Post-Doctoral Training Program in Behavioral Geriatrics

This 2-year Postdoctoral Training Program in Behavioral Geriatrics, sponsored by the National Institute on Aging (NIA), develops independent investigators capable of conducting research to improve the quality of life and quality of care of older adults. The Program is Co-led by Cary Reid, MD, PhD, Director of the Translational Research Institute on Pain in Later Life and Sara J. Czaja, PhD, Director for the Center on Aging and Behavioral Research. Associate Directors are Catherine Riffin, PhD, Associate Professor of Psychology in Medicine, and Walter Boot, PhD, Professor of Psychology in Medicine. Assistant Director is Daniel Shalev, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine. Program faculty are drawn from clinical researchers and social scientists from Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University (Ithaca), and Cornell Tech. Applications are accepted from both MD and PhD postdoctoral trainees seeking careers at the intersection of biomedical and innovative social/behavioral approaches to improve care and care outcomes in older adults.

Eligibility. Applicants must be an MD and/or PhD recent graduate or anticipate having their degree by program start in a relevant field. Applicants must be a U.S. Citizen or permanent resident of the U.S. 

Behavioral Geriatrics Description. Behavioral Geriatrics is a scientific discipline that explicitly integrates social/behavioral approaches with biomedical approaches to study clinically significant and pressing issues of aging (e.g., pain, cognitive impairment, polypharmacy, caregiving, end-of-life medical decision-making, bereavement). Our emphasis on Behavioral Geriatrics allows us to recruit doctoral-level trainees from diverse disciplines and specialties (e.g., psychology, palliative care and geriatrics, public health, oncology, neurology, nursing, social work) and pair these individuals with an equally diverse set of accomplished mentors, to pursue pressing problems confronting older adults. The Behavioral Geriatrics Didactic Core covers topics including clinical and psychosocial epidemiology, grant preparation, scientific rigor and reproducibility, technology-based intervention and assessment, health services research, and trial design as related to the study of older adults. Our training program is distinctive in providing: 1) trainees with co-mentorship from an MD and PhD researcher; 2) extensive training in how to leverage emerging technologies into fellows’ research projects; and 3) regular feedback to ensure fellows meet their training goals. We encourage active involvement in the funded research projects of affiliated faculty to gain additional research experience. 

Mentorship. Co-Mentored research in Year 1, culminating in a Year 2 research project for which the Trainee serves as PI under Co-Mentor supervision. Active areas of research include but is not limited to: pain management; palliative & end of life care; family dynamics & caregiving; elder abuse; social isolation; technology-based interventions; and behavioral intervention development & testing. For a complete mentor list with areas of interest, contact us at T32Geriatrics@med.cornell.edu. Trainees will be integrated into a large, ‘research-ready’ network of New York City organizations serving ethnically diverse older adults. We foster multiple opportunities for trainees to network with mentors and others within our aging networks. Our Core Curriculum combines didactic training with interactive workshops to equip trainees with the skills necessary to develop high-quality research proposals and studies that address clinically significant issues in the field of aging. In addition to intensive training in grantsmanship and scientific writing, trainees enjoy an array of enrichment opportunities dedicated to enhancing their professional development and providing exposure to novel methods and innovations in Behavioral Geriatrics research. 

How to Apply. Please email T32Geriatrics@med.cornell.edu with the following: 1. Curriculum Vitae 2. Cover letter 3. Letter of Recommendation (optional) Deadline. Applications are currently being accepted for the 2027-2028 cohort that would start September 2027. Candidates will be selected on a rolling basis. Due to high demand, individuals are encouraged to apply no later than December 2026.