The Sentinel Lab at Case Western Reserve University invites applications for a full-time Postdoctoral Scholar. The Sentinel Lab, directed by Dr. Alison Athey and housed within the Sara and Curt Moll Institute for Mental Health and Well-Being, has two complementary aims: (1) to develop and evaluate programs that prevent suicide and drug overdose deaths, and (2) to support caregivers to people who experience life-threatening behaviors (e.g., suicide and drug overdose) and illnesses (e.g., progressive, terminal illnesses associated with cognitive decline).
The postdoctoral scholar will join a growing research program that uses psychiatric epidemiology, community-based participatory research, and clinical intervention methods to reduce self-injury mortality and improve the mental health and well-being of people at risk, their caregivers, and the people they care for. The position offers protected time for scholarship, close mentorship in grant writing and career development, and opportunities to collaborate with Moll Institute faculty and community partners (e.g., memory and geriatric care clinics, hospice and palliative care programs, crisis service agencies, and aging services organizations).
Responsibilities
• Lead and support quantitative and qualitative analyses of study data, including epidemiological analyses of mortality and health services data and analyses of intervention trial data.
• Prepare first-authored and collaborative manuscripts, conference presentations, and reports.
• Contribute to the design, coordination, and day-to-day conduct of ongoing studies, including community-based intervention pilots involving people at risk for suicide and/or overdose and family and other informal caregivers.
• Develop an independent line of research aligned with the lab’s aims, with mentored support for fellowship and career development award applications (e.g., NIH F32/K awards, foundation grants).
• Help supervise and mentor research assistants and student trainees.
• PhD, PsyD, DrPH, ScD, MD, or equivalent terminal degree, conferred by the appointment start date, in clinical psychology, public health, epidemiology, social work, or a related field. (Applicants who have not yet graduated must have completed all degree requirements, including a successful defense, before an offer letter can be issued.)
• Demonstrated interest in suicide prevention, overdose prevention, caregiving, bereavement, or related areas of mental health research.
• Strong quantitative skills (e.g., R, Stata, SAS, or SPSS) and/or qualitative (e.g., NVivo, Dedoose); experience with mixed methods, intensive longitudinal data, linked administrative data, or clinical trials is a plus.
• Excellent scientific writing skills and a track record of peer-reviewed publication commensurate with career stage.
• Ability to work empathically and professionally with participants and community partners affected by suicide, overdose, and life-threatening illness.
Apply through Interfolio at [posting URL]. Applicants should submit a CV with a list of publications and contact information; writing samples; references will be requested from finalists and should be submitted directly to Dr. Alison Athey. Questions about the position may be directed to Dr. Athey at alison.athey@case.edu. Review of applications will begin ASAP and continue until the position is filled.
Case Western Reserve University is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants are protected under federal and state laws and university policy from discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national or ethnic origin, protected veteran status, disability, age and genetic information.
Reasonable Accommodation Statement:
Case Western Reserve University complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act regarding reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the Office of Equity by phone at 216.368.3066 or by email at equity@case.edu Determinations as to granting reasonable accommodations for any applicant will be made on a case-by-case basis.
