Universal Psychology Postdoctoral Directory Entry

VA Advanced Fellowship Program in Mental Illness Research and Treatment - VISN 4 Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC), VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System

VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC)
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Starts on Monday, August 24, 2026

Applications due Monday, June 1, 2026

This training experience is not an APPIC Member program and is not APA Accredited. Applicants should be aware that this training experience has not undergone a formal external quality review process.

Elements of quality clinically focused postdoctoral training

This training experience is a planned and programmed sequence of training that aims to ensure preparation for advanced practice rather than one that is focused on providing supervised hours for licensure. Yes

This training experience ensures that training takes precedence over service delivery regarding the nature, content, volume, and quality of the postdoc’s activities. Yes

This training experience ensures that postdocs receive at least two hours of individual supervision per week for the duration of the experience. Yes

This training experience is administered by a doctoral-level licensed psychologist who directs and organizes the training experience and its resources, is responsible for the selection of postdocs, and monitors and evaluates the goals and activities of the experience. Yes

This training experience has two or more doctoral-level licensed psychologists who have sufficient time to provide quality supervision and training.   Yes

This training experience includes regularly scheduled structured educational activities that help postdocs its defined goals. These activities may include didactics, seminars, case conferences, and/or research activities. Yes

This training experience has written Due Process and Grievance procedures. Yes

This training experience has the stable and necessary financial (e.g., stipend) and physical resources (e.g., computers, physical space) needed for effective training. Yes

This interdisciplinary program aims to train clinical psychologists, physicians, nurses, social workers, and other associated health graduates to become outstanding clinical researchers in high priority areas of mental health. Individualized, mentored research and clinical training are combined with a state-of-the-science curriculum that emphasizes research methods, statistics, epidemiology, mental health systems, quality improvement methods, education, and service delivery that center on the whole person. Training in professional skills includes manuscript preparation, grant writing, project management, networking, and the responsible conduct of research. Sites across the national network of VA Advanced Fellowship training sites are linked electronically for didactic, academic, and research efforts.

Fellows devote the majority of their time to Veteran-centered research and education activities and 25% to direct Veteran clinical care. In collaboration with their mentors, fellows will develop and implement a research project, publish, and present findings, participate in grant writing, and utilize the latest technology for educational activities and clinical service delivery. Psychology applicants must have obtained a doctorate from an APA-accredited program in clinical or counseling psychology and have completed an APA-accredited internship in clinical or counseling psychology. Fellows must be U.S. citizens. The VA funds the associated health professional stipends in amounts based on VA national standards with locality adjustments for cost-of-living in the area.

https://www.mirecc.va.gov/visn4/Education/fellowship.asp

Additional Information

Agency Type: VA Medical Center
APPIC Membership: No
APA Accredited: No
Other Emphasis: Mental Health
Research Time: 76-100%
Training Director: Gretchen L. Haas, PhD
Contact Email: sara.chapman@va.gov
Contact Phone: 412-360-2852
Virtual Interviews: Available
Duration in Months: 24
Hours Per Week: 40
# of Licensed Supervisors: 7
Number of Positions: 1
Applications recieved last year: 4
Accepts Int'l Students
Stipend: $55,142
Will follow APPIC Selection Standards: Exempt research focus
Estimated offer date: Wednesday, July 1 2026
Fringe Benefits: Health/dental insurance, sick and annual leave accrued at the rate of 4 hours per pay period (equals 13 days paid annual leave/13 days paid sick leave per year), federal holidays
Research opportunities: The primary goal of the fellowship program is to train MD, PhD (and other) postdoctoral fellows to become leaders in Precision Mental Health Care research—including basic and clinical sciences, and health services research with the aim of enhancing the effectiveness and impact of evidence-based treatments for Veterans with mental illness. Within the broad scope of Precision Mental Health Care, our MIRECC focuses on research that targets: 1) identification, validation and incorporation of putative biomarkers/other measures of disease, disorders and problems for incorporation in evidence-based care, 2) development of interventions, tools, treatment algorithms, and decision aids, to influence treatment choice, treatment planning, and program management integral to Precision Mental Health Care, and 3) the incorporation of implementation science in the translation of Precision Mental Health Care research to practice. Fellows will spend 75% of their time in research and research training; 25% time in a clinical rotation.
Additional Comments: An alternate start date would be considered on an individual basis, as needed. Applicants have the option to participate in interviews virtually or in-person.
Application Instructions: Interested psychologists who meet the eligibility requirements should send a cover letter, CV, transcripts, and three letters of recommendation to Gretchen L. Haas, PhD (gretchen.haas@va.gov) and Sara Chapman, MS, OT/L (PA) (sara.chapman@va.gov). The cover letter should specify the reasons for your interest in our MIRECC Fellowship training program, a brief overview of your previous clinical and research experiences, investigators you are interested in working with, and how you see this program promoting your professional and career goals.

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