Postdoctoral Research Training Program

Research at UMSON

UMSON supports groundbreaking research and scholarship that enhance the field of nursing, influence modern health care, and spark new thinking behind the ways in which we care for each other as a society. We are:

The University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) accepts applications for postdoctoral fellowship positions in these areas of research:

  • Community Engagement/Health Disparities
  • Geriatrics/Gerontology
  • Pain and Symptom Science and Multiomics

Funding is provided by UMSON and/or the National Institute of Health (NIH) National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS) Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) Program and is a joint CTSA partnership between University of Maryland, Baltimore* and Johns Hopkins University.

*This program is a collaborative effort among University of Maryland, Baltimore Schools of Dentistry, Law, Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, and Social Work.

About the Positions

Community Engagement/Health Disparities Position

The Department of Partnerships, Professional Education, and Practice (PPEP) at the University of Maryland School of Nursing accepts applications for a full-time post-doctoral position to join our community and global health research team.

Our research focuses on improving health equity and disparities by addressing the root causes of adverse health outcomes and disease. We use dissemination and implementation science and mixed methods research approaches to address the social determinants of health and gaps in the translation of research into practice.

Our vision is to eliminate health inequities and to improve the health and well-being of the most vulnerable in disadvantaged communities locally and globally. Focusing on mothers and children in our current projects, we seek to improve social isolation, cultivate family social connections, and dismantle barriers that contribute to health disparities.

The successful applicant will become part of a local/global community research program that is leveraging the best evidence from around the globe to improve global and community health, address social determinants of health, and eliminate health disparities.

Faculty Mentors

Rachel Blankstein Breman, PhD, MPH, RN (maternal health)
Assistant Professor, PPEP

Megan Doede, PhD, RN 
Assistant Professor FCH

Kelly Doran, PhD, RN 
Associate Professor, FCH
Co-Director, Biology and Behavior Across the Lifespan Organized Research Center

Lori A. Edwards, DrPH, BSN, RN, CNS-PCH, BC 
Associate Dean, Master of Science in Nursing Program
Assistant Professor, FCH

Robyn Gilden, PhD, RN (environmental health)
Associate Professor, FCH
Program Director, Environmental Health Certificate, FCH

Katie McElroy, PhD, RN (maternal health) 
Assistant Professor, FCH

Marik Moen, PhD, MPH, RN 
Assistant Professor, FCH

Veronica Njie-Carr, PhD, RN, ACNS-BC, FWACN 
Associate Professor, OSAH

Yolanda Ogbolu, Ph.D., CRNP-Neonatal, FNAP, FAAN
Professor, Chair, PPEP,
Co-Director, CHEOR
The Bill and Joanne Conway Dean of the University of Maryland School of Nursing

Further Resources

UMB School of Pharmacy Patient Program

Geriatrics/Gerontology Position

The Department of Organizational Systems and Adult Health at the University of Maryland School of Nursing accepts applications for a full-time postdoctoral position in geriatrics and gerontology to work with our research teams.

Our research focuses on promoting physical and functional activities for older adults in long-term care settings, engaging older adults in E-Health interventions, improving the management of behavioral symptoms and care practices for older adults with dementia, understanding mechanisms of symptoms in chronic disease, and addressing palliative care and managing associated symptoms. There are opportunities to collaborate with others who specialize in geriatrics and gerontology across the University and community partners who focus on care of older adults as well as participate in our centers of research that are relevant to aging within the School of Nursing and across campus.

Faculty Mentors

Joan Carpenter, PhD, CRNP, ACHPN, FPCN
Assistant Professor, OSAH

Elizabeth Galik, PhD, CRNP, FAAN, FAANP
Chair, OSAH
Professor, OSAH

Sarah Holmes, PhD, MSW
Assistant Professor, OSAH

Nicole "Jennifer" J. Klinedinst, PhD, MPH, RN, FAHA
Co-Director, Biology and Behavior Across the Lifespan Organized Research Center
Associate Professor, OSAH

Michael Lepore, PhD
Co-Director, CHEOR
Associate Director, ICTR Community and Collaboration Core
Professor, OSAH

Barbara Resnick, PhD, RN, CRNP, FAAN, FAANP
Associate Dean for Research
Co-Director, Postdoctoral Program
Professor, OSAH
Sonya Ziporkin Gershowitz Chair in Gerontology
Distinguished University Professor

Further Resources

School of Medicine Gerontology PhD Program

Pain and Symptom Science and Multiomics Position

A postdoctoral position focused on early drug discovery efforts to validate a non-opioid, non-addictive therapeutic target for pain management is available in the Pain and Translational Symptom Science (PTSS) Department at the University of Maryland, Baltimore. Our research includes target validation, high throughput drug screening to identify small molecules for testing in rodents and large animal models of chronic pain, and the identification of response biomarkers. The PTSS department has a vibrant and collaborative group of NIH R01-funded pain researchers who apply cutting edge methods in basic, translational and clinical research.

