Vanderbilt Psychology Postdoctoral Fellowship in Autism and Developmental Disabilities
Location: Vanderbilt Kennedy Center’s Treatment and Research Institute for Autism Spectrum Disorders (TRIAD) and Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC), Nashville, Tennessee
Position: 2026-2027 Postdoctoral Clinical Fellowship in Autism and Developmental Disabilities (up to 2 positions available)
Description: The Vanderbilt Kennedy Center (VKC) for Research on Human Development and the Division of Developmental Medicine in VUMC’s Department of Pediatrics are accepting applications for a clinical psychology postdoctoral fellowship in the area of autism and developmental disabilities. The Vanderbilt Kennedy Center provides an exceptional research and training environment, reflecting synergy across our NICHD-supported Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center (IDDRC), MCHB-supported Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (LEND) grant, University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD), and programs within TRIAD.
The fellowship is housed within TRIAD, the hub for campus-wide interdisciplinary work in autism research, service, outreach, and training. Fellowship activities include diagnostic evaluations of children with possible autism through research projects and our hospital-based developmental clinic, with the goal of obtaining ADOS-2 research reliability. Fellows will also be involved in telemedicine-based assessment and diagnosis. In collaboration with our TRIAD Professional Development, Training, and Outreach Team, fellows will participate in school-based consultation and support, as well as develop and deliver online and live training modules to caregivers, service providers, and school personnel. Fellows will serve as long-term trainees within our Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (LEND) program. This includes participation in 300+ hours of activities that include online learning modules, leadership seminars, interprofessional group projects, and other requirements during the academic year.
This postdoctoral clinical fellowship is a one-year paid position with fringe benefits, likely commencing late August 2026. Salary is commensurate with NRSA postdoctoral beginning stipend levels. Previous clinical training and experience in working with children with autism and related developmental differences is required, as is completion of an APA-accredited PhD/PsyD clinical or school psychology doctoral program and internship. Dissertation defense and other graduation requirements must be completed prior to start date.
Application Process: Applications should include:
- a current curriculum vita,
- a letter describing clinical interests and experience, and
- recommendation letters from at least two references who have worked with the applicant in different contexts. These can be submitted directly by letter writers or compiled and sent by the applicant.
Send materials by email to TriadPostDoc@vumc.org. Although we will continue to review applications until all positions are filled, please submit applications by Friday, December 5 for priority consideration. We anticipate hosting virtual interviews in January 2026.
Vanderbilt Health is committed to fostering an environment where everyone has the chance to thrive and is committed to the principles of equal opportunity. Applicants must be United States citizens due to grant funding requirements.