Postdoctoral Fellowships in Implementation Research in Suicide Prevention |
The Innovation in Suicide Prevention Implementation Research (INSPIRE) Center at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine invites applications for postdoctoral fellowships to begin in Summer or Fall 2023. This interdisciplinary training program provides an excellent opportunity for social scientists to improve their knowledge of implementation science, health information technology, participatory design, qualitative and quantitative research methods, and how to conduct research that can improve outcomes for our most vulnerable citizens. We encourage both applicants with training in implementation science who are interested in applying their expertise to suicide prevention research and applicants with training in suicide prevention who are interested in applying their expertise to implementation science research. We will provide specialized training in both areas through this fellowship.
The NIH-funded Penn INSPIRE Center will develop and adapt practice-based and other suicide prevention interventions for underserved groups, and will design and test implementation strategies to optimize how evidence-based practices are brought to scale efficiently and effectively. INSPIRE is especially interested in postdoctoral candidates who bring new perspectives to suicide prevention.
The University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine has a longstanding commitment to postdoctoral training and offers a unique environment in which to train early-stage investigators. Faculty involved in the INSPIRE Center have collaborated closely with community agencies, including Penn Medicine and Philadelphia's Departments of Health and Behavioral Health. Through these partnerships, we have created unique opportunities to embed postdoctoral trainees in the settings in which they hope to conduct research.
We have two fellowship positions available. Each fellow will be assigned one of the following mentors, depending on their interests: Gregory Brown, PhD; Maria Oquendo, MD, PhD; Frances Barg, PhD, MEd; Jose Bauermeister, PhD, MPH; Tami Benton, MD; Rhonda Boyd, PhD; Lily Brown, PhD; Robert Gallop, PhD; Kelly Green, PhD; Emily Becker-Haimes, PhD; Shari Jager-Hyman, PhD; David Mandell, ScD; Danielle Mowery, PhD; Zuleyha Cidav, PhD; Courtney Wolk, PhD. These experienced mentors will guide fellows in developing an independent research agenda.
In addition to mentorship, postdoctoral fellows will have access to an abundance of resources, including opportunities to:
- Develop an individualized research program under the mentorship from INSPIRE faculty
- Take courses specific to the fellow's individual needs and interests
- Interact with community partners from the city as part of our relationships with the Department of Behavioral Health, Department of Health, and Penn Medicine
- Access to many of the rich intellectual resources available at Penn, including monthly professional development didactics
- Apply for pilot funds and receive a budget annually for professional development and networking
- Conduct both primary data collection and secondary data analysis
Appointment: Summer or fall 2023. Appointments are for one year, and are renewable for up to three years.
The Center seeks applications from persons with a PhD, MD, or equivalent doctoral degree and a strong commitment to a career in suicide prevention research and implementation science. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are core values at the Penn INSPIRE Center. We are committed to recruiting and supporting individuals of diverse backgrounds, especially those who are underrepresented in science. Past applicants have come with training in qualitative or quantitative methods, and from disciplines such as clinical psychology, school psychology, community psychology, social work, public health, nursing, economics, and anthropology. Recent graduates and those seeking to enhance their skills in new areas are welcome to apply. While we are open to supporting individuals with a variety of interests, we especially encourage applications from those interested in digital health, LGBTQ+ health, and Black mental health. Stipends vary with experience.
The application asks you to provide demographic information (optional), brief academic history, your CV, cover letter, up to 3 published manuscripts or writing samples, and the names and emails of three references.
NB. Re: COVID-19: It is difficult to anticipate the impact of Covid-19 on our typical processes. We plan to conduct all interviews virtually for this year to ensure the safety of prospective fellows and our team.