Thank you for your interest in the Behavioral Pharmacology Research Unit (BPRU) postdoctoral position.  The postdoctoral program is outlined below. At the end of this description you will have the option to complete and submit an application.

What is the BPRU?

BPRU is an interdisciplinary research program established in 1975 within the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Located on the Johns Hopkins University Bayview Medical Campus, BPRU has a long history of conducting meaningful work in the area of alcohol and substance use disorders. BPRU currently has several topical hubs, including cannabis science (https://www.jhcannabissciencelab.com/), opioid research (www.MarylandOpioidResearch.com), tobacco regulatory science, and more.

BPRU has sixteen full-time faculty dedicated to the advancement of science related to alcohol and substance use disorders (AUD/SUDs). Research methodologies include Phase I, II, and III trials, behavioral economics, phenotype-genotype evaluations, cognitive testing and more. Research protocols often integrate novel technologies including driving simulators, wearable devices, or ecological momentary assessments to generate precise understanding of drug effects.   

Postdoctoral Training at the BPRU

Postdoctoral fellows are supported by a long-standing NIDA T32 training grant (PIs: Eric Strain, Elise Weerts) that can support up to 8 fellows per year. T32 grants are prestigious training programs funded by NIDA that provide postdoctoral fellows with a stipend for up to 3 years. Salary levels are competitive and established by the NIH. Support for travel to scientific meetings is also provided. Training opportunities at the BPRU are tailored to help postdoctoral fellows identify their preferred career path (e.g., academic, industry, government/regulatory) and often include experience conducting and managing Phase I, II, and/or III trials.

BPRU has a history of training fellows from interdisciplinary backgrounds. Fellows must have a terminal degree (Ph.D., MD) at the time they begin training. BPRU encourages applicants with backgrounds in preclinical science, cognitive neuroscience, brain imaging, social science, clinical pharmacology, social work, clinical psychology, and other disciplines to apply. Prior experience with human research or AUD/SUD is not required to apply or be considered. We welcome persons from all disciplines and with all levels of experience who are interested in helping us achieve our mission of understanding and treating SUDs and value creating an interdisciplinary team of trainees and scientists. The BPRU is particularly interested in candidates who can contribute to the diversity and excellence of our research program. Applications from persons with disabilities, protected veterans, and persons underrepresented in science are strongly encouraged.

BPRU's postdoctoral training program has been in existence for more than 40 years. Prior trainees are in positions of leadership throughout the SUD field and have gone into jobs in industry, regulation (FDA), NIH and more. If you'd like to learn more about our program, please feel free to contact our training Directors directly at BPRUpostdocprogram@jh.edu

How to Apply

BPRU welcomes applicants from all backgrounds and values diversity in race, ethnicity, age, gender, disability status, and scientific discipline. Admissions are made on a rolling basis as positions become available. Applicants may select a preference for an investigator or team or may chose to apply to the program as a whole.  Only US citizens may be supported. Thank you for your interest, formal applications are available below.  To apply, please prepare a PDF of your Letter of Interest that specifically notes your timeline to start, your citizenship status, and a PDF of your CV/resume.