JOB DESCRIPTION: Helps design and conduct research within a specified field while receiving advanced training from a designated Principal Investigator to enhance professional skills and research independence needed for pursuit of a career. The specific area of research in which the trainee is mentored is determined by the department and laboratory of the Postdoc. Designs and evaluates experiments. Develops new ideas that promote current research. Prepares and publishes scientific manuscripts under the direction of the Principal Investigator. May be responsible for operation of specific equipment. May teach techniques to others, train, and supervise research staff. Positions are temporary appointments as a research trainee. The initial appointment is for one year, renewal expected if progress is satisfactory and funds are available. Appointments cannot exceed five years. 

Postdoctoral position in computational modeling of anxious avoidance at the Computational Mechanisms of Psychopathology Lab at Emory University (PI: Vanessa Brown, PhD)

The Computational Mechanisms of Psychopathology Lab (COMPLab; PI: Vanessa Brown, PhD) is recruiting for a postdoctoral fellow to join the lab. Research in the lab uses behavioral tasks (administered in-lab and remotely), functional and structural imaging, computational modeling, and mechanistic interventions (brief psychotherapy, neuromodulation) to investigate learning alterations in anxiety and related disorders. In particular, this position will support research funded by a new NIH R01 using predictive and generative modeling of threat imminence to understand and manipulate avoidance in anxiety.

This position is ideal for someone with a background in some combination of behavior/learning theory approaches to anxiety, computational modeling of behavior, and fMRI analysis; and who wishes to gain or deepen expertise in these areas. The postdoctoral fellow will be expected to design experiments, analyze data, present and publish findings, apply for external funding, and assist with training other lab members and with lab management. Dr. Brown and the COMP Lab are strongly committed to mentorship, and support will be provided to assist the postdoctoral fellow to prepare for an independent research career.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: A doctoral degree or equivalent (Ph.D., M.D., ScD., D.V.M., DDS etc) in an appropriate field. Excellent scientific writing ability and strong oral communication skills. The ability to work effectively and collegially with colleagues. Additional qualifications as specified by the Principal Investigator.

REQUIRED SKILLS/QUALIFICATIONS: 

• A PhD (by start of employment) in Psychology, Neuroscience, Biomedical Engineering, Cognitive Science, or related field
•  Expertise in advanced quantitative/statistical methods (e.g., generative computational modeling, multilevel and/or structural equation modeling, univariate and/or multivariate fMRI/EEG analysis)
• Knowledge of R, Python, Matlab, shell scripts, or similar programming languages
• Interest in mechanisms of psychopathology, particularly anxiety

JOB DESCRIPTION: Helps design and conduct research within a specified field while receiving advanced training from a designated Principal Investigator to enhance professional skills and research independence needed for pursuit of a career. The specific area of research in which the trainee is mentored is determined by the department and laboratory of the Postdoc. Designs and evaluates experiments. Develops new ideas that promote current research. Prepares and publishes scientific manuscripts under the direction of the Principal Investigator. May be responsible for operation of specific equipment. May teach techniques to others, train, and supervise research staff. Positions are temporary appointments as a research trainee. The initial appointment is for one year, renewal expected if progress is satisfactory and funds are available. Appointments cannot exceed five years. 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: A doctoral degree or equivalent (Ph.D., M.D., ScD., D.V.M., DDS etc) in an appropriate field. Excellent scientific writing ability and strong oral communication skills. The ability to work effectively and collegially with colleagues. Additional qualifications as specified by the Principal Investigator.

Completion of a Ph.D. or Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology from an APA, CPA, or PCSAS accredited program, as well as successful completion of an APA-accredited internship is required. The ideal candidate is self-motivated, independent, and reliable. Publication and grant writing experience is a plus but not required.

The Department of Psychology at Emory University is now offering a 12-month post-doctoral fellowship in conducting cognitive assessments and delivering empirically based psychological treatments beginning August 1, 2026. The fellow will be housed in the Emory University Psychological Center, which is sliding-scale outpatient clinic open to the community. The clinic is located on Emory’s main campus in Atlanta, Georgia. 

This fellowship is intended for psychologists who have successfully completed an American Psychological Association-approved internship and a Ph.D. or Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology and wish to refine their skills in assessment and EBTs. The fellow will report to and work closely with Zainab Delawalla, Ph.D., clinic director, and Hanan Trotman, Ph.D., director of assessment. Full salary and benefits are guaranteed for one year, with an option of renewal for a second year based on the fellow’s interests. 

Fellowship Training:  Emphasis is placed on honing the fellow’s assessment skills through conducting comprehensive cognitive evaluations across the developmental spectrum. Typical referral questions include attention and executive function disorders, learning disorders, mood and anxiety disorders, etc. The fellow will also be able to accrue intervention experience through delivering time-limited, empirically supported treatments, including CBT, DBT, ACT, MATCH, etc.  

In addition to these clinical responsibilities, a portion of the fellow’s time will be dedicated to didactic experiences and training junior-level psychology trainees. The fellow is also expected to contribute to research efforts within the clinic, including participation in external funding applications, study design and implementation, and manuscript preparation.  
 
Necessary skills/qualifications: Completion of a Ph.D. or Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology from an APA, CPA, or PCSAS accredited program, as well as successful completion of an APA-accredited internship is required. The ideal candidate is self-motivated, independent, and reliable. Publication and grant writing experience is a plus but not required.  

Benefits: A beginning salary of $60,000, three weeks of paid vacation, 11 paid Emory holidays, and two paid floating holidays. Benefits also include optional medical/dental, FSA, HSA, and 403b plans. 

How to Apply: Fellowship applications are preferred by December 15, 2025, but will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled.  

Interested candidates should submit the following: 

• Cover Letter 
• Curriculum Vitae 
• Three letters of recommendation 
• Two deidentified evaluation reports (1 child and 1 adult) 
  
  Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.  
  
  NOTE: Position tasks are generally required to be performed in-person at an Emory University location.  Remote work from home day options may be granted at department discretion. Emory reserves the right to change remote work status with notice to employee.