The Virginia Tech Autism Clinic & Center for Autism Research (VTAC/CAR) (https://www.vtcar.science.vt.edu/), within the Clinical Science program in the Department of Psychology, in partnership with Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE) (https://www.ext.vt.edu) and Commonwealth Autism (https://www.commonwealthautism.org/), is seeking up to two license-eligible, postdoctoral associates or early career psychologists (ECP) for a half clinical/half research position. This person will be based at the VCE Dickenson County, Virginia location and work in the catchment areas of Dickenson and Wise Counties to provide diagnostic autism assessments, offer trainings/consultations to area educators, and to conduct effectiveness research on rural capacity building of autism services. Mentorship will be provided by the director of the VT Autism Clinic & Center for Autism Research in Blacksburg, Va.

These fellowships will provide a unique experience by working on-site in far southwest Virginia with Cooperative Extension and school-based providers while also building confidence and gaining experience working with a long-established autism clinic and research facility, it’s graduate student clinicians, director and affiliated faculty.

VTAC/CAR’s mission is to improve the quality of life for individuals with autism and their families through intervention, education, and research directed towards effective treatments and supports. The clinic, situated in Central Appalachia, provides a rich environment for those interested in pursuing a career in clinical work and research and provides opportunities to work in Health Professional Shortage Areas. This opportunity can also include supervisory experiences needed for psychology licensure. Additional participation in research development, study design/implementation, and publication is also available, based on the fellow/ECP’s career goals and level of experience.

The ideal candidates for these positions will have a strong background in diagnostic assessments and evidence-based intervention approaches for individuals on the autism spectrum. The fellows/ECPs will ideally work from a VCE location in Dickenson County, VA, and attend meetings online/remotely, with paid travel to Blacksburg a few times each semester. This is open for discussion. They are expected to effectively collaborate with members of an interdisciplinary team, which will also include public school staff, children/adolescents and their families/caregivers.

The Virginia Tech Clinical Science program is dually accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA) and the Psychological Clinical Science Accreditation System (PCSAS) and received the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies’ (ABCT) Outstanding Training Program award in 2017.
The fellowship is for one or two years. The fellowship will be available July 1, 2023, although a later start date is possible.