Jobs

The Sukhodolsky lab at the Yale Child Study Center is looking to fill a postgraduate/ post-baccalaureate position associated with studies of brain mechanisms and treatment of neurodevelopmental disorders. The position will be primarily responsible for studies of behavioral interventions for children with autism spectrum disorder, including cognitive behavioral therapy for anxiety and behavioral therapy for irritability. The post-bacc position will also have responsibilities in study coordination, running subjects through clinical assessments, collecting fMRI data, and managing study databases. In addition to current studies with children on the autism spectrum, the Sukhodolsky lab conducts clinical research in the areas of childhood disruptive behavior disorders, ADHD, Tourette Syndrome and OCD. Post-bacc associates will gain deep knowledge of developmental psychopathology and will benefit from a collaborative environment by contributing to all projects.

The post-bacc associates will be trained in a variety of aspects of clinical research and will gain experience in childhood neurodevelopmental disorders. The position includes the following learning opportunities:

1. Learn about autism and developmental psychopathology and behavioral treatments for anxiety and irritability in autism. Train on how to guide children and families through clinical studies of behavioral therapy. Learn to administer, score and interpret measures of social behavior, anxiety and neurocognitive functioning to children and adolescents.
2. Become familiar with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). This technique is used in the Sukhodolsky Lab to examine brain mechanisms of response to cognitive-behavior therapy in youth and gender differences in autism. Post-bacc associates will learn the importance of the interface with families during all parts of the research process.
3. Learn about behavioral, neuropsychological and neuroimaging research conducted with children with neurodevelopmental disorders. Post-bacc associates will have an opportunity to learn about psychological assessments of symptoms, intelligence, and adaptive functioning as well as neurocognitive tasks for evaluating brain mechanisms of cognitive and emotional functioning.
4. Additional learning opportunities include: attending weekly grand rounds devoted to various topics in child and adolescent psychology and psychiatry; aiding in preparation and possibly co-author manuscripts based on research studies conducted; learning about data management and analysis procedures in clinical trials.

Anticipated start date July 2024. BA or BS required. Psychology, Pre-Med, or Neuroscience background required with research experience and experience working with children. Please submit a letter of interest, a resume, a copy of academic transcript, and at least two letters of reference to Denis Sukhodolsky, Ph.D., at Denis.Sukhodolsky@yale.edu.

Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. Yale University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and welcomes applications from women, minority candidates and individuals with disabilities.

We are looking to fill a two-year postdoctoral position associated with federally funded studies of neural mechanisms and effectiveness of behavioral interventions for anxiety and irritability in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder. The position requires a Ph.D. in clinical psychology from an APA-approved program and completion of an APA-approved internship. Primary responsibilities include providing treatment and conducting evaluations of children with ASD who participate in the clinical trials in the Denis Sukhodolsky Lab. Clinical training will include supervision, didactic seminars, and participation in clinical team meetings. This position will allow the postdoctoral fellow to develop expertise in evidence-based psychosocial interventions for children with ASD. Additional specialized training will be available in neuroimaging methods for testing biomarkers of treatment response to behavioral therapy in children across diagnostic categories. The postdoctoral fellow will have access to a wide range of learning opportunities at the Yale Child Study Center including grand rounds, clinical and research seminars, and lectures at the Yale School of Medicine. This position will also provide excellent research opportunities for learning about neuroscience-based clinical research, collaboration with a multidisciplinary team of cognitive neuroscientists, and participation in data analysis and paper writing.

Please submit applications and inquiries to Denis Sukhodolsky, Ph.D., denis.sukhodolsky@yale.edu The application should include a letter of interest, curriculum vitae, and three letters of reference. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. Anticipated start date is January 2022.

Yale University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and welcomes applications from women, minority candidates and individuals with disabilities.

The Sukhodolsky Lab has an opening for a psychology practicum/externship position. This position provides training and supervision in psychological assessment and behavior therapy for childhood disorders, such as ASD, Tourette syndrome, OCD, anxiety and disruptive behavior disorders. Clinical training includes one-on-one instruction, weekly supervision, didactic activities, and a wide range of other learning experiences. In addition to clinical training and supervision, the trainees are encouraged to participate in clinical research conducted at the Yale Child Study Center. We are currently studying cognitive behavioral therapy for anxiety in children with autism spectrum disorder. During this study, children receive 15 weekly sessions of CBT for anxiety and complete fMRI before and after treatment. We are also providing are also providing behavioral therapy for irritability and aggression in adolescents with autism spectrum disorder. Other interventions we have studied include web-based parent training for disruptive behavior in children with autism, pivotal response training for young children with autism, and behavior therapy for tics in children and adults with Tourette syndrome.

Psychology externs are expected to dedicate 16 to 20 hours/week over the course of an academic year with an anticipated start date between July 1 and September 1, 2021. PhD or PsyD candidates required and experience working with children with ASD preferred.

Please submit a letter of interest and resume to Denis Sukhodolsky, Ph.D., at denis.sukhodolsky@yale.edu.

Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. Yale University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and welcomes applications from women, minority candidates and individuals with disabilities.

Undergraduate research assistants are a vital part of the Sukhodolsky Lab and are involved in a number of different projects and studies. RAs will have the opportunity to enhance their knowledge of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and apply their classroom studies to ongoing research. They will gain hands-on experience and skills that will be useful when applying to post-bacc and graduate school programs.

Undergraduate tasks include: data entry, subject recruitment, helping run study visits, interacting with families and children who come into the lab, administering paper and pencil assessments to children, and participating in journal club meetings and lab meetings.

An undergrad research assistant should be able to volunteer for a minimum of 8-10 hours/week. A psychology or neuroscience major and experience working with children is preferred.

Please submit a brief letter of interest, resume, and copy of academic transcript to Denis Sukhodolsky, Ph.D., at denis.sukhodolsky@yale.edu.