The Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences at McMaster University is seeking a postdoctoral scholar to work in the area of maternal postpartum depression treatment with a start date of September, 2022. The position duration is one year with a possible renewal for a 2nd year.
Job Description: Our team is recruiting a scholar to become part of an active and innovative research program sponsored by CIHR and other funders that aims to increase access to the treatments mothers struggling with postpartum most prefer, psychotherapy. The scholar’s work will focus on helping to develop and test interventions based on cognitive behavioural therapy and that involve task-shifting its delivery to those in need.
Ongoing projects include randomized controlled trials testing 1-day CBT-based workshops for postpartum depression delivered by public health nurses, as well as mothers who have recovered from PPD, in addition to lengthier peer- and PHN-delivered group CBT for PPD interventions. The scholar will have immediate access to data already collected in the context of these studies to address questions related to virtual vs. in-person delivery of CBT for PPD, and the effects of these treatments on offspring. In addition to a focus on data analysis, writing manuscripts, and learning new skills in the training, delivery, and supervision of CBT delivery, the scholar will have opportunities to contribute to the development and testing of new interventions (e.g., 1-day CBT-based workshops for preventing PPD, 1-day workshops for postpartum anxiety) in randomized controlled trials, and to designing new projects for further follow-up.
The successful applicant will have the following qualifications:
- Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from an APA or CPA accredited graduate program (or equivalent)
- Registered, or eligible for registration, through the College of Psychologists of Ontario
- Clinical experience diagnosing and treating females of childbearing age with depression and/or anxiety
- Possess competency and experience with an appropriate range of measures, and assessment techniques with specific competency and experience in semi-structured and diagnostic interviews (e.g., MINI)
- Have experience with the design and analysis of randomized controlled trials
- Possess specific competency and experience in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and CBT applications for depression, anxiety and related disorders.
- Teaching and supervisory experiences at the undergraduate and graduate level
- An established track record of academic productivity (e.g., peer-reviewed funding, peer reviewed publications, presentations at professional meetings)
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively as a member of a multidisciplinary team, to collaborate with community resources and services, and to advocate for the needs of clients
- Advanced oral and written communication skills required for scholarly presentations and publications
- Fellows are expected to engage in full-time research activities
- The successful scholar will be strongly encouraged to apply for national/international awards
Salary: Salary is competitive at $50,000, with an additional percentage in lieu of benefits (about 14%, or $7,000 annually), and 15 paid personal/educational days annually. Healthcare benefits are provided to everyone through the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP). Those moving to Ontario from out of province or from the USA will be required to undergo a waiting period prior to accessing OHIP services (https://www.ontario.ca/page/apply-ohip-and-get-health-card).
Setting: Nestled along the shores of Lake Ontario and adjacent to the Niagara Escarpment, the City of Hamilton is home to several cultural, recreational landmarks, and conservation areas. Hamilton is 45 minutes from Toronto, a large cosmopolitan city with 3 million residents and a wide array of sports, entertainment, shopping and dining experiences. It is also about an hour from Buffalo, NY, and less than an hour from Niagara Falls, and the nearby Niagara wine country.
Our research group is committed to enhancing and supporting equity, diversity and inclusion. Applicants from diverse backgrounds, including age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, language, national origin, race, religion, culture, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic status, are encouraged to apply.
Interested applicants may send their cover letter and CV to Dr. Ryan Van Lieshout, Canada Research Chair in the Perinatal Programming of Mental Disorders and Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences at McMaster University via email: vanlierj@mcmaster.ca. Applicants should also forward (or arrange for) 2 letters of reference to vanlierj@mcmaster.ca. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.
