Research Fellow in Global Mental Health Implementation Science

Research Fellow in Global Mental Health Implementation Science

We invite applicants for a postdoctoral research fellow position in the Mental Health for All Lab (MhfAL) at the Department of Global Health and Social Medicine at Harvard Medical School in Boston, Massachusetts. The work of the MhfAL lab is focused on the generation of knowledge and its effective utilization with the goal of contributing to the reduction of the global burden of suffering from mental health problems through novel approaches such as digital technology or task-sharing for scale-up of proven interventions.

We welcome applications from recent PhD graduates who are interested in these or related fields, particularly those who may bring a new technology or perspective to bear on the work in the lab.

A key focus for this position will involve supporting the scientific and research activities for studies focused on leveraging innovative digital technologies for scaling up proven psychosocial interventions across underserved settings globally, with emphasis in India and the United States. These research efforts involve participating in the development, evaluation, and implementation of task-shared mental health services in primary care settings and other community settings, with particular focus on serious mental illness, including schizophrenia disorders and bipolar disorder.

The successful candidate will work with Dr. John Naslund to implement a project in India focused on using digital technology to support the implementation of proven interventions aimed at promoting the functioning and recovery among individuals living with serious mental illness and their families. The successful candidate will be expected to travel regularly to the project sites, engage in fieldwork, and work collaboratively with a large group of project stakeholders and investigators.

In addition to carrying out mental health implementation research, the successful candidate will be expected to apply for fellowship funding, contribute to the writing of grants and manuscripts for peer-reviewed publication, present research findings at conferences and scientific meetings, participate in teaching and mentoring of lab members as needed, and otherwise contribute to overall lab operations in a collaborative environment.

Responsibilities include developing and implementing an independent research project that extends and complements the work of the lab; writing and submitting proposals to fund the research; securing and maintaining IRB and regulatory approvals; conducting analysis, publishing findings, and disseminating research findings through presentations at conferences and scientific meetings; acting as scientific liaison for day-to-day oversight of research activities between Harvard Medical School and the project sites and collaborators, including conducting and leading data analyses across the study components;

designing intervention materials, training content, and data collection instruments; and leading the implementation of study protocols; monitoring data collection and quality in the field; and supporting capacity building within the team at Harvard Medical School and at the project sites through presenting work to local stakeholders and research collaborators, providing guidance and mentorship to research staff involved in different aspects of the research project, and engaging stakeholders at the study sites and surrounding communities in dissemination of the project findings.

This position is based in Boston, MA and involves frequent travel to field sites in the U.S. and internationally. Final date to receive applications is 8/31/2026. This is a one-year term position from the date of hire, with the possibility of extension, contingent upon work performance, business need, and continued funding to support the position. Salary and benefits are available. This position is represented by the Harvard Academic Workers (HAW) –UAW for purposes of collective bargaining and matters affecting compensation and working conditions.

Basic qualifications include a Ph.D. or M.D./Ph.D. in areas such as biostatistics/bioinformatics, implementation science,…