NIMH Research Training Program in Childhood Neurobiological Disorders
Purpose:
The two-year program is designed to provide patient-oriented research training to an interdisciplinary group of post-doctoral fellows interested in a broad range of scientific disciplines relevant to childhood neurobiological disorders. The long-term objective of this program is to increase the number and quality of investigators entering this field.
Characteristics:
Major features of this program include:
1. Preceptor-directed research training that brings together established investigators in child psychiatry, pediatrics, clinical and developmental psychology, the developmental neuroscience's, human genetics, molecular biology, pharmacology, and epidemiology with an outstanding group of post-doctoral fellows from a broad range of clinical and scientific backgrounds who are committed to pursuing academic careers in patient-oriented research; and
2. A core curriculum that focuses on the skills necessary to achieve the status of an independent investigator including: formal training in research design and biostatistics; mastery of the knowledge base concerning the neuropsychiatric disorders of childhood onset [autism, mental retardation syndromes (fragile X syndrome, Down syndrome), learning disabilities, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, conduct disorder, Tourette's syndrome, and obsessive-compulsive disorder]; the protection of human subjects and the need for safeguards to ensure the integrity of the research enterprise; and the acquisition to the skills needed to prepare and critique original articles and research grant applications. The successful matching of individual faculty preceptors with post-doctoral fellows lies at the heart of this research training program.
Faculty:
A listing of core faculty members and their academic discipline follows:
George M. Anderson, Ph.D. Developmental Neurochemistry
Donald J. Cohen, M.D. Child Psychiatry
Alvan R. Feinstein, M.D. Clinometrics
Joel Gelernter, M.D. Psychiatry
Patricia Goldman-Rakic, Ph.D. Neuroscience
Norris Haynes, Ph.D. Educational Psychology
Alan E. Kazdin, Ph.D. Developmental Psychopathology
Kenneth K. Kidd, Ph.D. Psychiatric Genetics
James F. Leckman, M.D. Child Psychiatry
Paul J. Lombroso, M.D. Child Psychiatry, Molecular Neurobiology
Linda C. Mayes, M.D. Pediatrics
David L. Pauls, Ph.D. Psychiatric Genetics
Bradley S. Peterson, M.D. Child Psychiatry
Pasko Rakic, M.D. Neuroscience
Robert H. Roth, Ph.D. Neuropsychopharmacology
Robert T. Schultz, Ph.D. Neuropsychology
Mary E. Schwab-Stone, M.D. Psychiatric Epidemiology
Albert J. Solnit, M.D. Child Psychiatry
Sara S. Sparrow, Ph.D. Child Psychology
Flora M. Vaccarino, M.D. Developmental Neurobiology
Fred R. Volkmar, M.D. Child Psychiatry
Edward Zigler, Ph.D. Developmental Psychology
Trainees:
To be considered, candidates must be clinically competent physicians who have been accepted, are in, or have completed training in psychiatry, child psychiatry, or pediatrics, or individuals who have been granted a Ph.D. in developmental or clinical psychology, analytical chemistry, neurobiology, molecular biology, pharmacology, or human genetics. Selections will be made by the executive committee of the training program. Prior research experiences, letters of reference, and personal interview of the most promising candidates will be major factors in the selection process.
Sponsorship and Stipends:
This research training program is funded through NIMH grant MH18268 . Stipends are set by the federal government in the range of $18,600 to $32,200, depending upon year of post-doctoral experience. However, supplementation of stipends is routine. Such supplements are determined on a case-by-case basis. Health insurance and limited travel funds are also available.
Facilities:
The outpatient facilities of the Child Study Center, the 15-bed Children's Psychiatric Inpatient Service at Yale-New Haven Hospital, and the 5-bed NIH-funded Children's Clinical Research Center, at Yale, are the principal clinical sites utilized by the training program.
Laboratory Facilities:
A broad range of laboratory settings are available to trainees through individual faculty members including: George Anderson (analytical neurochemistry), Joel Gelernter (psychiatric genetics), Patricia Goldman-Rakic (developmental neuroscience), Ken Kidd (genetic linkage studies), James Leckman (developmental neurobiology), Paul Lombroso (developmental neurobiology), Linda Mayes (infant observation), David Pauls (genetic linkage studies), Pasko Rakic (developmental neuroscience), and Bob Roth (neuropharmacology), Flora Vaccarino (developmental neurobiology).
Computer Resources:
Ample personal and institutional computer resources are available.
Application Submission:
Applications should be submitted by December 1st. Your application should consist of the following: Curriculum Vita, three letters of reference, a statement of your research goals and any published research articles. Applicants will be notified of decision by January 31st.
Applications should be sent to:
James F. Leckman, M.D. Director, NIMH Research Training Program Child Study Center Yale University School of Medicine P.O. Box 207900 New Haven, CT 06520-7900 Phone No.: (203) 785-2511 Fax No.: (203) 785-7611
Email: james.leckman@yale.edu