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2023-2024 Psychology Postdoctoral Fellowship in Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disabilities, Aurora, CO

Posted: Monday, November 21, 2022

JFK Partners—Colorado’s University Center of Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD) and Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (LEND) is the major training facility for the Autism and Developmental Disabilities Program. The training emphasizes an interdisciplinary approach to research, assessment, and intervention, family support, service coordination, and community integration to meet the needs of persons with developmental disabilities. Development of disciplinary and interdisciplinary expertise, leadership and consultation skills and research as well as clinical growth are the goals of the postdoctoral training program. The Psychology Post-Doctoral Fellow participates in interdisciplinary evaluations, interventions, and consultation with a wide range of persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) with an emphasis on working with individuals with ASD across the lifespan. The fellow also attends seminars offered at JFK Partners and in the Department of Developmental Pediatrics through Children’s Hospital Colorado and is expected to pursue a research project in developmental disabilities.

The Psychology Post-Doctoral Fellowship typically includes: 55% specialized clinical training (assessment, intervention, consultation) in IDD with an emphasis on ASD, 30% research, and 15% didactics (seminars, workshops, observations in various settings). As part of the research time, the postdoctoral fellow will be able to work on a DOD funded randomized controlled trial examining the efficacy of the adapted Facing Your Fears program for teens with ASD/IDD and anxiety. In addition, there will be an attempt, within these general parameters, to tailor training to the post-doctoral fellow’s expertise and learning goals. There are two licensed psychologists who supervise and mentor JFK post-doctoral fellows as primary faculty. Fellows will also have the opportunity to work with additional faculty in activities such as group therapy supervision of the Facing Your Fears program (link).

Fellows are provided office space, computer, and computer support (technical support, network access, internet access, software). Fellows have access to a wide variety of quality training experiences available on the CU Anschutz Medical campus in addition to their core training. Current statutes in Colorado require psychology "candidates for licensure" to have one year of supervised post-doctoral experience (which includes 1,500 hours of experience practicing psychology under supervision) before taking the Colorado examination for licensure. Fellows are expected to meet these requirements during the post-doctoral fellowship year.

The following faculty are involved in the JFK Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disabilities Post-Doctoral Fellowship:

  • Judy Reaven, Ph.D. (1985) University of Missouri – Columbia (Director of Post-Doctoral Training at JFK Partners)
  • Audrey Blakeley-Smith, Ph.D. (2005) Stony Brook University
  • Caitlin Middleton, Ph.D. (2014) Stony Brook University
  • Lisa Hayutin, Ph.D. (2006) University of Georgia
  • Lindsey DeVries, Ph.D. (2016) University of North Dakota
  • Allison Meyer, Ph.D. (2017) University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill
  • Nuri Reyes, Ph.D. (2013) Virginia Tech University

This postdoctoral fellowship is a one-year paid position, beginning July 1, 2023. The stipend for the 2023-24 training year is expected to follow the 2023 NRSA stipend schedule and health benefits. Previous clinical training and experience working with individuals with ASD/IDD is required. Applicants much have completed or be close to completing a doctorate from an APA-accredited (PhD or PsyD) Clinical, Counseling, School or Professional Psychology program and a one-year APA-accredited internship. Applicants must be able to show proof of doctoral degree within 2 months of starting the fellowship. 

Application Process:  Please include the following documents:

  1. Cover Letter Statement of Interest - Please include the answers to the following questions in your Statement of Interest:    
  2. Graduate School transcript
      • Describe why a fellowship at JFK Partners interests you.
      • Have you had any experience elsewhere with a Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (LEND) Fellowship?
      • Describe past experiences related to working with individuals with autism spectrum disorder or other neurodevelopmental disabilities.
      • How does advanced training in neurodevelopmental disabilities fit with your future professional plans?
      • What is the status of your dissertation/doctoral research project?
  1. Three (3) letters of recommendation from faculty or supervisors familiar with your interests and work relevant to this fellowship
  2. Resume/Curriculum Vitae

JFK Partners is committed to the recruitment of culturally and ethnically diverse individuals. Bilingual Spanish-speaking applicants, and all other qualified applicants, are encouraged to apply. 

The deadline for receipt of materials is January 1, 2023. Please send all materials to [email protected].

Please contact either Judy Reaven ([email protected]) or Christine Cook ([email protected]) with any questions.