CRIA Predoctoral Training Program

The predoctoral training is a four-year commitment, which is the average duration of doctoral training for most of our programs. 

Trainees will have the guidance of qualified mentors as they develop and pursue their independent research objectives. Mentors are assigned based on areas of research interest, faculty resources and availability, and specific expertise that would benefit a fellow.

Overview of research training and activities

Each mentor provides detailed training in conceptualization, methodology, and ethics of research in the trainee's primary area of study. Trainees will also participate in a core curriculum, as well as have an opportunity to participate in a supplemental curriculum. The core curriculum consists of three components, listed below in detail, that include:

  • a one credit course each semester
  • Clinical and Research Institute on Addiction's seminar series
  • Formal didactic coursework 

Core Curriculum

CHB 620: Special Topics (1 credit each academic semester)

  1. Foundations of Interdisciplinary Alcohol Research - this seminar is designed to provide information on alcohol research, with coverage of topics that pertain to etiology and treatment. 
  2. Seminal Articles in Alcohol Studies - monthly round table session in which trainees and other interested faculty read and discuss seminal articles in the alcohol field, as well as broader articles that have been influential in alcohol research.
  3. Grant Writing - ongoing training to prepare all trainees to write career-appropriate federal funding grant applications (i.e. F32 for predoctoral level and K01/Kl2 for postdoctoral level).
  4. Statistics Workshops - workshop topics include mixed modeling regression, power analysis, sample size determination, and ordinal data analyses. 
  5. Professional Issues and Career Development - this seminar includes topics related to the development of a professional career, including developing a vita, publishing, determination of authorship, reviewing manuscripts and grant applications, applying for jobs and negotiating offers, teaching, mentoring, leadership, management, and maintaining a balance between professional goals and personal life. 

CRIA Seminar Series

The seminar series includes multidisciplinary presentations from nationally and internationally prominent researchers, as well as from researchers from the University at Buffalo. Trainees are required to attend each of the 8-10 seminars that are presented annually.

Formal Coursework

In addition to the workshops and seminars described above, all trainees will take the following:

  1. 3 credit graduate course in ethics (CHB 520: Public Health Ethics: An Interdisciplinary Exploration).
  2. All predoctoral trainees will take at least one 3 credit course in addictions (Psychology students will take PSY 830: Psychology of Drug Addiction - Theory, Assessment and Treatment; Social Work students will take SW 587: Addiction in the Family; Public Health students will take CHB 500: Public Health and the Addictions).

Faculty

Our faculty come from diverse yet complimentary disciplines such as psychology, social work, public health and the psychobiological sciences. All faculty have extensive alcohol research experience and are productive researchers with current grants or substantial external support.

How to Apply

Interested individuals are encouraged to contact co-directors Kenneth E. Leonard or Gregory G. Homish, in advance of submitting materials. 

Applications including a vita, representative reprints, three letters of reference, and a cover letter expressing research interests and training goals may be sent to Kim Larkin at klarkin@buffalo.edu.

Alcohol Research Postdoctoral Training Committee
Attn: Kenneth E. Leonard and Gregory G. Homish
Clinical and Research Institute on Addictions
1021 Main Street
Buffalo, New York 14203-1016

Applicants must be citizens or noncitizen nationals of the U.S. or must have been lawfully admitted for permanent residence. AA/EOE. 

Application Due

  • May 15 Predoctoral applicants apply by May 15 for the August start
Participants