Postgraduate Associate Position: Disturbances in Social Cognition and Functioning related to Psychiatric Conditions (full-time post-graduation)

Postgraduate Associate Position: Disturbances in Social Cognition and Functioning related to Psychiatric Conditions
Dr. Sarah Fineberg, Fineberg Lab, Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine
Full-time, post-graduation, position begins as soon as successful candidate is hired


The Fineberg Lab (Director: Dr. Sarah Fineberg, MD, PhD) is hiring a post graduate associate (PGA) to work on projects focused on experience, behavior, and neuroscience of borderline personality disorder. Overall, our research focuses on understanding the mechanisms behind disturbances in social cognition and functioning related to psychiatric conditions. The Postgraduate Associate (PGA) will work closely with Dr. Fineberg and team on multiple ongoing clinical trials and research studies. This position is focused primarily on a new study investigating the nature of impulsivity in adults with BPD over the lifespan. This is an ideal position for highly motivated recent college graduates hoping to gain research and clinical experience for career discernment and/or graduate school preparation. This role is designed to help a recent college graduate prepare for success in application and training to graduate school, especially in medicine, psychology, other clinical or social science disciplines. The PGA position will provide mentored opportunities in clinical research, including clinical work (interviewing skills, formulation of clinical data, risk management), clinical trial design and management, work with quantitative and qualitative data, and academic writing for manuscripts and oral presentations. PGAs can also audit Yale classes and attend a wide range of Yale seminars to develop knowledge and skills in specific areas of interest. Position details are taken from  https://postdocs.yale.edu/posts/2026-06-10-postgraduate-associate-position-in-psychiatry-at-the-fineberg-lab-at-the-yale. Requirements and Expectations: Requirements include (1) Bachelor’s or Master’s degree with coursework in a related field (i.e., psychology, sociology, cognitive science, biology, neuroscience); We encourage candidates with backgrounds in the humanities and social sciences to apply — we see interdisciplinarity as a strength; (2) strong written and verbal communication skills; (3) strong interpersonal skills (evidenced via experience in mentorship and leadership positions (either paid or volunteer), volunteer counseling or clinical work, front-of-house customer service experience, strong letters of recommendation from past employers or professors); (4) strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to work independently and collaboratively; and (5) prior experience with statistical analysis software (i.e., R, Matlab) and data collection software (i.e., REDCap, Qualtrics) is helpful, but not essential. No previous experience with clinical research is required. The Postgraduate Associate will receive training in all relevant aspects on the job. Additional Information: See our website for an overview of our team, publications, and current work. Location: CMHC W209, Connecticut Mental Health Center. Appointment Length: One year, with possibility of renewal for a second year. Start Date: As soon as a suitable candidate is identified. Compensation: See  https://postdocs.yale.edu/postgrads/being-a-postgrad-at-yale/postgraduate-compensation. Training: The PGA will receive training through mentored hands-on activities, directed readings, and meetings (individual and lab discussions) to develop skills in, but not limited to, the following areas: (1) clinical interviewing of people with psychiatric symptoms; (2) building rapport and tracking clinical change over longitudinal clinical research timepoints; (3) organization and analysis of clinical research data using REDCap, R, and Matlab; (4) design and regulatory aspects of clinical research and clinical trials; (5) writing and figure design for manuscripts, grants, and conference materials; (6) oral presentation of scientific data; and (7) mentoring (how to train more junior trainees). Highly motivated trainees may develop independent research projects and contribute to, or lead, conference presentations and/or scientific manuscripts (see recent examples on the lab website). Mentorship: (1) Dr. Fineberg will meet with the PGA formally in weekly individual meetings. (2) Dr. Fineberg and other lab staff will work directly with the PGA to provide the above-listed training by providing opportunities for the PGA to observe, be observed, and receive feedback as they learn. (3) Weekly lab meetings involve lively discussion of how to understand clinical assessments and how to use clinical language to present clinical assessments. (4) Dr. Fineberg will invite the PGA to co-review academic manuscripts to learn about the process of peer review. (5) Trainees may request opportunities to shadowing outpatient psychiatric treatment at the Connecticut Mental Health Center or in other settings related to their interests. (6) Dr. Fineberg will provide career development support tailored to the applicant’s professional goals (i.e., applications to medical school or graduate programs), including regular discussion of professional interests and evolving goals, close reading of application materials, and connection to additional career mentors. To Apply: Interested applicants, please mail fineberg.lab@yale.edu with a copy of your CV/resume, cover letter describing interest in the position, and a sample of written work you are proud of dated within the last year (any genre or subject welcome). Please make the subject line of your email: Fineberg PGA Position. (posted 6/2026)