Training Grant on Black Child Development

Pre and Post Doctoral Training Program in Research on Black Child Development

Supported by a training grant from the

National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

POSTDOCTORAL TRAINING PROGRAM

The postdoctoral training program is geared for fellows who received strong disciplinary training during graduate school but need a broader set of experiences relevant to research on the development of African American children. The program is mentor-based and offers opportunities to work with training faculty in developmental and clinical psychology programs and allied disciplines on a rich array of multi-method projects focusing on academic achievement, socioemotional and cognitive competence, physical health, and health behaviors. Opportunities also exist for fellows to develop independent projects consistent with the program’s research priorities.

Each fellow’s training extends over a two-year period and consists of five core components: (a) mentoring from faculty representing different but complementary disciplines, (b) coursework, (c) research seminars, (d) supervised/collaborative research in the laboratories of at least two of the training faculty, (e) conferences, national meetings, and special workshops and other professional development activities. We believe that the best training accommodates differences in individuals’ research-relevant background within the context of uniformly high standards of excellence. Hence, the nature of some of these program components will be individually tailored by each fellow’s mentoring committee.

Application Process

Postdoctoral Fellowship in Research on Black Child Development
University of North Carolina—Chapel Hill

The Training Program in Research on Black Child Development at the University of North Carolina is seeking applications for postdoctoral fellowships from ethnic minority and non-minority scholars committed to pursuing careers in behavioral research focusing on African American children and families.  The program, funded by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, offers opportunities for fellows to pursue independent projects and to work with training faculty in developmental and clinical psychology programs and allied disciplines on a rich array of multi-method projects focusing on academic achievement, socioemotional and cognitive competence, physical health, and health behaviors.  Training faculty include Oscar Barbarin, Martha Cox, Patrick Curran, Jean-Louis Gariepy, Karen Gil, Andrea Hussong, Deborah Jones, Beth Kurtz-Costes, Vonnie C. McLoyd, Peter Ornstein, Steve Reznick, Lorraine Taylor, and Lynne Vernon-Feagans.   Each fellow’s training will extend over a 2-year period.  The program provides a stipend (levels are set by NICHD and depend on trainee’s years of research experience), travel funds, and funds for research expenses.  It also covers health insurance for the trainee.
 
All candidates must have a doctoral degree (e.g., Ph.D., Ed.D., DSW) from an accredited university, show promise of research excellence, and be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident in accordance with NIH regulation.  Those with degrees in developmental, child clinical, human development, family psychology, and social work are especially encouraged invited to apply.  Applicants should submit a description of their research interests, a statement of their proposed research training and career development plan, and representative reprints/preprints, and have three letters of recommendations sent directly by their referees.  Send all application materials to bcpostdoc@unc.edu.  The deadline for applications is February 23, 2007. 

Decisions on admission are made by the training faculty as a whole. Selection is based on a review of a body of evidence, including letters of recommendation, academic record, research experience, and demonstrated interest in research on African American children and families. Primary weight is given to evidence of scientific aptitude and competence (e.g., quality of published papers, research experience, proposed projects). Acceptance for training is contingent on the commitment of at least two members of the training faculty to serve as mentors/research supervisors.

For questions, contact Vonnie C. McLoyd,  Stephen Baxter Distinguished Professor of Psychology, Director of Training Program in Research on Black Child Development, University of North Carolina—Chapel Hill, NC; email address: vcmcloyd@unc.edu.

Financial Support

The training program provides postdoctoral fellows a stipend (stipend levels are set by NICHD and depend on the trainee’s years of research experience) and an allotment of $500 per year for travel to conferences and professional meetings.  Funds are also available to help defray the costs of research supplies and materials directly related to the trainee's research.  In addition, the program covers health insurance for the trainee.

Core Faculty and Research Areas
Predoctoral Program
Postdoctoral Program
Current Trainees