HIV Postdoctoral Training Program
(NIMH: T32MH019139; Behavioral Sciences Training In HIV Infection)
THRIVE: Training in HIV behavioral Research: Intersectionality, InnoVation, and Equity
Program Director: Claude Ann Mellins, PhD
Co-Director: Jae Sevelius, PhD
Training Director: Justin Knox, PhD
Several generations of T32 fellows with Program Director at AIDS IMPACT conference, June 2023
Introduction
THRIVE is a postdoctoral research training program that provides education and experiential research learning opportunities focused on sexuality, gender, and mental health related to HIV prevention, treatment, and care across diverse populations in national and global contexts. Training in related work in medicine, epidemiology, biostatistics and qualitative analysis, health promotion, and implementation science is provided. The major components of our program are academic coursework, the development of research and professional skills, the conduct of independent research, and networking opportunities. Fellows work closely with a scientific mentor as well as other faculty, staff, and peers from the Division of Gender, Sexuality and Health and its HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies in the Department of Psychiatry, as well as other schools and departments at Columbia University Irving Medical Center.
Program Goals
The principal goals of the program are to provide:
- Structured academic training in biomedical and social/behavioral approaches to HIV prevention and treatment, with a focus on gender, sexuality, and mental health.
- Training in research and data analytic methodologies relevant to conducting studies on the above topics in domestic and global contexts, including implementation science and scale-up of interventions
- Opportunities for fellows to conduct independent research, including preparation of publications and acquisition of grant support, to prepare graduates for research careers.
We accomplish these goals by matching fellows with HIV Center faculty members who serve as research preceptors and who oversee the design and implementation of trainee research projects. In addition, trainees participate in a variety of conferences, workshops, lectures, and consultations held at the HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies, the Mailman School of Public Health, and the Columbia University Irving Medical Center. By the end of training, fellows will have developed and implemented a research project under the supervision of their preceptor, conducted data analysis, prepared first-authored manuscripts based on study data, presented study findings at internal and external scientific meetings, and applied for funding to support an independent research career after training.
Program Provisions
Each fellow is provided with a training stipend, limited funds for travel and general research training costs associated with the fellowship. All recipients of NIH research fellowships must sign an agreement with the NIH that they will fulfill a "service payback" commitment in return for their postdoctoral support. Under the provisions of this commitment, postdoctoral fellows in the first 12 months of their training program will incur an obligation which can be satisfied by an additional 12 months of NIH-supported research training or an equal number of months of health-related research or teaching. Individuals completing two years of postdoctoral support have no further service obligations stemming from postdoctoral support. Trainees who complete less than two years of training may be liable for a financial payback obligation for part or all NIH-funded training.
Eligibility
Trainees must have received their doctorate (or medical) degree at the time of appointment, demonstrate a commitment to a career in HIV-related research, particularly focused on sexuality, gender, mental health, and/or intersectionality, and have a record of academic excellence. To be appointed to the program, applicants must be a U.S. citizen, non-citizen national of the United States, or must have been lawfully admitted for permanent residence (i.e., in possession of a currently valid Alien Registration Receipt Card I-551 or must be in possession of other legal verification of such status). Individuals on temporary or student visas are not eligible. Candidates who are members of NIH-defined underrepresented in medicine or academia groups are strongly encouraged to apply. We are an equal opportunity employer.
Application Process
Per July 1, 2025 there will be three openings in the Program, pending NIH grant renewal. If you are interested in the program and want to apply, please submit an application to the following link: https://rfmhhelp.nyspi.org/EducationPortal/.