Postdoctoral Associate

Founded in 1824, the GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences ( SMHS) is the 11th oldest medical school in the country and the 1st in the nation's capital. Since its establishment, SMHS has been at the forefront of medical education and has grown to include highly-ranked programs in the health and biomedical sciences. With dozens of top-tier residencies, the school continues to be a competitive and esteemed destination for medical school graduates, faculty, and researchers across the country. Find out more here: http://smhs.gwu.edu/.

The Center for Global Mental Health Equity currently seeks a full-time Postdoctoral Associate to develop an independent career pathway centered around implementation science research in South Asia. Specifically, the pathway's research focus will regard stigma reduction and collaboration with experts by experience of mental health conditions. At large, the center implements research and capacity building initiatives that address systemic barriers to accessible, effective mental health care in these contexts. With a diversity of National Institute of Mental Health ( NIMH)-funded grants, World Health Organization ( WHO) collaborations, and other institutional partnerships among its project portfolio, it utilizes community participatory research-based approaches to feasibly address the mental health needs of peoples worldwide. This independent career pathway will be well-integrated into the portfolio.

A central aim of the intended portfolio is the co-development of valid health service assessment tools in collaboration with experts by experience to prioritize 'what matters most' regarding mental health needs and gaps in a diversity of contexts. As the center prepares to expand the number of settings in which it pursues this aim, it requires the Postdoctoral Associate position to appropriately seek external grant funding, including career development awards. With a high degree of autonomy, the position will lead the implementation of research activities in collaboration with experts by experience, including but not limited to formative qualitative research (e.g., theory of change workshops, focus group discussions, etc.) among relevant end-users, other participatory research methods, broad administration of study procedures (e.g., informed consent discussion, self-report assessments), and mixed-methods data analysis. In addition, it will manage the creation of robust, bidirectional partnerships with local organizations that will serve as consulting and/or recruitment sites with respect to said activities. Because of the position's scope of work, the center will more effectively conduct its research agenda in alignment with intended aims.

* Co-author study protocols (i.e., specific aims, research methods, inclusion/exclusion criteria, intended procedures and timeframes, reportable events classifications)

* Apply for independent funding to pursue career development, e.g., submission of a career development award

* Advise formative qualitative research among relevant end-users (e.g., theory of change workshops, focus group discussions, key informant interviews) that identifies 'what matters most' with respect to mental health needs in a given context

* Advise the translation and cultural adaptation of selected materials relevant to mental health assessment tools and/or psychosocial interventions of interest

* Facilitate the sustained engagement of participating community organizations in study operations (i.e., active communication, regular solicitation and integration of feedback)

* Advise the development and execution of comprehensive analysis plans with respect to both quantitative and qualitative trial data; Perform ad hoc data analysis

* Lead the drafting, presentation, and dissemination of manuscripts in the area of mental health, stigma reduction, and collaboration with experts by experience across a diversity of lay and academic settings

* Advise the development and implementation of capacity building activities for researchers based in low- and middle-income countries

* Regularly attend and contribute to weekly team meetings

* Perform other related duties as assigned. The omission of specific duties does not preclude the supervisor from assigning duties that are logically related to the position
Minimum Qualifications:

* Qualified candidates will have defended a PhD in global health, implementation science, or a related subject matter by the start of the position

* Documented record of first-author publications related to global mental health, stigma reduction, and/or collaboration with experts by experience

* Documented record of capacity building experience in low- and middle-income countries, with a focus on collaboration with experts by experience

* Fluency in both written and spoken Nepali

Applicants must have fulfilled all requirements for the award of a PhD or equivalent qualification in a relevant field by the date of employment.

*Previous research experience in administration of global mental health and/or community-based participatory research

*Previous experience in the development and implementation of mixed-methods research and corresponding analysis plans

*Excellent verbal and written communication

*Excellent command over prioritization and organization

*Demonstrated track record of promoting gender, racial, and ethnic equity in global health research

*Ability to adaptably and empathetically collaborate with numerous stakeholders across a diversity of backgrounds

*Ability to take initiative, working both independently and within a team environment

*Ability and willingness to travel up to 1/3 of the time

Employees in this subfamily are responsible for designing and conducting experiments in a controlled laboratory setting. Duties may include performing experiments, collecting, analyzing and reporting data.