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Postdoc Description
The interdisciplinary Prevention and Methodology Training (PAMT) program seeks recent Ph.D. recipients interested in obtaining post-doctoral training in prevention science and statistical methodology. The PAMT program is funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse through a T32 grant to two well-established and vibrant research centers at Penn State, the Prevention Research Center and the Methodology Center. The purpose of the program is to produce scientists trained in the integration of prevention and statistical methodology, and offers a unique opportunity for highly motivated post-doctoral students to continue their training in a synergistic environment that includes highly qualified prevention scientists and methodologists.

Prevention researchers are applying new methods and analytic strategies to maximize lessons learned from field trials of prevention strategies. At the same time, methodologists are using advances in measurement, research design, and data analysis to respond to the complexities of conducting field work in applied settings. Thus, the prevention field has a pressing need for two types of well-trained scientists. One is prevention scientists who apply the most appropriate methodology in their research, and are able to do this even when the methodology is advanced and cutting-edge. The other is methodologists who understand and are committed to prevention, who have experience “in the trenches” of prevention field work, and who work on improving and disseminating methodology for use in prevention research.

The PAMT program has been established in response to this need. The Prevention Research Center and the Methodology Center are working together to train researchers in the development and application of cutting-edge research methods and the design and evaluation of substance abuse and co-morbid prevention programs for children, youth, families, and communities. One goal of the PAMT program is to combine two existing “research cultures”—preventionists and methodologists––into a fluid community of preventionists who are comfortable with cutting-edge methods and methodologists who consider themselves prevention scientists. Each Center already has substantial funding from NIDA as well as other NIH institutes and a strong visible group of senior scientists in prevention science. Both Centers are in the College of Health and Human Development at Penn State and draw upon a superior history of research and research training. In addition, both have strong ties with other academic units at Penn State (College of the Liberal Arts, College of Education, Eberly College of Science, and Penn State College of Medicine); Pennsylvania state policy makers; substance abuse and children and youth service agencies and the public school community; and a network of internationally recognized prevention and methodological researchers from many fields. These linkages, combined with the strengths of the two Centers in substance abuse etiology, methods, statistics, evaluation, and program development and testing, provide a high-quality training environment for the development of future leaders of multidisciplinary research teams.

The program enrolls a balanced group of trainees, with some primarily or exclusively from a prevention background and others primarily from a methodological/statistical background. At the end of the training period, each trainee will have his or her own area of emphasis, but all will be conversant in both the science of drug abuse prevention and methodology. To foster this integration, all fellows will have two mentors: one of these mentors will be conducting Prevention research and one Methodological research.

Successful candidates will have a recently earned Ph.D. or equivalent degree in a behavioral science (e.g., psychology, sociology, human development), statistics, biostatistics, or public health; an excellent academic record; a commitment to a research career; and a strong interest in the integration of prevention science and statistical methods.

Awards will be two years in duration with stipends based on current NIH guidelines. All awards are based on final grant award notification from NIH. Health insurance, tuition, and travel funds are included in the award.

Due to funding restrictions all applicants must either be a U.S. citizen or possess a valid green card.

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis. The application consists of: a current curriculum vitae; a two-page statement summarizing the applicant’s experience in Prevention and/or Methods and anticipated future directions; identification of at least one proposed faculty mentor at Penn State; two letters of support.

All of the above may be submitted electronically.

For specific inquiries please contact:

Edward Smith, DrPH.

PAMT Program Director

The Pennsylvania State University

S105 Henderson Building

University Park, PA 16802

814-865-1201

eas8@psu.edu