the Veterans Administration, qualified U.S. citizens will be selected over other individuals eligible to work in the United States; other eligible candidates may be considered if no qualified U.S. citizens apply. NCIRE is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Requirements
- Applicants are drawn from physicians in psychiatry, neurology, geriatrics, or related fields; psychologists/neuropsychologists; or other allied health professionals.
- Submit an UltiPro application, a letter of interest detailing research experience, interests, and career goals, a CV, and three letters of recommendation.
- Complete SFVA onboarding, including a federal background check, occupational health clearance, vaccines and immunizations, and drug testing where required.
- Pass required drug testing; failure to do so disqualifies candidates from employment.
- Qualified U.S. citizens will be selected over other individuals eligible to work in the United States; other eligible candidates may be considered if no qualified U.S. citizens apply.
Nice To Haves
- Particular interest in expanding expertise in population-based health.
Responsibilities
- Design and execute dementia and cognitive aging research studies under the mentorship of Dr. Kristine Yaffe.
- Drive innovative research projects and gain clinical and translational research experience and skills.
- Write manuscripts for peer-reviewed publications.
- Develop presentations for conferences and meetings.
- Contribute to grant development.
- Participate in clinical training, didactic sessions, educational activities, and career development seminars.
- Complete SFVA onboarding requirements in addition to NCIRE onboarding.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
No Education Listed
