POST-DOCTORAL TRAINING/FELLOWSHIP OPPORTUNITY
CGNE Postdoctoral Fellowship Opportunity with the Tressa Nese and Helen Diskevich Center of Geriatric Nursing Excellence at Penn State’s Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing
Penn State’s Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing seeks applicants for the Tressa Nese and Helen Diskevich Center of Geriatric Nursing Excellence’s (CGNE) Postdoctoral Fellowship.
At CGNE, we believe every older adult deserves the highest quality of evidence-based care that respects individual goals and preferences. Our center is part of the Nese College of Nursing, one of the largest educators of pre-licensure students in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, with over 2,000 undergraduate and graduate students on 13 campuses. Together, we are positioned to lead the next generation of nurses and nurse scientists while enhancing the health of all people through quality care and education.
Preference will be given to applicants with research interests related to topics of aging and geriatrics including age-friendly care, care of persons living with dementia, well-being and efficacy of care partners, cognitive and physical functioning, delirium, stigma related to aging and dementia, workforce preparation and support, technological innovations, and person-centered care, as well as other gerontological topics aligned with the CGNE mission and research portfolios of faculty in the center.
Successful fellowship candidates will be paired with faculty mentors based on a shared area of focus and interest. Fellows will work directly on research projects of CGNE-affiliated faculty, pursue independent research activities in line with their developing program of research, and engage in professional development opportunities across Penn State. All fellows are funded for one year with the possibility of renewal for a second-year contingent on progress in achieving first-year goals and funding availability.
For more information about CGNE, please visit the center’s website where you will find information about our vision, mission, and faculty, as well as links to our annual report.
Penn State’s Nese College of Nursing is one of the largest educators of pre-licensure students in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, with over 2000 undergraduate and graduate students on 13 campuses. Our College is positioned to lead the next generation of nurses and nurse scientists while enhancing the health of all people through quality care and education.
Application Open Date: January 27, 2026
Applications will be reviewed and interviews completed on a rolling basis until the April deadline.
Application End Date: April 15, 2026
Expected Hire/Start Date: July I, 2026 preferred but negotiable.
Eligibility
- PhD prepared Nurses (or related field) within two years of degree completion preferred.
- Demonstrated commitment to scholarship in aging, geriatrics and/or gerontology.
- Applicant’s area of interest must be aligned with at least one faculty mentor in the center.
- Evidence of scholarly productivity including research-based publications and excellent dissemination skills (oral and written).
- Candidates for this position should demonstrate strong motivation to develop an independent research career/ portfolio.
- Fellowships open to eligible U.S. citizens and international applicants. Applicants who are not United States citizens/residents must be eligible for either H-1B or J-1 Visa and need to pursue this on their own behalf, in association with university resources if needed. Sponsorship is contingent upon federal requirements and associated costs.
- Applicants from groups underrepresented in the nursing profession are encouraged to apply.
Benefits
- Salary commensurate with background and experience.
- Health Insurance benefits: Will follow Penn State Policy.
- Provision of mentorship to develop independent scholarship and promote robust research career trajectory.
- Funding for conference registration and travel support and/or professional development opportunities.
- Opportunity to collaborate with nationally and internationally recognized faculty in aging.
- Working with funded researchers with access to data sets involving older adults across the care continuum.
- Ability to apply for CGNE project funding support.
Responsibilities
The postdoctoral fellow will:
- Co-create an Individual Development Plan (IDP) with their primary mentor to identify goals, needed training/course work, timeline, outcomes, and planned engagement with other centers/researchers.
- Refine career goals and grant development skills.
- Extend their research agenda through the writing and submission of early-stage career grant applications, manuscripts, and presentations.
- Participate in the primary mentor’s current research initiatives consistent with the IDP.
- Further develop teaching and mentoring skills.
- Expand research skills, including methodologic expertise.
- Contribute to the Nese College of Nursing and the CGNE within their area of expertise.
Please submit the following materials in a single PDF document:
Application Requirements:
Phase I: Applicants must begin process via Penn State recruitment site and include the following:
- Online application
- Cover Letter which includes prior research experience, area of focus, Penn State Nese CON faculty member to serve as potential primary mentor including alignment with their program of research; goals for postdoctoral training and career, highlights of current and interest in expanding or learning new research skills, potential contributions to research team, and how interests/work would align with CGNE and CON.
- Current CV with contact information
Phase II: After the interview with CGNE search committee, submit the following to Janice Whitaker jmw5969@psu.edu
- 1-2 page/s research statement including goals for program of research over the next 5 years.
- Copy of 1-2 published articles
- 3 Letters of recommendation. One of these letters must be from the identified primary mentor at Penn State and include justification for the proposed fellowship. At least one letter should be from a member of the applicant’s dissertation committee. Letters should be sent via email directly from the and should describe the applicant’s scholarly abilities, areas for growth and future potential.
Questions related to the postdoctoral fellowship opportunity should be directed to
Donna Marie Fick, PhD, RN, GCNS-BC, FGSA, FAAN
Elouise Ross Eberly Endowed Professor
Penn State Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing
Director, Tressa Nese and Helen Diskevich Center of Geriatric Nursing Excellence
dmf21@psu.edu
Questions related to logistics of application procedures should be emailed to
Janice Whitaker, M.Ed., B.S.N., RN, CDP
CGNE Administrator and Community Liaison
Tressa Nese and Helen Diskevich Center of Geriatric Nursing Excellence
Penn State Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing
jmw5969@psu.edu
Phase I application materials must be submitted via the careers page in Workday, the Penn State recruiting website. Candidates will be notified if they are selected for an interview with the search committee. After the interview, Phase II application requirements should be emailed to the CGNE Administrator (as below).
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