Join Our Team

The Trauma and Stress Studies Center Team

Our team at the Trauma and Stress Studies Center (TaSSC) is the foundation for what we do and how we do it. We value kindness, empathy, communication, and collaboration. We devote exceptional time and energy to cultivating a genuinely supportive atmosphere where all team members work together toward the shared goal of fulfilling our mission to improve the health and wellness of individuals affected by trauma. We integrate our research program with education and training in clinical science focused on traumatic stress and related conditions. We are committed to developing an inclusive, welcoming environment where ideas can be shared freely in a safe environment. We welcome team members at different stages of professional development, team members with various cultural and lived experiences, and team members with transdisciplinary career ambitions. 

The Bryan-College Station area celebrates all the Aggie traditions and offers a low cost of living, many opportunities to connect with nature (e.g., parks, trails), and relative proximity to major cities, including Houston, Austin, and Dallas.

Postdoctoral Research Associates

*******CURRENTLY RECRUITING********

The Trauma and Stress Studies Center in the Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences at Texas A&M University is seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral associate interested in clinical research focused on posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and related conditions. The postdoctoral fellow will receive specialized clinical training in implementing trauma-focused, integrated psychotherapies for adults with PTSD and co-occurring substance use disorders (SUD). The fellow will work on an ongoing NIH-funded clinical trial examining integrative manualized treatment using cognitive processing therapy (CPT) to treat PTSD and cognitive behavioral therapy to treat SUD. This project also offers additional points of advanced multidisciplinary training, including work with first responders and ecological momentary assessment (EMA) methodologies. Any assessment and treatment provided will be in the context of IRB-approved research protocols.

The fellowship includes mentored research training and opportunities for manuscript and grant writing, data analysis, conference presentations, and ongoing seminars and workshops to advance early-career investigators’ research and professional skills. The fellow will work closely with Dr. Anka Vujanovic and a multidisciplinary team to investigate a range of clinical research questions related to co-occurring SUD/PTSD.

Responsibilities will include, but are not limited to, providing manualized psychotherapy to patients with co-occurring SUD/PTSD, providing supervision of doctoral students and staff, assisting with various aspects of data collection, preparing scientific reports, and engaging in preparation of manuscripts, conference presentations, and grant proposals.

 A competitive salary and benefits will be provided commensurate with NIH guidelines. The fellowship is for one year initially, with the possibility of extension. This position will take place in person at Texas A&M University.

We currently have one position open at this time: Apply here

 For any further questions, please contact our coordinator, Fiorela Ruiz, at fiorelaruiz@tamu.edu! 

Graduate Students

*******NOT CURRENTLY RECRUITING DOCTORAL STUDENTS IN CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY********

Graduate students interested in gaining clinical research training in traumatic stress and related conditions are invited to apply via the submission of an application to the APA-accredited clinical psychology doctoral program in the Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences at Texas A&M University. Competitive applicants will have strong academic backgrounds, solid writing skills, undergraduate and/or post-baccalaureate research experience — preferably with PTSD or related conditions — and a genuine interest in developing as clinical scientists.

“What do you look for in a graduate student?” The application and admissions process for clinical psychology doctoral programs is competitive. Graduate student success is directly correlated with “degree of fit”, both professionally and interpersonally, with the primary advisor and research team. Successful TaSSC graduate students demonstrate excellent interpersonal and communication skills, a strong work ethic, collaborative working styles, psychological and pragmatic flexibility, and high ethical standards. Prospective students who demonstrate these qualities are prioritized during the TaSSC admissions process.

"I am committed to working closely with each graduate student and to supporting all areas of each student’s professional development. I take my mentorship responsibilities very seriously and enjoy working with students throughout their training trajectories. I rely on students to communicate with me directly and regularly about all issues that may arise. My graduate students can expect that I am regularly and continuously available, committed to listening, open to discussing matters large and small, and dedicated to fostering a supportive and collaborative environment." - Dr. Anka Vujanovic 

Graduate students will receive intensive training in the clinical science of PTSD and related conditions. Our training environment is especially well-tailored to students interested in pursuing academic and/or clinical research careers. Education, experiential learning, and skillful practice relevant to the phenomenology, assessment, and treatment of PTSD and related conditions are emphasized within the context of clinical research development.

Due to the high number of applications received each year, Dr. Vujanovic may not be able to respond to all prospective applicant queries directly. The information on this website is intended to answer most general questions.

Research Assistant 

*******CURRENTLY RECRUITING********

The Trauma and Stress Studies Center in the Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences at Texas A&M University is seeking a highly motivated research assistant interested in clinical research focused on posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and related conditions.  

