School of Medicine Established in 1930, Duke University School of Medicine is the youngest of the nation's top medical schools. Ranked sixth among medical schools in the nation, the School takes pride in being an inclusive community of outstanding learners, investigators, clinicians, and staff where interdisciplinary collaboration is embraced and great ideas accelerate translation of fundamental scientific discoveries to improve human health locally and around the globe. Composed of more than 2,500 faculty physicians and researchers, more than 1,300 students, and more than 6,000 staff, the Duke University School of Medicine along with the Duke University School of Nursing, Duke University Health System and the Private Diagnostic Clinic (PDC) comprise Duke Health. a world-class academic medical center. The Health System encompasses Duke University Hospital, Duke Regional Hospital, Duke Raleigh Hospital, Duke Primary Care, Duke Home and Hospice, Duke Health and Wellness, and multiple affiliations.

Postdoctoral Fellow Position

Supporting research in the new Duke Center for Global Mental Health

Duke Global Health Institute 

The Duke Global Health Institute (DGHI) at Duke University in Durham, NC is conducting a national search for a postdoctoral position in Global Mental Health (GMH). The postdoc will support and develop intervention-focused research, which could include intervention development and adaptation; evaluation of interventions; and/or the application of implementation science approaches to improve mental health intervention delivery and access. Specific topics, populations, and contexts are flexible, though we are especially interested in seeking applicants capable of contributing to research in low- and middle-income countries. 

Within our Duke Center for Global Mental Health, we highly value mentorship of Duke students and collaborative partnerships with our international colleagues, and seek an applicant who is passionate about engaging in these activities alongside their research. This postdoc would have the opportunity to engage in direct mentorship with undergraduate students, often Global Health majors; with graduate students in DGHI’s Master of Science in Global Health Program; and with doctoral students from across the university, school of nursing, and medical school. The postdoc would also have the opportunity to gain experience in university teaching through guest lectures or co-teaching opportunities with GMH faculty.

Applicants with an interest in academic research careers will receive mentorship in grant writing and pursuing extramural research funding, such as NIH F or K Awards.

Lastly, we seek an applicant who is interested in taking an active role in developing our growing Center for Global Mental Health, to participate in vision-setting and strategic planning as we continue to expand our GMH research and training efforts.

The position comes with two years of funding and the possibility for extension based on mutual interest and funding. Salary will be commensurate with the NRSA scale.

Background

DGHI was created in 2006 as a University-wide institute with faculty from across Duke. DGHI has an expansive vision: to achieve health equity for vulnerable groups and individuals around the world. We work to prepare global health leaders through world-leading interdisciplinary education programs; seek innovative solutions to the world’s most pressing global health challenges by conducting research, designing policies, and implementing evidence-based interventions; and partner for change by engaging international and local organizations in locally grounded, collaborative projects. The DGHI community involves 111 staff, 99 core faculty, and 84 affiliate and adjunct faculty. DGHI values humility, compassion, respect, cultural sensitivity, collaboration, diversity and inclusion, and commitment to impact. More information on the institute’s leadership, education and degree programs, faculty research, and impact can be found at: https://globalhealth.duke.edu

DGHI is dedicated to research and training in Global Mental Health to reduce disparities in mental health care in low-resource contexts. We have an established Duke Center for Global Mental Health that serves as a hub to link interdisciplinary faculty and trainees across Duke, including Duke University and Duke School of Medicine. We have faculty members who integrate mental health into their interdisciplinary global health research and trainees participating actively in Global Mental Health research at the undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral levels. At Duke, we define Global Mental Health broadly, with research topics addressing diverse mental health needs across contexts and age groups, and spanning the prevention to treatment continuum. Please see more information about our Center for Global Mental Health and faculty research here: https://globalhealth.duke.edu/global-mental-health-center.

Qualifications and Skills

Required

• Doctoral or terminal degree (PhD, ScD, DrPH, MD) in relevant field, including but not limited to: Psychology, Nursing, Medicine, Global Health, Public Health, Health Behavior, Implementation Science.
• Experience or interest in conducting intervention-focused research in global mental health
• Experience or interest in conducting research in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs)
• Perspectives and experiences that reflect a strong commitment to equity, inclusion, and decolonization

Preferred

• Clinical experience or interest in mental health intervention delivery
• Experience or interest in academic teaching
• Experience or interest in supervising and mentoring trainees in research or practice
• Licensed or eligible for licensure as a mental health professional (psychologist, psychiatrist, psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner)

Application Process

Review of applications will start March 1, 2024 and continue until the position is filled.

As a first step, applicants are required to submit (1) a cover letter describing their interest, experience, qualifications, and skills for the position and (2) a curriculum vitae. Applicants selected for an interview will be asked to provide letters of reference and may be invited to give a research presentation.

All questions may be directed to Maeve Salm, Clinical Research Coordinator for the Duke Center for Global Mental Health, at dukegmh@duke.edu, or to Erica Carter, Human Resource Departmental Director at the Duke Global Health Institute, at erica.carter@duke.edu[EP1] .

Duke University is committed to encouraging and sustaining work and learning environments that are free from harassment and discrimination. Duke prohibits discrimination and harassment in the administration of both its employment and educational policies. Duke University, located in Durham, North Carolina, is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, genetic information, gender, gender expression, gender identity, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status. Duke also makes good faith efforts to recruit, hire, and promote qualified women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans.

Minimum Qualifications

Education

See job description for education requirements.

Experience

See job description for requirements.

Duke is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Essential Physical Job Functions: Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.