Head of the Implementation Science Lab in Mental Health

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POSITION SPECIFICS

The Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health at the Penn State College of Medicine, in collaboration with the Social Science Research Institute (SSRI), invites applications for an independent, tenure-line faculty position, at the Associate Professor or Professor level. The ideal candidate will have a robust track record in developing and testing evidence-based mental health interventions in real-world clinical settings, particularly focused on reaching underserved populations. This position offers an exciting opportunity to build and lead interdisciplinary research to improve mental health outcomes by accelerating evidence-based adoption into routine care. The successful candidate will leverage SSRI's collaborative networks and resources, as well as opportunities to apply implementation science methodologies within the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health's established clinical and research programs, including areas such as mood disorders, sleep medicine, autism spectrum disorders, substance use disorders, ADHD, and child/adolescent mental and behavioral health.

Responsibilities:

- Establish, lead, and direct the Implementation Science Lab focused on mental health

- Collaborate with researchers across Penn State's colleges and interdisciplinary networks to design and test interventions targeting mental health in underserved populations

- Teach and mentor graduate students, medical students, and medical trainees

- Conduct and publish research on the effectiveness of mental health interventions in diverse, real-world settings

- Secure external funding to support research initiatives and contribute to the department's research goals

Qualifications:

- PhD, MD, or equivalent in a relevant field (e.g., psychology, psychiatry, public health, social science)

- Established record of research in mental health disparities, particularly in implementation science or health equity

- Proven ability to lead interdisciplinary teams and collaborate with clinical and academic departments, including through SSRI-supported initiatives

- Experience securing external research funding

- Commitment to teaching and mentoring in a collaborative, diverse academic environment

Preferred Qualifications:

- Experience working with rural, underserved, or other marginalized populations

- Clinical background with demonstrated interest in integrating research and clinical care, with no more than 25% clinical time required for those with a clinical degree

About Penn State and Hershey:

Pennsylvania State University ranks as one of the top 30 research universitites in the world, and its College of Medicine is one of the nation's leading medical schools. Located in Hershey, Penn State's College of Medicine and Penn State Health offer a dynamic, interdisciplinary environment for collaboration in mental health research. Our department is committed to research that translates into real-world improvements in health outcomes for underserved populations.

Furthermore, the College of Medicine boasts a rich and growing community focused on Implementation Science, centered around the Penn State Clinical and Translational Science Institute's (CTSI) Implementation Science Core (ISC). The ISC provides infrastructure, including expert consultation, training opportunities, and pilot funding, fostering a vibrant ecosystem dedicated to bridging the gap between evidence-based practices and real-world applications to improve health equity.

Penn State's interdisciplinary Social Science Research Institute (SSRI), a university-wide institute under the Office of the Senior Vice President for Research, is co-funding this position. The SSRI's mission is to foster novel and interdisciplinary research collaborations across colleges to address critical human and social problems and to disseminate and translate this work into the broader community. SSRI provides research support and consultation, funding, infrastructure support, and services to social and behavioral scientists across different colleges. Candidates whose research shows evidence of, or potential for, interdisciplinary collaborations across disciplinary lines are particularly desired. A description of the Social Science Research Institute's Strategic Foci can be found at https://ssri.psu.edu/about/ssri-overview.

How to apply:

Interested candidates should submit a CV, a cover letter outlining research interests and experience, and the names of three references. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

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