This role offers a unique opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the lab’s success through participant recruitment, data collection and management, and support of ongoing research initiatives. The ideal candidate will bring a strong foundation in research and lab operations, helping ensure efficient day‑to‑day functioning while actively contributing to high‑impact research outcomes. This position is well suited for individuals seeking comprehensive, hands‑on experience in a collaborative and dynamic research environment.

The research assistant will assist the project coordinator (and other study team members) with data collection and management for several studies related to traumatic stress, substance use, and suicide. Under the supervision of Dr. Vujanovic and the project coordinator, the research assistant will conduct participant screening interviews, assist with participant recruitment, develop and implement data management processes for the ongoing lab projects, participate in research meetings, assist with participant research sessions as applicable, and complete other lab-related duties. This position offers numerous opportunities for professional development, including manuscript preparation, conference presentations, and participation in multidisciplinary training sessions.

Compensation will be commensurate with the selected candidate's education and experience. This position would be, at least, a two-year commitment. This position is grant-funded; future employment may be contingent upon future funding. This position will take place in person at Texas A&M University.

We currently have one position open at this time: Apply here

For any further questions, please contact our coordinator, Fiorela Ruiz, at fiorelaruiz@tamu.edu! 

Research Assistant - PATH Study

*******NOT CURRENTLY RECRUITING********

The Trauma and Stress Studies Center in the Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences at Texas A&M University is seeking a highly motivated research assistant interested in clinical research focused on posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and related conditions. 

The research assistant will assist the project coordinator (and other study team members) with data collection and management for several studies related to traumatic stress, substance use, and suicide. Under the supervision of Dr. Vujanovic and the project coordinator, the research assistant will conduct participant screening interviews, assist with participant recruitment, develop and implement data management processes for the ongoing lab projects, participate in research meetings, assist with participant research sessions as applicable, and complete other lab-related duties. This role is central to ensuring high-quality implementation of study procedures, effective team collaboration, and successful research outcomes. This position offers numerous opportunities for professional development, including manuscript preparation, conference presentations, participation in multidisciplinary training sessions, and collaboration with leading experts in PTSD and substance use research.

Under the supervision of Dr. Vujanovic and the project coordinator, the research assistant will conduct participant screening interviews, assist with participant recruitment, develop and implement data management processes for the ongoing lab projects, participate in research meetings, assist with participant research sessions as applicable, and complete other lab-related duties.

Compensation will be commensurate with the selected candidate's education and experience. This position would be, at least, a two-year commitment. This position is grant-funded; future employment may be contingent upon future funding. This position will take place in person at Texas A&M University.

For any further questions, please contact our coordinator, Fiorela Ruiz, at fiorelaruiz@tamu.edu! 

Research Assistant - First Responders Study

*******NOT CURRENTLY RECRUITING********

The Trauma and Stress Studies Center (TaSSC) is passionate about and committed to improving the behavioral health and well-being of first responders, including but not limited to firefighters and law enforcement, through multi-disciplinary, collaborative team science, stakeholder partnerships, community engagement, and consultation. Interested applicants with backgrounds in first responder work (outside of academic research) are encouraged to apply. 

The Research Assistant will lead outreach, coordination, training, and data collection efforts for an NIH-funded, multi-site clinical trial evaluating a resilience training program for first responders. This position involves direct engagement with fire departments and agencies across the state, delivering assessments and training modules in operational environments. The role contributes to high-impact field research aimed at improving mental health and wellness outcomes for firefighters, offering hands-on experience in field-based research, training delivery, data management, and cross-agency collaboration, as well as exposure to multi-site clinical trial operations.

Compensation will be commensurate based on the selected candidate's education and experience. This position is grant-funded; future employment may be contingent upon future funding. 

For any further questions, please contact our coordinator, Fiorela Ruiz, at fiorelaruiz@tamu.edu! 

Undergraduate Students

*******NOT CURRENTLY RECRUITING********

Undergraduate students with interest in traumatic stress are invited to join the TaSSC and earn course credit. Students will come aboard as student research assistants with opportunities to learn more about clinical science, generally, and to develop skills relevant to clinical and research methodologies for populations exposed to traumatic events or suffering from PTSD and related conditions, specifically. Students may be involved with various aspects of the research process: telephone screening and scheduling of research participants, recruitment and informed consent procedures, observing or conducting clinical interviews or laboratory tasks, entering or coding physiological or clinical trial data, and attending TaSSC research meetings. Students are also welcome to be involved with study preparation and set-up, literature searches, conference presentations, and writing projects.

We require a one-year commitment and the dedication of at least 9-hours per week to TaSSC activities.

We are currently not accepting applications for the Fall 2025 semester. Kindly reach out to tassc@tamu.edu for any inquiries.