Career Opportunities

The Center for OCD and Related Disorders at Columbia University & the New York State Psychiatric Institute in New York City, directed by Blair Simpson, MD, PhD, seeks to recruit two postdoctoral fellows: one to start Summer/Fall, 2026 and the second to start Summer/Fall, 2027. Both positions are funded by NIMH T32 training awards and are designed for those eager to develop an independent research career (see https://www.columbiapsychiatry.org/education-and-training/research-training).

1. The first position, starting Summer/Fall of 2026, is the Columbia University Research Fellowship in IMPACT-MH (Implementation Science and Partnerships Advancing Care and Training in Mental Health). This T32 fellowship program trains future researchers who are committed to reducing the persistent mental health treatment gap in the United States (U.S.) in the methodology of implementation science. The fellow will work directly with Drs. Sapana Patel and Blair Simpson to support activities in IMPACT-OCD (Improving Providers’ Assessment, Care Delivery and Treatment of OCD). This unique statewide program funded by the New York State Office of Mental Health (NYS-OMH) utilizes community-based participatory approaches and the principles of implementation science to improve care for individuals with OCD in NY State. Our interdisciplinary team of experts with personal and family-lived experience, clinicians, researchers, and policymakers develop and evaluate strategies to increase the adoption of evidence-based care for OCD within community mental health clinics and other care settings. The fellow will have a unique opportunity to participate in state and federally-funded research projects to build their program of independent research.
2. The second position, starting Summer/Fall of 2027, is the Columbia University Research Fellowship in Mood and Anxiety Disorders. This fellow will join Dr. Simpson’s clinical research program, which is focused on translating neuroscience into new treatments for anxiety and OCD. Candidates will participate in various research studies (http://columbiapsychiatry.org/ocd). Mentored by Dr. Simpson, they will also have protected time to develop their own patient-oriented research projects that could ultimately lead to a K-award or other NIH funding and to an independent research career. The application process starts in November 2026 and requires candidate’s to submit a project proposal; thus, interested candidates should reach out to Dr. Simpson as soon as possible and no later than October 1, 2026.

For either position, candidates should have a PhD or PsyD in clinical psychology, an MD, or a related degree, be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, and have experience working with individuals with OCD.

Interested applicants should send a copy of their CV and a cover letter addressing the reasons that they are interested in the position, their clinical experience with anxiety and OCD, and their career goals. For the T32 in Implementation Science (start Summer/Fall 2026), interested candidates should contact Dr. Sapana Patel at IMPACTOCD@nyspi.columbia.edu. For the T32 in Mood and Anxiety Disorders (start Summer/Fall 2027), interested candidates should contact Dr. Blair Simpson at Blair.Simpson@nyspi.columbia.edu no later than October 1, 2026.