The Portland Institute for Psychedelic Science and Portland Psychotherapy Clinic, Research, & Training Center are offering a two-year research fellowship in clinical psychedelic science to begin in September of 2026. This position will also involve working on multiple research projects in this area of science and the chance to develop an independent project in psychedelic science. The postdoc experience is flexible and depends upon their career goals in combination with the opportunities available at the institute.
We offer a supportive and cooperative workspace and mentoring. This opportunity opens doors to work with top-tier professionals in the field and to contribute to pioneering research in psychedelic science. As a key player on our team, you will actively participate in developing psychedelic therapy procedures and delve into evaluating their safety, effectiveness, and potential healing mechanisms as well as studying psychedelics more broadly.
Portland Psychotherapy also offers clinically-focused postdoctoral fellowships described here.
Example ongoing topics of investigation the postdoc could be involved in:
- We are planning our second clinical trial of MDMA-Assisted Therapy for Social Anxiety Disorder and the postdoc will help write papers emerging from the first trial. The postdoc will have a chance to help us on this second trial during their tenure.
- We are about to start a trial of Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy for chronic pelvic pain, which may or may not be still ongoing when the postdoc starts.
- The postdoc can collaborate on projects with the Open Psychedelic Evaluation Nexus, a practice-based research network housed out of the Oregon Health & Sciences University that organizes data collection to evaluate psilocybin services in Oregon and Colorado. Dr. Luoma is a co-founder of that network.
Examples of other recent topics of study we have been involved in include:
- Difficulties with Psychedelic Integration
- Longitudinal outcomes from psilocybin retreats
- Touch in Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy
- Informed Consent to PAT
- A survey of the Oregon psilocybin facilitator workforce
- Longitudinal outcomes from psilocybin therapist training retreats and retreats for cancer survivors
- Daily survey study of maintenance factors for social anxiety disorder
About our philosophy and lab
Our lab utilizes contextual behavioral science and affective science to find new and more effective ways of alleviating psychological suffering and helping people live richer and fuller lives. To do this, we conduct both basic and applied research with the aim of helping the scientific community better describe, predict, and influence behavior with precision, scope, and depth. We also aim to create an environment that nurtures the personal and professional development of behavioral scientists.
Our lab is committed to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion within our team and in our research so that our work reflects and serves the broadest spectrum of individuals and communities.
We utilize and support open science principles so that our work, along with that of our colleagues and the broader scientific community, can yield maximal benefit to the public and influence science to be more inclusive, equitable, and accountable. We believe science should be an altruistic act, where scientists give away their findings to the public.
In the psychedelic space, we focus on supporting the role of science in the development of psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) and in particular, the integration of evidence-based practices into the practice of PAT. Our studies tend to focus strongly on understanding the psychological processes of change underlying how psychedelics work.
The candidate’s work will include:
- Analyzing data and writing papers related to psychological and behavioral processes of change in MDMA-AT and other psychedelics.
- Supporting other ongoing clinical trials through roles as study therapist, assessor, or project manager.
- Using and learning statistical software to support analysis alongside statistical consultants
- Traveling to national and international conferences to present on our findings and learn. Funding provided.
- Project management in support of ongoing projects
- Training in psychedelic-assisted therapy
- Assisting in grant applications
- The development of an independent project in psychedelic science
Team
The current research team consists of the scientists listed below, a research coordinator, and a research-focused postdoc. We also employee various study therapists, assessors, physicians, and other support staff as needed for our clinical trials.
Postdocs attend weekly team meetings as well as weekly individual meetings with a research mentor. Research staff are typically part of multiple projects teams that work collaboratively together to complete projects.
Jason Luoma, Ph.D. is CEO and senior scientist at Portland Psychotherapy in Portland, OR and the Portland Institute for Psychedelic Science. His research focuses on shame, self-stigma, connection, self-transcendence, and the application of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and psychedelic assisted therapy. He has just completed being principal investigator on a clinical of MDMA-assisted therapy for social anxiety disorder that was one of the first trials of a psychedelic in the Pacific Northwest. He is a co-investigator on ongoing trials of other classic psychedelics and is part of the treatment development of ACT-informed PAT for other clinical trials. He is an internationally recognized trainer in ACT, former chair of the ACT training committee, and past president of the Association for Contextual Behavioral Science. He has over 80 publications including co-authoring two books: Learning Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Values in Therapy: A Clinician’s Guide to Helping Clients Explore Values, Increase Psychological Flexibility, and Live a More Meaningful Life. His work on shame and compassion can be read at www.actwithcompassion.com.
Brian Pilecki, Ph.D.is a licensed psychologist and associate scientist who specializes in the treatment of anxiety disorders (OCD, generalized anxiety, social anxiety, panic disorder), trauma and PTSD, and matters related to the use of psychedelics. He completed a post-doctoral fellowship at The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University and is a licensed psilocybin facilitator. He practices from an orientation based in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and also has extensive experience in the areas of mindfulness and meditation. He is an active researcher and has published on topics such as anxiety disorders, mindfulness, psychedelics, and the relationship between theory and practice in psychotherapy and is co-author of the book ACT-Informed Exposure for Anxiety: Creating Effective, Innovative, and Values-Based Exposures Using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and is currently writing a book for professionals on psychedelic-assisted therapy.
