2026-2027 Postdoctoral Fellowships in Children’s Behavioral Health
Child Health and Development Institute (CHDI) with possible UCONN Health or Yale Child Study Center Research Option
Full Time with Benefits
Start Date: July/August 2026 (negotiable)

 Summary
The Child Health and Development Institute (CHDI), an independent non-profit intermediary organization, is accepting applications for up to two one-year Postdoctoral Fellowship in children’s behavioral health.
The Fellow (or Fellows) will work on one or more initiatives focused on improving children’s behavioral health in Connecticut, with an emphasis on working at the systems, policy, and practice levels. Potential areas of focus include the areas of dissemination and sustainment of evidence-based treatments (EBTs) and implementation science, quality improvement of children’s behavioral health services, policy and system innovation, developing trauma-informed systems and programs, and/or school-based behavioral health. There is a possible optional opportunity for the Fellow to spend one day per week working with faculty at the UCONN Health Center or Yale Child Study on a research study. The Fellow will have experience and a strong interest in bridging the research to practice gap for children’s behavioral health, including in one or more of the following areas: (1) effective dissemination of EBTs for children, (2) child traumatic stress and trauma-informed care, (3) implementation science and/or quality improvement, (4) system development and policy, and/or (5) school-based behavioral health. While not required, applicants who have experience with any of the following are encouraged to apply: artificial intelligence applications in behavioral health, digital interventions, single session/brief interventions.

Child Health and Development Institute of Connecticut (CHDI)
CHDI is an independent non-profit intermediary organization located in Farmington, CT. Working in partnership with state and regional agencies, providers, schools, family advocates, universities, and other organizations, we strive to advance sustainable improvements in behavioral health systems, practices, and policy for all children. Our work includes quality improvement, data analysis and research, evaluation, policy analysis, consultation, training, and technical assistance. CHDI has been recognized by the Hartford Business Journal as one of the best places to work in Connecticut for several years in a row.

CHDI functions as an intermediary organization to develop, train, disseminate, evaluate, and expand effective models of practice in children’s mental health, juvenile justice, education, and other systems. We partner closely in those efforts with the Department of Children and Families, the State Department of Education, the CT Judicial Branch’s Court Support Services Division, The University of Connecticut-

Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, family advocacy organizations, community- based providers, and others. CHDI does not provide direct clinical services.

CHDI has led several EBT dissemination efforts for children’s behavioral health across Connecticut, including Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Modular Approach to Therapy for Children with Anxiety, Depression, Trauma, or Conduct Problems (MATCH-ADTC), Cognitive Behavioral Intervention for Trauma in Schools (CBITS), and Attachment, Regulation, and Competency (ARC). CHDI has used the Institute for Healthcare Improvement’s Breakthrough Series Collaborative (or Learning Collaborative) methodology as one approach for disseminating EBTs, and has also developed a model for sustainment and ongoing quality improvement of EBTs. CHDI is also a recipient of several federal grants focused on substance use services for young people.

Finally, CHDI is the Coordinating Center for the School Based Diversion Initiative (SBDI), a state-funded program to reduce school-based arrests, out of school suspensions, and expulsions, and has a number of projects focused on comprehensive school mental health. The Fellow will work on one or more of these or related initiatives for improving children’s behavioral health. Potential applicants are encouraged to learn more about current initiatives and CHDI at www.chdi.org.

Fellowship
The Fellow’s specific projects and responsibilities will be jointly determined based on interests, experience, project needs, and funding. Fellows will apply their research skills to help solve real-world challenges and problems in children’s behavioral health systems and services. Fellows have ample opportunities to identify and carry out projects in their areas of interest. Examples of activities include developing and/or testing best practice EBT implementation and/or consultation strategies, developing a best practice model or guidelines, analysis of service categories or programs, quality improvement approaches, trauma screening, applications of artificial intelligence, virtual training, data analysis/reporting, policy review, and program evaluation. An emphasis will be placed on identifying and carrying out data analyses and/or reviews of evidence and best practices to contribute to CHDI’s continuous quality improvement of services for children and families, and for co-authored CHDI and/or peer-reviewed publications and presentations using administrative data. Fellows will receive weekly supervision at CHDI, typically from a licensed clinical psychologist.

Contingent on funding and Fellow interests, Fellows may have the option to spend one day per week under the mentorship of UCONN Health or Yale Child Study Center faculty on research studies. The Fellow would join an existing research or evaluation team on a project aligned with their interests. More information about whether this is an option and which research projects will be provided for applicants invited to interview.

Applicants
The individual selected for this position will work within grant- and contract-funded projects at CHDI. Applicants must have completed a Ph.D. in Clinical, Community, or Counseling Psychology; Social Work; or a related discipline from an accredited academic program. Excellent professional writing and data analysis skills are required; candidates with at least one first authored publication in a peer-reviewed journal are preferred. Experience with any of the following is highly desired: child traumatic stress, artificial intelligence, EBTs, advanced statistical analysis, school mental health, quality improvement, system development and policy, single session/brief interventions, and/or implementation science. CHDI provides a unique opportunity to receive training in the role of an intermediary organization to integrate research and stakeholder perspectives to improve children’s behavioral health systems, policy, and practice. Past Fellows have gone on to a range of positions, including tenure-track faculty jobs, academic positions with clinical and research responsibilities, full-time positions at CHDI, mental health startups, and leadership roles in community mental health.

Compensation
The Fellow will receive a stipend of $70,000 annually (full time). A generous benefit package including health and dental care, paid time off, and a 403b retirement plan with company contribution is provided. CHDI has a partial remote work option, which allows up to four days per week of remote work (at least one day per week is required in the office).

Applications
Applications will be considered on a rolling basis, with priority given to applications received by January 5, 2026. To apply, please email (1) a detailed letter of interest describing qualifications, experience, and especially detail your interest in CHDI’s work, your preferences for specialization areas at CHDI, and how the Fellowship will contribute to your career goals. Indicate whether you have current legal authorization to work in the United States for the duration of the Fellowship, which is required; (2) curriculum vitae; (3) one example of scholarly writing (preferably a published first author article); and (4) two letters of recommendation from current/past supervisors to Jason Lang, Ph.D. (jlang@chdi.org). Questions about CHDI or the fellowship are welcome and can also be directed to Jason Lang, Ph.D. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis. The Fellowship is contingent upon continued funding.

CHDI’s core values of anti-racism, respect, accountability, collaboration, and equitable action have been intentionally and collaboratively designed to reflect the culture we strive to embody and the ways that we approach our work. We aspire to uphold these values to function as change agents who transform our organization, as well as the systems, practices, and policies that promote and support the behavioral health and well-being of children.

CHDI is an equal opportunity employer. It’s our policy to provide equal opportunity to qualified individuals, at all levels of employment, regardless of race, color, religious creed, age, sex, gender identity or expression, marital or civil union status, national origin, ancestry, present or past history of mental disability, intellectual disability, learning disability, physical disability, including, but not limited to, blindness, military service, veteran status, pregnancy, genetic information, or sexual orientation. This commitment to equal opportunity applies to decisions related to all aspects of employment.

In 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025, CHDI was named to the list of Best Places to Work by the Hartford Business Journal. We are currently operating in a flexible, hybrid work environment with the expectation that employees work from our Farmington, CT office at least one day per week. Therefore, candidates should reside within commutable distance of Farmington.

Please note: CHDI requires applicants to have current legal authorization to work in the United States and is unable to sponsor applicants for work visas. The successful candidate's employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment criminal background check.