Research Scholar (Postdoctoral Fellowship)

NCIRE - The Northern California Institute for Research and Education, Inc.•San Francisco, CA

7h•$70,304 - $79,640

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). It is 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. Across the two-year program, fellows devote 75% of their time to research and educational activities, including didactics and career-development seminars, and 25% to clinical training. Fellows drive research projects and gain clinical and translational research experience and skills to prepare for independent investigation. Under the mentorship of Dr. Kristine Yaffe, the scholar will design and conduct dementia and cognitive-aging research studies, write manuscripts for peer-reviewed publications, develop presentations for conferences and meetings, and contribute 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. The scholar may collaborate with SFVA/UCSF investigators and participate in didactic sessions. The ideal applicant is interested in expanding expertise in population-based health. Faculty mentors are affiliated with SFVA Research and Mental Health services; UCSF Departments of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Neurology, and Epidemiology and Biostatistics; the SFVA/UCSF Center for Population Brain Health; and the Global Brain Health Institute. The multidisciplinary group works to advance brain health across the lifespan. Applicants must complete an UltiPro application and email a letter of interest describing 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. Drug testing may include marijuana screening; failure to pass required drug testing disqualifies candidates. The position requires access to United States 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 applicants may be considered if no qualified U.S. citizens apply. The base wage range is $70,304.00–$79,639.96 per year. Actual compensation considers relevant, non-discriminatory business factors, including geographic location, job-related experience, knowledge, skills, education, and internal equity. A successful candidate may also be eligible for additional compensation, including bonuses. NCIRE is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Requirements

Applicants should be MDs in psychiatry, neurology, geriatrics, or related fields; psychologists or neuropsychologists; or other allied health professionals.
Complete the UltiPro application and submit 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, required vaccines and immunizations, and drug testing where required.
Meet the federal access requirements for U.S. Government research under the Veterans Administration; qualified U.S. citizens are selected over other eligible applicants, and other eligible applicants may be considered if no qualified U.S. citizens apply.

Nice To Haves

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.
Write manuscripts for peer-reviewed publications.
Develop presentations for conferences and meetings.
Contribute to grant development.
Participate in clinical training and clinical care service delivery.
Participate in didactic sessions and career-development seminars.