Two Postdoctoral Positions – University of New Mexico
Center on Alcohol, Substance use, and Addictions (CASAA)
The Center on Alcohol, Substance use, and Addictions (CASAA) at the University of New Mexico announces two open postdoctoral positions on our NIAAA Institutional Research Training grant, which has been renewed through 2030. The goal of the grant is to prepare future NIH scientists to conduct rigorous alcohol research across a range of areas including evidence-based treatment, mechanisms of behavior change, precision medicine, comorbidity and the individual- and system-level factors related to alcohol use, polysubstance use, and other addictive behaviors, technology-based interventions, and implementation science; and draws on several new conceptual and methodological approaches with the goal of reducing the public health burden of alcohol use disorder. The grant supports four predoctoral fellows in the Department of Psychology and three postdoctoral fellows who may come from any discipline relevant to the goals of the training program. Fellows work with one of the core training faculty as primary mentor and have a secondary mentor as well. Primary mentors include: Katie Witkiewitz (Training Director), Frank Schwebel (Associate Training Director), Tara Bautista, Cassandra Boness, Leslie Brick, Joshua Grubbs, Margo Hurlocker, Megan Kirouac, Matison McCool, Colin Mahoney, Matthew Pearson, Jane Ellen Smith, and Kamilla Venner.
Due to the tremendous success of current trainees in receiving grants and faculty positions, we have at least two openings to support a postdoctoral fellow for 2025-2026. Applicants must meet the following criteria:
(1) demonstrated interest in the alcohol field as evidenced by prior coursework, research, and/or clinical experience
2) a record of research productivity as evidenced by research presentations and peer-reviewed publications
(3) a commitment to a career in alcohol research as an independent investigator.
We are particularly interested in fellows who have experience or interest in intensive longitudinal data methods such as ecological momentary assessment and/or ambulatory assessment as well as fellows with an interest in biological mechanisms and/or correlates (e.g., genetic/epigenetic risk, hormone and immune function, physiology, etc.). All fellows must be a United States citizen or a noncitizen national of the United States or have been lawfully admitted for permanent residence at the time of appointment. Individuals who have been lawfully admitted for permanent residence must have a currently valid Permanent Resident Card (USCIS Form I-551) or other legal verification of such status.
As part of the training program, fellows must be engaged in full-time research training, participate in a weekly Addictions seminar, define a training plan and achieve specific competencies during each year, and limit outside employment. For continued support post-doctoral fellows will be expected to prepare and successfully submit an NIH grant application.
The training program provides a NIH-defined stipend (based on years since doctoral degree), reimbursement for health insurance and tuition remission, support for professional travel, and support for training- and research-related expenses. Child care costs are also available.
Interested applicants should submit a curriculum vitae and a 1-2 page cover letter that addresses their qualifications for and interest in the training program to Katie Witkiewitz, Ph.D., katiew@unm.edu.
Positions are available immediately although the latest start date of August 1 2026 will be considered.
Applications received by November 15, 2025 will be given best consideration.
See https://casaa.unm.edu/training/institutional-research-training-grant/index.html for information about the training program.