Research Fellow in Global Mental Health Implementation Science | Harvard University - Military Veterans

School: Harvard Medical School Department/Area: GHSM Mental Health for All Lab Position Description: The Mental Health for All Lab Research Program promotes the generation of knowledge and its effective utilization with the goal of contributing to the reduction of the global burden of suffering from mental health problems through novel approaches such as digital technology or task-sharing for scale-up of proven interventions. The research program is based in the Department of Global Health and Social Medicine at Harvard Medical School. The Research Projects: The Department of Global Health and Social Medicine seeks a postdoctoral fellow to support the scientific and research activities for multiple studies focused on leveraging innovative digital technologies for scaling up proven psychosocial interventions across different settings globally, including a specific emphasis on underserved settings in the United States. A key focus of these different research studies involves evaluating the implementation of mental health services in primary care settings and other community settings in the United States. For example, one project one project involves training non-specialists, including community health workers and lay persons, across underserved settings in Texas to build workforce capacity towards bridging the care gap for mental disorders. Another project, also based in Texas, seeks to develop a brief single-session intervention focused on assessing and addressing the psychological distress associated with traumatic events (such as natural disasters, climate change, interpersonal violence), adapted to the local context and designed for training community members and lay persons in vulnerable communities . These studies involve collaboration across Harvard Medical School and engaging project collaborators across multiple institutions in the United States. This postdoctoral fellowship involves considerable fieldwork, collaborating and liaising with project partners and funders. While based at Harvard Medical School in Boston, this position requires frequent travel and visits to research sites in Texas. The contributions to scientific knowledge include expanding the global mental health implementation science literature, promoting equitable access to effective mental health services in underserved communities of the United States, advancing task sharing efforts in low-resource settings with emphasis on improving functional outcomes for individuals living with severe mental illness, and assessing the costs of using digital tools to support integration of evidence-based psychosocial interventions in primary care and community-based settings. This position focuses heavily on developing skills in global mental health research, health equity, digital health, and implementation science so that the Fellow will be positioned to lead independent studies at the conclusion of this position. Responsibilities: Under the supervision of the Mental Health for All Lab Co-director, and in collaboration with the project sites in India, the fellow will assume mentored responsibility for: (1) acting as the lead scientific liaison for day-to-day oversight of research activities between Harvard Medical School and project sites in Texas, including conducting and leading data analyses across the study components, financial reporting, etc.; (2) supporting the design of data collection instruments, obtaining IRB approvals, analyzing associated data, writing manuscripts, and submitting these for peer reviewed publication; (3) working with the research teams at the project sites to support the implementation of study protocols and to monitor data collection and quality in the field; (4) supervising, orienting, and training project students and staff who contribute to these efforts. Ability to manage virtual meetings and frequent travel to the project sites in Texas is required; And, (5) supporting capacity building at the project sites through presenting work to local stakeholders and research collaborators, providing guidance and mentorship to research staff involved in different aspects of the research project, and engaging stakeholders at the study sites, surrounding communities, and globally in dissemination of the project findings. As noted earlier, the Postdoctoral Fellow should expect to travel to project sites 4-6 times per year. Specific funds are requested for travel expenses. Basic Qualifications: Applicants must have a doctoral degree in a relevant field which may include but is not limited to statistics/bioinformatics, implementation science, health economics, social work, sociology, clinical psychology, or epidemiology. Applicants who will receive the doctoral diploma in the spring of 2025 may apply. Official documentation of degree fulfillment is required to start in this position. Additional Qualifications: Record of scholarly publication, including first-authored scientific journal articles. Expertise in research design and data analysis, including any of the following: clinical trials, implementation science, economic evaluation, digital health, statistical analysis for clinical trials, big data analysis, etc. Demonstrated track record engaging in fieldwork, involving meeting with stakeholders including study participants, clinicians, community members, and researchers. Experience working in or collaborating with researchers in India or other low and/or middle-income countries. Prior supervision of research team or coordination of research activities. Current knowledge of mental illnesses, mental health problems and service interventions to address these disorders in low-resource settings. Contact Information: Katy O'Neill, Program Manager Mental Health for All Lab HMS Global Health and Social Medicine 641 Huntington Avenue Boston MA 02115 Contact Email: Katy_ONeill@hms.harvard.edu Special Instructions: Include a cover letter in which you state your long-term career aims, interest in the project, and suitability for the position, specifically referring to the criteria listed above. Equal Opportunity Employer: We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions or any other characteristic protected by law.