The Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences at McMaster University is seeking a postdoctoral scholar to work in the area of maternal postpartum depression prevention and treatment with a start date of September, 2023. 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 the Canadian Institutes of Health Research 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 (CBT) 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 (PHNs), as well as mothers who have recovered from postpartum depression, 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. This fellowship will be most appropriate for individuals with an interest in pursuing an academic career in clinical research.
The successful applicant will have the following qualifications:
•Ph.D. in Clinical, Counselling, or Experimental Psychology (or equivalent)
•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 experience with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and CBT applications for depression and anxiety and related disorders.
•Teaching and supervisory experience at the undergraduate and graduate level
•An established track record of academic productivity (e.g., peer reviewed publications, presentations at professional meetings, peer-reviewed funding)
•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, but clinical experiences may also be available
•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 and paid personal/educational days. 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).
Start Date: The anticipated start date is September 5th, 2023, but there is some flexibility regarding the start date. Documentation will be required to confirm that the PhD defense will be completed prior to the fellowship start date.
Setting: McMaster University, is situated on 300 acres of scenic property, has over 28,000 undergraduate students, 4,500 graduate students, and 1,000 full time faculty. It is recognized as one of Canada’s best diversity employers, Canada’s most research-intensive university, and is ranked among the world’s top 70 universities by the Times Higher Education University Impact Rankings. 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 Mental Health 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.