The department seeks a motivated postdoctoral fellow with experience and formal training in molecular and cellular biology and a strong interest in early drug discovery efforts. The ideal candidate will be able to independently design and perform basic and advanced molecular and cellular assays, including RNA and DNA extraction and purification, qPCR, cloning, cell culture, generation of stable cell lines, western blotting and immunohistochemistry. In addition, the candidate should have hands-on experience in rodent behavioral testing, ideally in chronic pain models. Other techniques of interest include but are not limited to experience with bioinformatics tools including programming and scripting languages and genome editing techniques and an interest in mining multiomics data for response biomarkers and identification of additional potential non-opioid therapeutic targets. The unique composition of UMB enables health professionals to address clinical care, public policy and social issues through inter-professional research, scholarship, teaching and community action.


Faculty Mentors

Luana Colloca, MD, PhD, MS
Professor, PTSS, School of Nursing
Director, Placebo Beyond Opinions Center
MPower Professor
Adjunct Professor, Department of Anesthesiology, School of Medicine

Susan G. Dorsey, PhD, RN, FAAN 
Professor, OSAH
Professor, Department of Neural and Pain Sciences, School of Dentistry
Professor, Department of Anesthesiology, School of Medicine

Amber Kleckner, PhD
Assistant Professor, PTSS

Ian Kleckner, PhD, MPH
Associate Professor, PTSS
Director, SYNAPSE Center

Cynthia Renn, PhD, RN, FAAN
Chair, PTSS

Gerald M. Wilson, PhD
Professor
Director, Graduate Program in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

 

Eligibility

  • U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident
  • Must have received a PhD (biology, bioinformatics, nursing, or a related field), MD, DDS or comparable doctoral degree by the beginning date of appointment
  • If funded by the TL1 training program, no other Federal funding is allowed
  • No more than 4 years of previous aggregate NRSA support
  • Evidence of scholarly achievement in terms of data-based publications, extramural funding for pre-doctoral research training, and participation in regional or national research presentations
  • Eligibility for appointment at the rank of postdoctoral fellow
  • Preferred qualification: Applicant is currently a registered nurse

Requirements

  • Pursue research training full time (40 hours per week)
  • Attend didactic training seminars at both University of Maryland, Baltimore and Johns Hopkins University
  • Complete a Clinical and Translational Research Project with Primary Mentor
  • Pursue training as a clinical or non-clinical postdoctoral fellow and complete a master’s degree in an area of clinical research or a certificate in Implementation and Dissemination Science or Clinical Research
  • Students must maintain good academic standing, a minimum semester GPA of 3.0
  • Clinical fellows would have to satisfy requirements for specialty clinical boards requirements

Candidates for this position should have strong motivation to develop an independent research career and excellent dissemination skills (oral and written).

Deadlines

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

See Open Postdoctoral Positions

 

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit a single PDF document to nrspostdocprogramdirector@umaryland.edu containing:

  • completed Application Questionnaire Form
  • a letter of interest
  • CV
  • brief personal statement describing research interests and career goals
  • contact information for three references.

In addition, you will be provided with specific instructions on how to submit applications to UMB ICTR directly.

Co-Directors

Barbara Resnick, PhD, RN, CRNP, FAAN, FAANP
Associate Dean for Research
Co-Director, Postdoctoral Program
Professor, OSAH

Eun-Shim Nahm,PhD, RN, FAAN, FGSA
Associate Dean for the PhD Program
Co-Director, Postdoctoral Program
Professor, OSAH

Questions?

Contact nrspostdocprogramdirector@umaryland.edu.


About UMSON's Organized Research Centers

Biology and Behavior Across the Lifespan (BBAL) Organized Research Center

The Biology and Behavior Across the Lifespan (BBAL) Organized Research Center investigates the management of disease, the optimization of health, and the ways in which biological findings can influence disease prevalence and progression.

Center to Advance Chronic Pain Research (CACPR)

The UM Center to Advance Chronic Pain Research (CACPR) arose from a strong foundation built on decades of successful pain research at the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) and by recognizing that the complex problem of chronic pain requires a broad perspective. The CACPR is a multidisciplinary center composed of nationally and internationally renowned clinical and preclinical translational scientists whose principle research focus is on the physiological, genetic, and psychosocial underpinnings of the development and persistence of debilitating chronic pain conditions.

Center for Health Equity and Outcomes Research (CHEOR)

The Center for Health Equity and Outcomes Research (CHEOR) aims improve health outcomes and eliminate health inequities.

Placebo Beyond Opinions (PBO) Center

The Placebo Beyond Opinions Center promotes interdisciplinary investigation of the placebo phenomenon in health care and nurtures a higher education placebo research program.

Symptom Science Using Neuroscientific and Psychological Approaches (SYNAPSE) Center

The Symptom Science Using Neuroscientific and Psychological Approaches (SYNAPSE) Center conducts research to predict, prevent, and treat medical symptoms by leveraging research on the psychology of mental states and perception along with their underlying neurobiological substrates.