Postdoctoral Fellowship

Postdoctoral Fellowship

Intensive Applied Behavior Analysis Assessment and Treatment Tracks

The Munroe-Meyer Institute at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska invites applicants for its Postdoctoral Fellowship in the Intensive Applied Behavior Analysis Assessment and Treatment Tracks beginning as early as July, with August and September start dates available. Postdoctoral training experiences are available in the following programs:

• integrated Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders (iCASD)
• Pediatric Feeding Disorders Department
• Severe Behavior Department

iCASD

The iCASD post-doctoral fellowship offers opportunities within our Autism Diagnostic Clinic, Behavioral Parent Training, Early Intervention and the Autism Care for Toddlers programs. The Autism Diagnostic Clinic provides postdoctoral fellows with the opportunity to work as part of an interdisciplinary team to evaluate children suspected of an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis. Postdoctoral fellows play an integral role in conducting diagnostic intakes and learn to conceptualize cases and triage patients to appropriate service lines. Postdoctoral fellows also will conduct comprehensive psychological assessments (including training and experience administering the ADOS-2), generate diagnoses and support families in accessing appropriate services and supports. Through our Behavioral Parent Training program, postdoctoral fellows provide outpatient treatment services (in-person or via telehealth) to patients and families with autism or other neurodevelopmental disabilities. Postdoctoral fellows become familiar with using manualized parent training curricula to support families in addressing a range of presenting concerns such as reducing mild-to-moderate challenging behavior, increasing communication skills and teaching adaptive living skills, such as toilet training. Clinicians may also support families in coping with and understanding their child's diagnosis, coordinate care with other providers or assist families in pursuing intensive treatment services as part of the parent training process. Postdoctoral fellows in the Early Intervention and the Autism Care for Toddlers (ACT and ACTION) Clinic programs gain experience providing intensive ABA services to young children diagnosed with autism, with an emphasis on developing skills in communication, imitation, social engagement and play skills. In the Early Intervention and the ACT programs, postdoctoral fellows will work alongside psychologists and/or doctoral-level behavior analysts, as well as doctoral- and masters-level BCBAs, to conduct comprehensive language assessments to inform the development and implementation of comprehensive treatment programs. Postdoctoral fellows will be trained in a variety of evidence-based treatments, including discrete trial training and natural environment teaching, aimed at promoting skill acquisition and generalization. Across all iCASD programs, opportunities to participate in on-going departmental research will be available. We anticipate accepting up to 4 postdoctoral fellows in iCASD.

Postdoctoral fellows are encouraged to develop an area of clinical expertise, to begin a corresponding programmatic line of research and to acquire the grant-writing skills necessary for securing extramural funding. The study and treatment of autism spectrum disorders, pediatric feeding disorders and severe destructive behavior are emphasized in this position, but individuals may also pursue the study and treatment of other genetic and behavior disorders.

Severe Behavior

In the Severe Behavior fellowship, fellows will learn applied behavior analytic assessment and treatment techniques for a wide range of presenting problems related to skill acquisition and behavior reduction. In the Severe Behavior rotation, fellows will participate in functional analyses, development of function-based treatment, generalization of treatment and caregiver training for individuals with severe destructive behavior (e.g., aggression, self-injury, destruction, etc.). Fellows play an integral role in conducting diagnostic intakes and learn to conceptualize cases and triage patients to appropriate service lines. Fellows also will conduct comprehensive psychological assessments and skill-based assessments with relevant cases. Twelve-month rotations are preferred, but not required. This year, we anticipate accepting at least one fellow into Severe Behavior.

Pediatric Feeding

In the Pediatric Feeding fellowship, fellows will participate in the development and implementation of assessment and treatment procedures, generalization of treatment and caregiver training for individuals with severe feeding difficulties (e.g., food selectivity, food refusal). Twelve-month rotations are preferred, but not required. This year, we anticipate accepting at least one fellow into Pediatric Feeding.

Program Information

We begin reviewing applications December 1 and will continue reviewing applications until we identify an appropriate candidate and in the event that we can accommodate additional positions. We accept postdoctoral research associates for one-year appointments within all of our programs. Postdoctoral fellows receive a variety of training opportunities related to conducting supervision for clinical cases and implementing research protocols for the purpose of improving clinical services for individuals with developmental and behavioral disorders. Prospective postdoctoral fellows are encouraged to contact the faculty member with whom they would like to work. You can find contact information on the faculty list. 

These positions are designed to provide interdisciplinary training in research and the provision of clinical services for individuals with genetic and behavior disorders and their families. Training occurs within the fertile clinical, research and teaching environment of the University of Nebraska Medical Center.

1. vita
2. letter of interest, including the following:
   - relevant qualifications, described
   - specific programs/faculty with whom you are interested in training
   - contact information for three references

For more information contact

Amanda Zangrilllo, PsyD, BCBA-D
Director, Severe Behavior Department
Send email
402-559-8866 | Toll Free: 1-800-656-3937 ext. 402-559-8866