Job/Volunteer Opportunities at PATSS

Postdoctoral Fellowship 

Program for Anxiety and Traumatic Stress Studies (PATSS) at Weill Cornell Medicine 

2025-2026 

Supervisor: JoAnn Difede, Ph.D 

About PATSS:

The Program for Anxiety and Traumatic Stress Studies (PATSS) is a specialized clinical research program within the Department of Psychiatry at Weill Cornell Medicine (WCM) that focuses on trauma and its sequelae, including Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), anxiety disorders, depression, and other comorbidities for populations such as healthcare workers (HCWs), military sexual trauma survivors, active-duty service members, veterans and their family members, and other trauma populations, including burn and World Trade Center survivors. PATSS offers a state-of-the-art approach to patient care that brings innovation to tried-and-true therapeutic techniques. PATSS has pioneered the use of Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy (VRET) in the treatment of a number of anxiety and stress-related disorders, including fear of flying, fear of storms, fear of heights, fear of bridges, fear of public speaking, and World Trade Center-induced or combat-related PTSD. 

Currently, PATSS is conducting several studies including a non-inferiority randomized controlled trial funded by the Department of Defense (DoD) comparing interpersonal therapy to exposure therapy for PTSD consequent to MST in male and female military personnel and veterans. In addition, PATSS is conducting NIH and WCM internally funded pilot studies which aim to demonstrate the feasibility and the tolerability of new virtual reality (VR) interventions, including one which focuses on treating HCWs who develop PTSD resulting from their experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic and another which investigates using social VR for pain management in burn and trauma patients in older adults. Additionally, PATSS is conducting a brief two-phased intervention which targets treating general psychological distress, PTSD, and other co-morbidities in HCWs consequent to the COVID-19 pandemic. This is a fully remote study using novel medical music and narrative writing interventions in Phase I, and IPT or PE treatments in Phase II for those who meet criteria for PTSD. The study aims to implement a scalable, stepped two-phase intervention program for traumatic stress in healthcare workers who have cared for COVID-19 patients. 

Programming/Responsibilities: 

Postdocs will be provided training in state-of-the art-clinical assessment and treatment of trauma-related diagnoses for a variety of populations. Responsibilities include conducting assessments, providing evidence-based treatments, serving as project coordinator, aiding in recruitment, and other clinical and administrative roles. 

The individual will be an integral member of a vibrant trauma program. 

Postdocs will attend the following training opportunities: 

• 1 hour of weekly face-to-face supervision meeting
• Weekly meetings with the clinical team for dispositional case review
• Weekly group supervision of clinical assessments
• Weekly case conference and professional development seminar
• Training in the context of clinical research studies which may include populations such as healthcare workers or military personnel and veterans, and a general mental health clinic for the military community (i.e., WCM/NYP-MFWC). This will include:

Diversity is one of Weill Cornell Medicine’s core values and is essential to achieving excellence in patient care, research, and education. We welcome applications from candidates who share our commitment to fostering a culture of fairness, equity, and belonging. Weill Cornell Medicine is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, color, age, religion, protected veteran or disability status, or genetic information. 

Applicants should have the following qualifications: 

• Doctorate from an APA-accredited doctoral program
• Completion of an APA-accredited internship
• Eligible for a New York State (NYS) limited permit or have a NYS psychology license
• Demonstrated interest in trauma. Interest in CBT, PTSD, and trauma treatment is preferred, as is a strong background in clinical research (scientist-practitioner). 

Salary/Stipend:   

• Minimum stipend:  $61,008
• Maximum stipend: $61,008

Weill Cornell Medicine provides the above salary range in compliance with the New York City law on Salary Transparency in Job Advertisements. The salary range listed is for full‐time employment not including bonuses, clinical incentive compensation, or benefits. Actual salaries depend on a variety of factors including but not limited to internal equity, specialty, training, and hospital/community needs. The above salary range for New York City based roles represents WCM’s good faith and reasonable estimate of possible compensation at the time of posting.  

Eligible candidates should: 

Apply by emailing the following materials to Research Coordinator, Olivia Baryluk: olb4002@med.cornell.edu 

o Cover letter 

o CV (with references) 

o Two letters of recommendation

Applications will be considered for the 2025-2026 academic cycle. 

JoAnn Difede, PhD

Director, Program for Anxiety and Traumatic Stress Studies, Weill Cornell Medicine 

525 East 68th Street, Box 200 

New York, NY 10065