The Reproductive Psychiatry Research Program in the Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Sciences Department at the University of Virginia seeks a Research Associate to assist investigators in exploring the biological differences between postpartum depression that is and is not associated with a particular epigenetic signature. The Research Associate will oversee the day-to-day operation of projects, confer with the PI (Dr. Jennifer Payne) in developing plans for research projects, discuss the interpretation of results and prepare scientific manuscripts for publication.
The successful candidate will take advantage of novel epigenetic biomarkers that prospectively identify 80% of postpartum depression cases and compare biomarker positive postpartum depression cases to biomarker negative postpartum depression cases, studying a range of biological processes including Hypothalamic Pituitary Axis functioning, inflammatory markers, immune system markers, and neuroactive steroid system functioning. The candidate will also compare clinical characteristics associated with biomarker positive and negative postpartum depression with the goal of developing an understanding of the biological basis of biomarker positive depression and it’s typical clinical presentation.
Learn more about the Reproductive Psychiatry Research Program: Reproductive Psychiatry Research Program - Department of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Sciences (virginia.edu)
QUALIFICATIONS
Qualified candidates must have a doctoral degree, preferably in Behavioral Neuroscience, though Biology, or a related discipline will be considered, by the appointment start date. Background and experience in women’s mental health and neuroactive steroids is preferred.
Postdoctoral employment is normally limited to an individual who has been awarded a doctoral degree within the previous five years. This is a 12-month appointment with the possibility of renewal (for an additional two, one-year increments) contingent upon satisfactory performance and the availability of funding. Salary will be commensurate with education and experience.
This position will remain open until filled. The University will perform background checks on all new hires prior to employment. A completed pre-employment health screen is required for this position prior to employment.
TO APPLY
Please apply through Careers at UVA, and search for R0060329. Internal applicants must apply through their UVA Workday profile by searching 'Find Jobs'. Complete an application online with the following documents:
CV or ResumeCover letterContact information for three professional referencesUpload all materials into the resume submission field, multiple documents can be submitted into this one field. Alternatively, merge all documents into one PDF for submission. Applications that do not contain all required documents will not receive full consideration.
For questions about the position, please contact Jennifer Payne, Professor, jlp4n@uvahealth.org. Questions relating to the application process should be directed to Jeremy Brofft, Senior Recruiting Specialist, xmf9ad@virginia.edu.
For information on resources for postdocs at UVA, visit https://postdoc.virginia.edu/. For more information on the Charlottesville community please see http://www.virginia.edu/life/charlottesville.
The University of Virginia, including the UVA Health System which represents the UVA Medical Center, Schools of Medicine and Nursing, UVA Physician’s Group and the Claude Moore Health Sciences Library, are fundamentally committed to the diversity of our faculty and staff. We believe diversity is excellence expressing itself through every person's perspectives and lived experiences. We are equal opportunity and affirmative action employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, marital status, national or ethnic origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, veteran status, and family medical or genetic information.