URMC / Psychiatry / Education / Postdoctoral Training in Suicide Prevention Research
NIMH/CSPS Postdoctoral Training in Suicide Prevention Research (T32 MH20061)
Welcome to our Postdoctoral Fellowship Program in
Suicide Prevention Research
Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the U.S., with nearly 50,000 people dying by suicide each year. We are dedicated to the scientific study of suicide—discovering its causes and developing approaches for its prevention. Our research tests interventions across universal, selective, and indicated treatment methods and in a variety of vulnerable groups, including adolescents, older adults, victims of violence, and Veterans as well as individuals with medical, psychiatric, and social comorbidities.
Message from the Directors
We strive to educate a research workforce with the knowledge and skills to conduct the full spectrum of suicide studies and prepare early career investigators for successful academic careers. Now in its 23rd year, our fellowship is supported by a National Research Service Award (NRSA) from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).We strive to create a vibrant community of scholars whose diverse backgrounds and approaches to suicide prevention science contribute to our learning environment and to the Center’s ultimate goal of reducing suicide-related deaths.
We invite you to learn more, and reach out to us with questions related to our postdoctoral training program or the research projects we support. Thank you for your interest in our fellowship program, and your interest in contributing to the study and prevention of suicide.
Sincerely,
Yeates Conwell, MD & Kimberly Van Orden, PhD
Co-Directors of the Postdoctoral Fellowship Program in Suicide Prevention Research with the Center for the Study and Prevention of Suicide at the University of Rochester Medical Center
- Two years of stipend support and related benefits (with a third year available under some circumstances)
- Support from a primary mentor who will recommend courses and training activities based on your needs and research interests
- Intensive mentorship in grant writing, study design, and implementation as well as data analysis from core faculty
- Access to advisors from both the University of Rochester and the Veteran’s Affairs VISN 2 Center of Excellence for Suicide Prevention
- Collaborative relationship with the VA Advanced Fellowship in Veteran Mental Health & Suicide Prevention
- Clinical opportunities based on your program of research
Curriculum
As a fellow, you will participate in a combination of mentored research (study design and implementation, data analysis, grant and paper writing), seminars and didactic sessions on suicide research as well as topics related to more general academic career development. Based on your career goals and research objectives, the program will take 2 (or sometimes 3) years to complete.
The list below denotes faculty members who are actively recruiting fellows to join their labs for summer/fall 2023. (Other faculty members may be able to mentor as well and we encourage you to reach out).
Paul Geha, MD
- Chronic pain & suicide
- Methodologies include brain imaging & natural language processing
- Current projects for fellow involvement: study examining the language of chronic pain using natural language and acoustic analyses; study of brain biomarkers of risk and resilience to chronic pain using fMRI.
- Contact Dr. Geha
Marsha Wittink, MD
- Severe mental illness and psychotic disorders
- Medical comorbidity, especially cardiovascular disease, diabetes, COPD
- Hospital outcomes such as length of stay and readmission rate, primary care outcomes such as engagement in care, process metrics
- Current projects for fellow involvement: Opportunity to be involved in comparison of 3 medical psychiatry units, patient characteristics and health utilization outcomes, development of research infrastructure for longitudinal mental health, cognitive, functional and physical functioning over time.
- Contact Dr. Wittink
Check out our full list of faculty
Salary and Benefits
Stipends are as specified by NIH guidelines.
Fellows are eligible for health and life insurance benefits through the University of Rochester and a travel stipend is provided.
Learn About Living in Rochester
How to Apply
Because our program is supported by federal grant funding, applicants must be a US citizen or permanent resident. Trainees with backgrounds relevant to suicide prevention including psychiatry and other medical specialties, nursing, psychology, social work, or public health are best suited to this opportunity.
Members of under-represented groups are strongly encouraged to apply.
Application Checklist
- CV
- Statement of career goals and interests
- Three letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with the candidate’s academic performance
Upload your application materials here
Please have your letter writers email their letter, signed on letter head, directly to:
Yeates Conwell, MD
Program Co-Director
University of Rochester Medical Center
300 Crittenden Road
Rochester, NY 14642
Phone: 585-275-6739
Fax: 585-273-1066
E-mail: Yeates_Conwell@URMC.Rochester.edu
Contact Us
For questions or additional information regarding our program, please contact:
Fellowship Coordinator
Holly Murphy
(585) 275-2047
Fellowship Coordinator