Psychiatric Neuroimaging Research Fellowship
Description
The Psychiatric Neuroimaging Program in the Department of Psychiatry, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, offers a Psychiatric Neuroimaging Research Fellowship. This 1-year research training fellowship trains qualified psychiatrists in principles of neuroimaging as applied to psychiatric conditions. The specific condition or topic of study is broad but should focus on brain functions associated with psychiatric illnesses.
Purpose
It is the purpose of the fellowship to train clinical psychiatrists in the essential methods and intellectual competencies needed to pursue a career in psychiatric neuroimaging research.
Requirements for Admission
The Psychiatric Neuroimaging Fellowship is open to Board Eligible or Board Certified graduates of ACGME accredited psychiatric residency training programs who wish to pursue a career in Psychiatric Neuroimaging research.
Course of Training
The usual fellowship training period is full-time for 1-academic year beginning on July 1 and ending June 30. Exceptions to the training period are permitted with permission of the fellowship director.
Pre-Matriculation
Prior to matriculation in the formal program, the fellow is expected to define a training mentor and a general program of study for the fellowship period. Applicants are strongly advised to initiate a program of research with an identified mentor during the 4th year of residency training so that the fellowship can serve as extended training.
General Weekly or Monthly Activities
- Ongoing research in mentor’s laboratory.
- Attend Psychiatric Neuroimaging Program meetings.
- Attend Vanderbilt University Institute for Imaging Sciences (VUIIS) weekly lectures.
- Attend Department of Psychiatry Grand Rounds
- Attend VUIIS fMRI Workshops
Coursework
Specific coursework will be based upon the fellow’s training, experience, and project needs but may include training in statistics, neuroimaging physics, human subject’s protections, research design, MRI or PET software analysis packages.
Potential options include:
- Ongoing research in mentor’s laboratory.
- Attend Psychiatric Neuroimaging Program meetings.
- Attend Vanderbilt University Institute for Imaging Sciences (VUIIS) weekly lectures.
- Attend Department of Psychiatry Grand Rounds.
- Attend VUIIS fMRI Workshops.
- Additional course descriptions.
Specific Training Phases
Define Project
Working closely with the training mentor, the fellow should define a project of study to be completed during the fellowship period. It is expected that considerable preparatory literature review and planning will have been completed prior to starting the fellowship so that the initial period of the fellowship is spent in finalizing the specifics of the project of study. The project should be formalized and written in the style of an NIH research grant application (including only the ABSTRACT, RESEARCH PLAN, and LITERATURE CITED).
Present Project
The fellow will provide the written project description and present a brief description of the project and goals to the fellowship training committee. Upon revision of the project description and approval by the training committee, research on the project can commence.
Ongoing Research
The fellow will continue ongoing research with the mentor. During this period, the fellow should also develop a plan for application for future NIH funding. The fellow is strongly encouraged to consider additional fellowship or NIH career award applications as are appropriate for the fellow’s training and experience.
Final Analysis and Manuscript and Grant Preparation
The final months of the fellowship are devoted to final analysis of data, manuscript preparation and submission for publication, grant preparation for future NIH funding.
Salary and Benefits
Salary
Salary will be in line with NIH guidelines for research fellowships. The fellow will have standard Vanderbilt University Medical Center benefits including vacation, sick leave, and insurance. Additional details can be provided.
Scientific Meeting Attendance
The fellow will be provided $2,000 to attend a scientific meeting approved by the mentor.
Scientific Society Membership
The fellow will be sponsored for membership dues in a society approved by the mentor.