Psychology Post-Doctoral Scholar

Job Title

Psychology Post-Doctoral Scholar – Full-Time

Lexington, KY

$65,000 annually

The Treatment Innovation for Psychological Services (TIPS) Research Group in the Psychology department of the College of Arts & Sciences at the University of Kentucky seeks a full‑time postdoctoral scholar. The role is contingent on federal funding and is offered for an initial 1‑year term, with a possibility of extension into a second year based on funding and progress. The scholar will be co‑mentored by Drs.

Shannon Sauer‑Zavala (UK) and Matt Southward (Ohio State University).

The postdoctoral scholar will primarily engage in the treatment, assessment, and analysis of our NIMH‑funded clinical trial, “Engaging Higher Order Mechanisms of Psychopathology: A Parsimonious Approach to Precision Medicine.” Responsibilities include serving as a study therapist or study assessor, providing supervised clinical hours for licensure, participating in tiered supervision of graduate student clinicians, mentoring graduate students and post‑baccalaureate project coordinators, and spending approximately 20 hours per week on protected scholarly activities (manuscript writing, grant writing) using archival data from completed and ongoing trials.

• Provide CBT treatment and diagnostic assessment in the clinical trial.
• Conduct study assessments and therapy sessions under supervision.
• Mentor graduate student clinicians and provide research mentorship.
• Allocate ~20 hours per week for research activities (manuscripts, grants).
• Maintain accurate data and comply with research protocols.

• PhD in Clinical Psychology, APA‑ and/or PCSAS‑accredited.
• Experience with CBT interventions, preferably treating borderline personality disorder.
• Experience with diagnostic assessment.
• Research interest in dimensional models of psychopathology, personality science, borderline personality disorder, and treatment outcome research.

Applicants must submit a cover letter, CV, current transcript, and email the names and contact information for three professional references to Dr. Shannon Sauer‑Zavala at ssz
. Review of applications will begin on November 1, 2025 and continue until the position(s) are filled.

February 28, 2026

This position is contingent on the award of federal grant funding. If federal funding is not secured, the position will remain unfilled.

The University follows both the federal and state Constitutions as well as all applicable federal and state laws on nondiscrimination. The University provides equal opportunities for qualified persons in all aspects of institutional operations and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, uniformed service, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information or social or economic status.

Any candidate offered a position may be required to pass pre‑employment screening as mandated by University of Kentucky Human Resources.