Qualifications
The ideal candidates will have:
- Doctorate or equivalent degree within the last two years in clinical or counseling psychology, behavior change, clinical science, social psychology or related field
- A track record of peer-reviewed publication
- Strong writing skills
- Data analytic skills
- Excellent Interpersonal and communication skills
- A kind disposition
Desirable qualifications include:
- Experience working with blood-based biomarker and physiological data
- Coding skills (primarily in R or comparable)
- Experience writing NIH grants
Purpose of the Fellowship
The goal of the fellowship is to support people who are interested in a career in psychedelic science to help them transition to academic positions or soft money funded projects in academic medical centers or industry.
Clinical opportunities
The postdoctoral fellow typically spends between 25-35% of their time providing clinical services under supervision. They will receive training in providing psychedelic consultation and integration and may have the opportunity to be a therapist on a clinical trial involving a psychedelic. They will receive at least one hour/week of clinical supervision toward licensure over the two-year period, which should result in licensure in Oregon and which may also be adequate for licensure in other states. The postdoc could also have the opportunity to supervise practicum students.
There are many didactic opportunities built into the Fellowship. We run a weekly didactic series for trainees and new staff focused on honing therapeutic skills within different modalities (e.g., ACT, EFT) with an emphasis on deliberate practice. Portland Psychotherapy runs a monthly didactic series focused on diversity, equity, cultural competency, and antiracism for all staff. You can read more here about our activities and commitment to foster diversity, equity, anti-racism, and inclusion in our staff and local community. In addition to these ongoing trainings, fellows can attend any of the other training events that Portland Psychotherapy hosts every year, led by leading experts in ACT, psychedelic assisted therapy, diversity/equity/inclusion, and many other topics free of charge.
Minimum requirements: Doctorate or equivalent degree within the last two years in clinical or counseling psychology, behavior change, clinical science, social psychology or related field. This is a full-time position (i.e., 40 hours per week). Portland Psychotherapy strives to provide its staff with a high level of flexibility and autonomy and supports its employees in developing a sustainable work-life balance. The schedule is reasonably flexible and involves a hybrid (i.e., on site plus remote) work schedule.
Portland Psychotherapy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an affirming and inclusive environment for all employees. Persons from historically disadvantaged populations including gender, sexual, and racial minorities are encouraged to apply.
Salary for the fellow is $66,700 in year one with an increase in year two. Depending upon interest and funding, it may be possible for a fellow to stay for a third year.
Benefits
- Medical, Dental, and Vision plans
- Pre-tax commuter benefits
- Employee retirement plan with 3% match
- Life and long-term disability insurance
- Malpractice insurance
- Stipend for professional education
- Supervision toward licensure
- Dedicated stipend for training related to anti-racist practice, diversity, equity and inclusion
- Free attendance of any of our many workshops and classes we offer through our continuing education and internal training programs
- Ability to bring your well-behaved animal companion to work
Deadline for applications: January 3rd, 2025. If you are interested in applying, email your curriculum vitae and a cover letter to: [email protected]. Also, have three letters of reference that are emailed directly by the writers to the email address above.
More about the site:
Portland Psychotherapy Clinic, Research, & Training Center has a growing body of clinical research studies, basic research studies, and clinical services related to psychedelic and psychedelic science. Our research is funded primarily through profits from the evidence-based mental health services we provide to our community and the training services we provide to other professionals. Our recent clinical trial on MDMA-AT was funded solely through our internal revenue stream, which will be turned toward other projects once the current project ends. We have been supporting postdoctoral fellows for 17 years.
The Portland Institute for Psychedelic Science (PIPS) was formed in 2024 to pull together all of our work on psychedelics under one integrated umbrella. At PIPS, we take a comprehensive and integrative approach to psychedelic science. Our work encompasses three key areas: research, clinical services, and professional training. This unique model allows us to rapidly translate research findings into practical therapeutic techniques, ensuring that our services are always at the cutting edge of the field. We believe that this synergy fosters a rich learning environment for professionals and sets a high standard for treatment efficacy.
Our team is multicultural, antiracist, and LGBTQIA2S+ affirming. We have a specialty in serving the LGBTQIA2S+ community and the majority of our clients belong to that community. Our diversity includes staff who identify as Asian, Latinx, mixed-race, LGBTQ, first generation immigrants, first generation college students, and others. We are particularly interested in expanding the diversity of our staff to further our antiracism and social justice goals.
Portland Psychotherapy is based on a social enterprise model that attempts to contribute to the social good in four areas:
- Our local community– through providing clinical services (including a reduced fee), psychotherapy training and workshops, supervision of trainees, and support for local therapists
- The wider community– through contributing to scientific research and scholarship, dissemination of innovations, and participation in national and international organizations
- Employees– providing an excellent place to work with high quality of life for employees
- The natural environment– through managing our environmental footprint in sustainable ways that minimize our negative impact on the planet
All profits generated at Portland Psychotherapy are used to fund our local and wider community social good efforts. More information about our unique business model can be found here. A listing of our scientific publications can be found here.
Portland Psychotherapy has local, national, and international reputation as being a leading center for evidence-based therapy, especially acceptance and commitment therapy, psychedelic-assisted therapy, training, and research. Our center is housed in a beautifully restored 1889 Victorian home in the vibrant N. Williams corridor area of Portland which provides a warm and welcoming atmosphere for clients and staff alike. For more information about our building please see our website.