Postdoctoral Scholar

Position overview



Salary range:
A reasonable estimate for this position is $69,073-$74,281, depending on experience level. See POSTDOCTORAL SCHOLAR EXPERIENCE-BASED SALARY/STIPEND MINIMUM -FISCAL YEAR

Application Window

Open date: October 16, 2026

Next review date: Monday, Nov 16, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)

Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.

Final date: Monday, Nov 30, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)

Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.

Position description

The Department of Psychology at the University of California, Irvine, is seeking a postdoctoral fellow to join the THRIVE Lab, directed by Dr. Jessica Borelli. The fellow will work on an NIH/NIDA-funded R33 project examining the effectiveness and implementation of Relational Health Enhanced Parenting Support (RHEP) within FIRST Steps Together, a peer recovery support program serving parents with substance use disorders and young children in Massachusetts. RHEP integrates principles from attachment-based interventions, including Mothering from the Inside Out, to strengthen peer-delivered parenting support and parent-child relationships.

The R33 is a Hybrid Type II effectiveness-implementation trial examining whether adding RHEP to existing services improves parenting-related outcomes, SUD treatment retention, and substance use, while also examining implementation processes and the role of peer recovery support specialists. The fellow will contribute to study coordination, data management and analysis, manuscripts and conference presentations, NIH reporting, and mentoring of research staff and students, with substantial opportunities to lead publications and develop independent research.

We are particularly interested in candidates with expertise in one or more of the following areas: parent-child relationships and attachment, substance use and recovery, intervention or implementation science, and community-engaged research. Applicants should have a PhD in psychology or a related field by the start date, strong quantitative and scientific writing skills, and a record of research productivity. Experience with clinical or implementation trials, longitudinal or multilevel analyses, or research with families affected by substance use is especially desirable.

The position is based at UC Irvine, with an anticipated start date of 12/15/26 or ASAP.

Qualifications

Basic qualifications (required at time of application)

1) PhD in clinical or developmental psychology

2) at least 5 years of research on parenting or parenting interventions

3) desire to collaborate with community partner Application Requirements

Document requirements

• Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.

• Cover Letter

• Statement of Research

Reference requirements

• 2 required (contact information only)

Apply link:

About UC Irvine

The University of California, Irvine is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories covered by the UC anti-discrimination policy.

As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct.

• "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment or discrimination, as defined by the employer.
• UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
• UC Anti-Discrimination Policy for Employees, Students and Third Parties
• APM - 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment.

As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.

Job location
Irvine, CA