Applications are currently closed but will re-open on a rolling basis.

brainThe Department of Psychology at Rutgers University-New Brunswick, NJ invites applications for an RU Inclusive Excellence postdoctoral fellowship. The position is a one-year position with an option for a one-year renewal. Candidates must have a Ph.D. in Psychology, Neuroscience, or a closely related discipline by the time of appointment – the area of specialty is open. The successful applicant will be expected to develop and maintain an active research program, pursue extramural postdoctoral funding to extend the original appointment, and teach two classes per year at the undergraduate level in the field of psychology.

The department seeks an individual whose background would contribute to and enhance the diversity of the department and the field of Psychology at large in either of, or a combination of, the following three ways:

  1. The applicant is a person who belongs to a group that has been historically underrepresented in the U.S. and Psychology (i.e., Black, Latinx, Native American).

  2. The applicant’s research expertise contributes to Diversity Science, broadly construed (i.e., as defined below), in any area of psychology or brain science.

  3. The applicant has been involved in work designed to increase diversity (e.g., working in organizations that advance diversity and representation, organizing events on diversity-related topics, etc.). This includes, but is not limited to, the ability to teach topics related to Diversity Science.

In the Psychology Department at Rutgers, we understand that human diversity comes in many forms, including differences based on racial identity, culture, ethnicity, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, economic class, and ability or disability (including neurotypical and atypical populations). Understanding how psychological principles are expressed and inflected through the lens of these differences is central to our mission as a department. We understand Diversity Science to include research in human or animal models that bears on any of the aforementioned differences and therefore potentially involves research in all four areas of the department (i.e., social, cognitive and clinical psychology as well as behavioral and systems neuroscience). Moreover, diversity itself is not just a topic to be studied, but a reality to be lived. Rutgers’ student body and geographic location are characterized by broad cultural, ethnic, political, and socioeconomic diversity and we are committed to building a program of educators and researchers that integrate with and nurture its diversity.

The successful applicant should first obtain the endorsement of at least one tenured or tenure track Psychology faculty member at Rutgers who is willing to serve as their primary mentor (see below). Applications consisting of a CV, doctoral thesis abstract, research proposal, professional statement including contributions to diversity and equity, teaching interests, and two recommendation letters, one of which should come from the Rutgers Psychology faculty member(s) who would serve as the primary mentor(s) will be submitted electronically at the time of applications. The review of applications will continue until the position is filled, but timely submission of materials is recommended for full consideration. Finalists will be asked to submit 1) a teaching plan and 2) a training plan developed in collaboration with the proposed mentor(s). Training will occur in basic behavioral, clinical, social, cognitive/computational, neuroscience, or translational research areas under the direct supervision of a faculty member. Specific aspects of the fellow’s training will depend on the academic interests and expertise of the mentor(s). A personalized mentoring component will support the trainee with various personal and professional goals and develop a professional network. Clinically oriented applicants for the position will also have opportunities to obtain supervised clinical service provision relevant for pursuing state licensure.

Your application should include:

  • CV (including notable educational/academic accomplishment) 
  • doctoral thesis abstract (one page maximum) 
  • postdoctoral research proposal (not to exceed 1500 words, excluding references and citations) 
  • professional statement including contributions to diversity and diversity science (no more than 1000 words) 
  • teaching statement of interests (no more than 1000 words) 
  • 2-3 recommendation letters, one of which should come from the Rutgers Psychology faculty member(s) who would serve as the primary mentor(s).
  • For Finalists: Mentoring and teaching plan (submitted by finalists in collaboration with proposed faculty mentor(s), 1 page max) 

Applicants may contact Diana T. Sanchez, Ph.D. with questions or concerns about the application or review process, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Inclusive Excellence Faculty Mentors: