The Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics (VIPBG; vipbg.vcu.edu) is pleased to invite applications for postdoctoral training with a focus on mental health. The Institute offers a rich multidisciplinary training environment. Our faculty include leaders in the fields of statistical and psychiatric genetics and represent a wide range of scientific backgrounds from molecular and statistical genetics to epidemiology, psychology and psychiatry.

Currently-funded research at VIPBG includes molecular-genetic studies of schizophrenia, major depression, generalized anxiety disorder, alcoholism, cannabis and nicotine dependence. VCU’s pioneering twin studies of complex disorders including adolescent behavioral development, adult psychiatric and substance abuse disorders, together with pertinent epidemiological risk factors have given rise to exceptional resources for data analysis. Our collaborative studies of neuroimaging and neurocognition include the National Institutes of Health’s ABCD study (abcdstudy.org) and the Vietnam Era Twin Study of Aging (VETSA). PTSD, panic disorder and cardiovascular disease projects further extend the opportunities for research.

Faculty are at the forefront of developing methods and software for the statistical genetic analysis of complex traits. These methods include extensions and adaptations of structural equation models to exploit data collected from relatives to resolve competing models about causation and individual differences. New methods for exploiting genetic correlations derived from genotyping studies, and analyses of measured genetic and environmental factors are continuously being developed, tested and applied.

Postdoctoral training is tailored to the experience and needs of the student, and has an emphasis on tutorials and collaborative research. Suitable backgrounds for students include, but are not limited to, mathematics, statistics, psychology, psychiatry, biology and genetics. A broad array of courses and workshops may be attended as desired. Future employment prospects for trainees are exceptionally good; high demands in the fields of genetics, psychology and statistics are supplemented by industry demands for statistical geneticists.

The training positions will be funded by a National Institute of Mental Health training grant in psychiatric and behavioral genetics, and are restricted to US citizens or Permanent Residents.

Further information on the Institute, its faculty and research may be found at https://vipbg.vcu.edu. Applications must be entered into VCU’s ejobs site; the direct link is: https://www.vcujobs.com/postings/99140

VCU Health System Authority provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law