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Postdoctoral Fellowship Program
For Underrepresented And
Disadvantaged Scholars


Sponsored In Partnership With The Office
Of Equity And Diversity

The Department of Psychology Postdoctoral Fellowship Program for Underrepresented and Disadvantaged Scholars is designed to promote diversity of experience and perspective within the department and broader campus community and to encourage graduates from underrepresented groups to pursue careers in university teaching and research. These fellowships provide an annual stipend (salary) and support for research and professional development for 2 years and individualized mentoring in research and professional development by departmental faculty. Opportunities for mentored teaching experience consistent with career-development goals are available. We offer structured research opportunities in social, emotional, and cognitive development, clinical neuropsychology, developmental psychopathology, clinical intervention and dissemination research, executive functioning in early childhood, applied cognition and distracted driving, and (in conjunction with the Department of Anthropology) spatial cognition and navigation.

We have appointed 3 postdoctoral fellows to 2-year appointments, 2016-2018. Thus, we will not be soliciting applications for this program again until Fall 2017, with appointments to begin July 1, 2018, pending the availability of funding.

Applicant Information

The program is seeking applicants with the potential to bring to their academic and research careers the important perspective that comes from their non-traditional educational background or understanding of the experiences of members of groups historically underrepresented in higher education in the United States. Accordingly, postdoctoral scholars from diverse racial/ethnic backgrounds (African American/Black, Hispanic/Latina/o, American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian American, Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander) are strongly encouraged to apply. We also encourage applications from female postdoctoral scholars in subfields where they are significantly underrepresented, from first-generation college graduates, and from those who have an otherwise non-traditional background.
In addition to the general eligibility requirements, eligibility to apply for these fellowships is limited to

  • all citizens or nationals of the United States, and individuals with refugee, asylee, or DACA status, regardless of race, national origin, religion, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or veteran status
  • individuals awarded a doctorate by July 1, 2016

Criteria for Selection

The following will be considered as positive factors in choosing successful candidates:

  • Superior achievement in academics, research, teaching and/or clinical practice
  • Degree of promise of continuing achievement as research scholars and teachers
  • Fit of research interests and skills to research programs of one or more departmental faculty members
  • Non-traditional educational background, disadvantaged background, or a background that suggests an understanding of the experiences of members of groups historically underrepresented in higher education in the United States

Stipend and Benefits

  • Annual stipend: Starting at $42,840 (FY 2015), consistent with NIH salary guidelines for years of experience
  • A full benefits package
  • Up to $5000 for research, professional development and conference travel expenses

Application Procedure and Deadlines

Because we have appointed 3 postdoctoral fellows for 2016-2018, we will not be soliciting new applications for this program until Fall 2017, pending the availability of funding.

Please visit our FAQ page.

Last Updated: 6/4/21