Vanderbilt Memory & Alzheimer’s Center Post-Doctoral Neuropsychology Fellowship

Application deadline is December 1st

The Vanderbilt Memory & Alzheimer’s Center seeks applicants for a two-year clinical neuropsychology fellowship, commencing in the July 1- September 1. The fellowship opportunity provides specialized clinical and research training in geriatric neuropsychology.

Vanderbilt Memory & Alzheimer’s Center Post-Doctoral Fellowship offers advanced training in clinical neuropsychology. Training is in the context of the outpatient Cognitive & Behavioral Neurology Clinic at Vanderbilt University Medical Center where neuropsychologists address physician referrals in early detection, differential diagnosis, and treatment planning for geriatric patients with suspected cognitive impairment. This clinical resource offers a catchment area including Nashville and Knoxville, TN as well as 6 neighboring states. At present, the clinic follows more than 400 individuals with mild cognitive impairment and mild Alzheimer’s disease. The Clinic has three neurologists and five neuropsychologists actively covering clinical demand for memory loss work-ups. Trainees gain extensive education in brain-behavior relationships with concentrated training in clinical interviewing, case conceptualization, report writing, and development of individualized recommendations for patients. Clinical training occupies approximately 50% of the fellow’s professional time.

Also, the fellow will be heavily involved in an active NIH-funded research program led by Dr. Angela Jefferson focusing on modifiable risk factors for unhealthy cognitive aging, including prospective and retrospective studies examining vascular health factors and Alzheimer’s disease biomarkers for cognitive decline. Fellows will develop independent research ideas and engage in research activities by conducting clinical interviews, neuropsychological data collection, data analysis (in collaboration with a biostatistical team), and manuscript preparation. The methods employed in the laboratory include structural and functional neuroimaging using MRI, neuropsychological testing, and assessments and techniques of cognitive neuroscience. Numerous didactics and professional development opportunities are available to support the fellow’s training activities.

The overall aim of this fellowship is to train clinical scientists for a career in cognitive aging research and board certification in clinical neuropsychology. This is accomplished through training in these profession-wide competencies: research and scholarly activities, evidence-based assessment and diagnosis, ethical and legal standards, individual and cultural diversity, communication and interpersonal skills, professional value and attitudes, supervision and teaching, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Fellows complete evaluations with supervisors biannually. The program has Due Process and Grievance procedures.

• Applicants must be clinical psychology doctoral candidates with a pre-doctoral internship emphasizing neuropsychology.
• Applicants must have completed all requirements for the doctoral degree before fellowship commences.
• Benefits include health insurance, dental insurance, sick and personal time, and a modest travel stipend.
• The application deadline is December 1st. Telephone or Skype interviews will be completed in December and on site interviews (in January) will be reserved for top candidates.
• The fellowship is aligned with the Houston Conference guidelines and fulfills ABPP board certification eligibility requirements in clinical neuropsychology as well as Tennessee state licensure requirements. This position is not part of the APPCN matching program.

Interested candidates should email the following materials to Dr. Angela Jefferson (angela.jefferson@vumc.org):

• detailed cover letter outlining career goals, interests, and fit with our clinical and research program
• curriculum vita
• graduate transcript(s)
• three recommendation letters (one of which must be from an internship supervisor)
• two de-identified clinical work samples

A complete explanation of the neuropsychology fellowship program can be found here.

Please click here to learn more.