Assistant Professor of Psychiatry

DescriptionWe are seeking a highly motivated and experienced individual to lead and oversee various components of our research program focused on substance use disorders (including alcohol) and/or other behavioral/psychiatric disorders. The successful candidate will be responsible for designing and implementing neuroimaging studies, developing, and managing imaging pipelines, and supervising a team of researchers and technicians in database management. This role requires a strong background in neuroimaging methodologies, clinical human research, substance use disorders, and other behavioral/psychiatric populations as well as a proven track record of publications and presentations at national and international conferences. In addition, the ideal candidate will have prior experience working with neuromodulation techniques, in particular, focused ultrasound neuromodulation. In addition, the ideal candidate will have prior experience working with clinical trials investigating new and/or off-label pharmacological interventions for substance use disorders and/or other behavioral/psychiatric disorders.
*Key Responsibilities:*Program Leadership and Oversight:Lead and direct the neuroimaging research program focused on substance use disorders and/or other behavioral/psychiatric disorders.Manage and oversee the day-to-day operations, ensuring efficiency, scientific rigor, and compliance with ethical standards.Stay current with advances in neuroimaging and addiction neuroscience and behavioral medicine, integrating new methodologies and technologies into the research agenda.Research Design and Implementation:Design and oversee the implementation of neuroimaging protocols, ensuring scientific rigor, reproducibility, and adherence to regulatory guidelines.Utilize electrophysiological, neuromodulation, cognitive batteries, and subjective questionnaires to assess and improve monitoring, assessment, and treatment for substance use disorder and other co-occurring or independent behavioral/psychiatric disorders.Independently and collaboratively carry out applied research projects aimed at improving patient outcomes.Pipeline Development and Management:Create, manage, and implement neuroimaging pipelines to facilitate the analysis and replication of studies.Ensure pipelines are efficient, scalable, and compatible with large-scale datasets.Oversee data processing, quality control, and management of neuroimaging databases.Mentorship and Supervision:Supervise and mentor researchers, postdoctoral fellows, and students, providing guidance on MR protocols, scan acquisition, and neuroimaging analysis.Train staff in neuroimaging techniques, data management, and relevant software tools.Grant Writing and Funding Acquisition:Contribute to and lead grant writing efforts, providing neuroimaging expertise to secure external funding.Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders on multi-site grants and large-scale clinical trials.Knowledge Translation and Dissemination:Present research findings at national and international conferences.Publish in high-impact, peer-reviewed journals, demonstrating a strong track record of scientific contributions.Foster collaborations with academic, industry, and clinical partners.
The University of Virginia Medical Center is located on the main university grounds of the University of Virginia. The University of Virginia is annually ranked as one of the premier public institutions in the United States and is located in Charlottesville, a picturesque small but cosmopolitan city that offers a blend of historic charm, natural beauty, and cultural vibrancy.UVA assists faculty spouses and partners seeking employment in the Charlottesville area. To learn more about these services, please visit [ For more information about UVA and the surrounding area, please visit [ in neuroscience, neuroimaging, psychology, biomedical engineering, or a related field.Extensive experience in neuroimaging research, including MRI acquisition, processing, and analysis.Expertise in substance use disorder research and/or addiction neuroscience.Strong publication record with evidence of presentations at national and international conferences.Proficiency in neuroimaging tools (e.g., FSL, FreeSurfer, MRtrix3, SPM, AFNI) and programming languages (e.g., MATLAB, Python, R).Experience with neuromodulation techniques (e.g., focused ultrasound) and electrophysiology is highly desirable.Demonstrated ability to lead and mentor a multidisciplinary research team.Excellent written and oral communication skills.Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a research team.Preferred Skills and Experience:
Experience in clinical trials involving neuroimaging and/or neuromodulation.Experience in clinical trials involving individuals with substance use disorder and other behavioral/psychiatric disordersFamiliarity with BIDS format, large-scale data management, and reproducible pipelines.Knowledge of Bayesian and Frequentist statistical approaches for neuroimaging data analysis.Experience with database management and statistical software (e.g., SPSS, R, or SAS).
Application InstructionsPlease apply online at .
Interested applicants should submit:A cover letter outlining relevant experience and research interests.A CV including a full list of publications and presentations.For additional information about the position, please contact Greg Benham at [email protected].