Washington University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status.

Please do not submit an application to this posting.  To apply for this postdoctoral research opportunity, follow the directions below in “Applicant Special Instructions”.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The LEAD Global Training Program is seeking a postdoctoral fellow to work on a research experience in the individual research laboratory of a faculty mentor on a specific research project and field site, with a focus on global mental health disparities.

The postdoctoral fellow will have the opportunity to work with Dr. Patricia Cavazos, Dr. Fred Ssewamala, and a rich network of partners and collaborators within Washington University in St. Louis, and with partners from other institutions in the US and Sub Saharan Africa, to develop an independent project on US domestic or global mental health disparities. In addition to high-quality research facilities, career and professional development training for postdoctoral researchers is provided through the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs, Career Center, Teaching Center, Writing Center and campus groups.  There is funding for up to one year with the potential to renew for a second year.

Additional information on being a postdoc at Washington University in St. Louis can be found at postdoc.wustl.edu/prospective-postdocs.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The postdoctoral fellow trains under the supervision of a faculty mentor to accomplish the following (including but not limited to):

1. Manages their own project, which should lead to publication.
2. Develops expertise in global mental health prevention, intervention, services and implementation research within resource constrained settings.
3. Develops proficiency in career skills, including writing, public speaking, networking, and critical evaluation of area literature.
4. Presents work both inside and outside the University with excellent oral communication skills.
5. Assists with grant preparation and reporting.
6. Works with the PIs, directors, and Center Affiliates on Data Analysis and Management for specific NIH funded students—resulting in manuscripts development, submission and publication.
7. Prepares and submits papers on research with excellent writing skills.
8. Designs a research project or projects.
9. Maintains conscientious discharge of research responsibilities.
10. Maintains conformity with ethical standards in research.
11. Maintains collegial conduct towards co-trainees, staff members and members of the research group or department.
12. Adheres to all applicable University policies, procedures and regulations. 
13. May travel to a field site in Sub Saharan Africa, depending on research focus and travel conditions.

• Doctoral degree or be in the process of obtaining a postdoctoral degree in the following fields (i.e., MD, PhD, PharmD, EdD, ScD, DPT, OTD).
• Must be from a disadvantaged background or from a background that is underrepresented in biomedical, behavioral, clinical and social sciences research. For more information, see https://extramural-diversity.nih.gov/diversity-matters/get-the-facts.
• Postdoc applicants are expected to be no more than five years beyond their postdoctoral or fellowship training when they enter the program. Individuals who have previously served as PI on a major NIH research grant (e.g., R01), subproject of program project (P01) or contract (N01) are not eligible for this funding mechanism.
• US citizen, non-citizen national, or permanent resident.
• Must have a research plan and career development plan that is supported by at least two mentors approved by the program. At least one of the mentors must hold NIH, CDC, or PCORI funding.

Interested applicants should apply at https://sites.wustl.edu/lead/apply/.

Base pay commensurate with experience.  Stipend will be determined by the number of full years of relevant postdoctoral experience, as established by NIH guidelines.

Please attach a copy of your most current signed performance evaluation (completed within the last 18 months) to your online account. If you have not received a performance evaluation, you may provide two current signed letters of recommendation (written within the last 18 months), preferably to include one letter from either a current or recent former supervisor. To attach these documents, go to: My Career Tools, Add Attachment, Attachment Type – Performance Reviews or Letters of Recommendation.

All external candidates receiving an offer for employment will be required to submit to pre-employment screening for this position. Current employees applying for a new position within the university may be subject to this requirement. The screenings will include a criminal background check and, as applicable for the position, other background checks, drug screen, employment and education or licensure/certification verification, physical examination, certain vaccinations and/or governmental registry checks. All offers are contingent upon successful completion of required screening.

This position is eligible for full-time benefits.  Please click the following link to view a summary of benefits:  https://hr.wustl.edu/benefits/.

This position is in the LEAD Global Training Program. It is a joint appointment in the Brown School, International Center for Child Health and Development (ICHAD) and School of Medicine, Psychiatry Department.  This position will be located at both the Danforth and Medical School Campuses.

Training LEADers to Accelerate Global Mental Health Disparities Research (LEAD) provides training in minority health and health disparities research, with a strong focus on global mental health disparities. LEAD is a two-phase training program designed for advanced pre-doctoral students and postdoctoral trainees from diverse backgrounds in the US, including groups underrepresented in biomedical, behavioral, clinical and social sciences research, interested in global mental health disparities research. Trainees and postdoctoral fellows are recruited from universities across the US and are trained over an intensive 10-12-week summer program. Postdoctoral fellows participate in the summer training program as an important component of their 12-month appointment. LEAD capitalizes on the rich resources for US local and global health disparities (including mental health) available at Washington University in St. Louis (WUSTL), to provide trainees with the skills and experiences needed to lead multi-disciplinary, collaborative research teams focused on health disparities research in low-resource communities.