Research and Scholarly Opportunities
Research and scholarly inquiry are integral components of the Cambridge Health Alliance (CHA) Psychology Postdoctoral Fellowship Program. Fellows receive protected research time to pursue scholarly activities that complement their clinical training, deepen their specialty expertise, and contribute to the advancement of psychological science and clinical care.
Protected Research Time and Mentorship
All psychology postdoctoral fellowships include dedicated research time, typically 20% of the training schedule, with specific allocations varying by fellowship track.
Fellows work with faculty mentors to identify scholarly activities aligned with their clinical interests, professional goals, and prior research experience. Depending on the fellowship and available opportunities, fellows may contribute to ongoing research studies, develop independent projects, participate in quality improvement initiatives, or conduct program evaluation and health services research.
Research mentorship emphasizes the development of skills in scientific inquiry, critical evaluation of evidence, research methodology, and scholarly communication. Fellows are encouraged to disseminate their work through conference presentations, peer-reviewed publications, and other professional forums.
Research Collaboration and Opportunities
The CHA Department of Psychiatry supports research across a broad range of clinical, population health, and health services topics. Faculty investigators collaborate across clinical disciplines, Harvard Medical School, Harvard University, and affiliated research institutions.
Fellows may participate in established research initiatives or develop projects in collaboration with faculty whose expertise aligns with their interests. The program encourages scholarship that addresses clinically meaningful questions, evaluates treatment approaches, and informs improvements in patient care and service delivery.
Research experiences are individualized, with the scope and expectations of scholarly activities determined by the fellow's training objectives, available mentorship, and the duration of the fellowship.
Research and Clinical Practice
CHA emphasizes the integration of scientific inquiry and clinical practice. Fellows are encouraged to approach clinical questions through a scholarly lens, drawing on empirical evidence to inform assessment, intervention, consultation, and program development.
Through collaboration with clinical and research faculty, fellows develop competencies that support their professional growth as evidence-based practitioners, educators, researchers, and leaders in healthcare settings.
Research Postdoctoral Fellowships
In addition to the clinical psychology postdoctoral fellowships, the CHA Department of Psychiatry periodically offers research-focused postdoctoral appointments under the supervision of individual faculty investigators.
These appointments are distinct from the clinical fellowship tracks and primarily emphasize participation in faculty-led research programs.
Research postdoctoral fellows who wish to pursue supplemental clinical training toward professional licensure may apply for clinical experiences within the Department of Psychiatry, subject to eligibility, available supervision, and departmental approval. Such arrangements require a separate review process coordinated with the Director of Postdoctoral Training and may include supervised clinical activities and participation in relevant educational seminars.