PROJECT OVERVIEW 

CESAR (Center for Substance Use, Addiction & Health Research), led by Dr. Jessica Magidson, at the University of Maryland, College Park, is an interdisciplinary research center which specializes in conducting policy-relevant research and evaluation studies. CESAR is also known for disseminating statistical and other information to policy-makers, practitioners and others, as well as providing training and technical assistance to local and federal agencies and organizations working in related fields. CESAR has several treatment and recovery studies using peer-delivered interventions with the goal of improving medication adherence for addiction and HIV treatment, as well as facilitating treatment access through mobile telemedicine. There are also opportunities to support several new collaborative projects with UMB, including two NIH/NIDA-funded clinical trials to help improve outcomes for patients with polysubstance use in rural communities and patient adherence to antiretroviral therapies for HIV treatment.   

Dr. Magidson also directs GMAP (Global Mental Health and Addiction Program), a research lab in the Psychology Department at the University of Maryland College Park. GMAP is currently conducting several NIH-funded clinical trials to increase access to evidence-based addiction treatment in resource-limited clinical settings both domestically and internationally. Most of GMAP’s studies evaluate: (1) if and how behavioral treatments work to achieve health outcomes, and (2) if and how treatments that work can be feasibly implemented/executed in underserved communities. Our research focuses on underserved communities including those with low income, racial/ethnic minorities, and people living with HIV.  

 
ABOUT THE PROJECT 

The UM Scholar may participate in one or more of the 10 projects currently being conducted by both CESAR and GMAP to gain broad experience related to addiction research, including analyzing both quantitative and qualitative data from these combined research studies. The UM Scholar may assist in data collection, transcribing and coding qualitative interviews, data cleaning/checking/analysis, data management, background research/literature reviews, drafting reports, and other miscellaneous tasks. Training in qualitative and/or quantitative methods and relevant data analysis software (REDCap, NVivo, SPSS, Excel) will be provided. Students willing to travel to Baltimore​ City​ and/or Caroline County (Maryland) will have an opportunity to visit our research sites and shadow researchers. There may be opportunities for authorship of conference presentations and/or manuscripts depending on the nature of the student’s engagement during the research experience.   

More than one student will be considered for this project.  

IDEAL CANDIDATE 

This position would be ideal for an undergraduate or graduate student with an interest in addiction medicine, psychiatry, public health, social work and/or clinical psychology seeking to gain experience with clinical trials in both domestic and international settings. A detail-oriented student that is motivated to learn, has an interest in substance use research, and that is open to working with vulnerable populations is sought. Experience with qualitative data analysis and/or quantitative data management is preferred but not required. You must be actively enrolled in the Fall 2025 semester to be considered for this position.  

PROJECT LOCATION 

Hybrid: A combination of remote & in-person work​. 

PROJECT LEAD/PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR 

Jessica Magidson, PhD, Director, Center for Substance Use, Addiction & Health Research (CESAR) in the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences at the University of Maryland, College Park.   

Bio: https://psyc.umd.edu/facultyprofile/magidson/jessica  

Email: jmagidso@umd.edu  

For more information about CESAR: https://cesar.umd.edu/  

For more information about GMAP: https://www.gmhaddictionlab.org/

APPLY HERE

The deadline for Summer 2025 applications will be 11:59 pm on Sunday, February 23, 2025.