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Suicide Prevention and Intervention Scientist - Term appointment (3 years renewable)

Entity

Brain and Mind Institute

Location

Pakistan or Kenya

Introduction

Chartered in 1983, Aga Khan University (AKU, www.aku.edu) is a private, autonomous and self-governing international university, with 13 teaching sites in 6 countries over three continents. An integral part of the Aga Khan Development Network (www.akdn.org), AKU provides higher education in multiple health science and social science disciplines, carries out research pertinent primarily to low- and middle-income countries and operates 7 hospitals (soon 8) and over 325 outreach clinics, all at international standards. It has almost 2,500 students and 14,000 staff. The University is both a model of academic excellence and an agent of social change. As a leading international institution dedicated to excellence and change, AKU operates on the core principles of quality, relevance, impact and access.

The Brain and Mind Institute is a new entity that operates across the Aga Khan University’s multi-country campuses, connecting the rich tapestry of academic entities, and facilitating interdisciplinary research, education and related clinical programming in mental health and neurosciences. The Institute is developing an integrated mental health framework and its work program involves: (1) Education; (2) Research; (3) Innovation (delivery science); and (4) Engagement (intra-AKU, funders, governments, stakeholders).

Do you want to improve mental health in the developing world? Have you ever wondered what it would be like to help guide a world-changing organization just as they started growing rapidly?

We are looking for a bold, entrepreneurial, and boundary-pushing leader who is enthralled by the challenge and excited by the opportunity to drive transformations in mental health and help improve the quality of life for millions - on a national and international scale, on an accelerated timeline.

This is an interdisciplinary research position, focused on suicide prevention and intervention, in Kenya and/or Pakistan and addressing, through research, academic programming, and policy influence, the mounting burden of mental illness among vulnerable populations, with particular focus on regions lacking sufficient numbers of professionals with expertise in suicide prevention.

Working as a member of the faculty at AKU offers a world-class opportunity in AKU’s unique landscape, collaborating across multiple countries with cross appointment potential in our medical colleges.

Responsibilities

  • Conducting research;
  • Planning, coordinating, supervising and carrying out research activities;
  • Exploring funding opportunities, preparing and submitting grant applications;
  • Building capacity through teaching and mentorship;
  • Networking with local and international experts in related fields;
  • Communicating research findings through scientific journals, conferences, social media and lay press and other outputs;
  • Development and delivery of suicide prevention interventions;
  • Applying implementation science, to test and scale evidence-based interventions;
  • Developing academic programs on suicide prevention for professional and lay stakeholder communities;
  • Preparing briefing documents and informing policy makers;
  • Assisting in government or community-based suicide prevention activities and proposals;
  • Collaborating with existing suicide prevention agencies and experts.

Requirements

  • A PhD and/or Medical Degree(s) in a relevant discipline;
  • Information Technology (IT) literacy, including excellent technical skills (e.g., in MS office, data analytics, etc.);
  • Experience in scientific research, analysis, evaluations, reviews, and publications;
  • Good understanding of epidemiological and qualitative analysis;
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English (additional linguistic capacities in Urdu and/or Swahili would be an asset);
  • Ability to work relatively independently as well as collaboratively with interdisciplinary and international teams;
  • A strong publication record;
  • Sensitivity to and respect for diversity;
Knowledge and/or experience in the following would be an asset:
  • Global and national suicide prevention strategies;
  • Surveillance systems for the detection/monitoring of suicide ideation or mental illness;
  • Mental health organizations and related NGOs in the sector;
  • Predictive analytics methods.

To Apply

Interested candidates should submit a Cover letter, detailed Curriculum Vitae, names and email contacts of three professional referees, telephone contact, e-mail address and copies of relevant academic certificates  to, the Director, Human Resources, Aga Khan University’s Campus Nairobi, Kenya. P. O. Box 30270-00100 or by email to hr.universityke@aku.edu . 

Your email application should bear the reference number SPIS/BMI.  Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.