Postdoctoral Scholar In Mental Health Crisis Response Research

The Sentinel Lab at Case Western Reserve University invites applications for a full-time Postdoctoral

Scholar. The Sentinel Lab, directed by Dr. Alison Athey and housed within the Sara and Curt Moll

Institute for Mental Health and Well-Being, has two complementary aims: (1) to develop and evaluate

programs that prevent suicide and drug overdose deaths, and (2) to support caregivers to people who

experience life-threatening behaviors (e.g., suicide and drug overdose) and illnesses (e.g., progressive,

terminal illnesses associated with cognitive decline).

The postdoctoral scholar will join a growing research program that uses psychiatric epidemiology,

community-based participatory research, and clinical intervention methods to reduce self-injury

mortality and improve the mental health and well-being of people at risk, their caregivers, and the

people they care for. The position offers protected time for scholarship, close mentorship in grant

writing and career development, and opportunities to collaborate with Moll Institute faculty and

community partners (e.g., memory and geriatric care clinics, hospice and palliative care programs, crisis

service agencies, and aging services organizations).

Responsibilities

• Lead and support quantitative and qualitative analyses of study data, including epidemiological

analyses of mortality and health services data and analyses of intervention trial data.

• Prepare first-authored and collaborative manuscripts, conference presentations, and reports.
• Contribute to the design, coordination, and day-to-day conduct of ongoing studies, including

community-based intervention pilots involving people at risk for suicide and/or overdose and

family and other informal caregivers.

• Develop an independent line of research aligned with the lab's aims, with mentored support for

fellowship and career development award applications (e.g., NIH F32/K awards, foundation

grants).

• Help supervise and mentor research assistants and student trainees.

In compliance with the City of Cleveland's Pay Transparency Ordinance (effective October 27, 2025), the annual starting base salary range for this position is $55,000 - $63,480. CWRU considers factors such as (but not limited to) the specific grant funding and the terms of the research grant when extending an offer. Postdocs receive individual and family healthcare benefits, life insurance, and employee assistance.

• PhD, PsyD, DrPH, ScD, MD, or equivalent terminal degree, conferred by the appointment start

date, in clinical psychology, public health, epidemiology, social work, or a related field.

(Applicants who have not yet graduated must have completed all degree requirements,

including a successful defense, before an offer letter can be issued.)

• Demonstrated interest in suicide prevention, overdose prevention, caregiving, bereavement, or

related areas of mental health research.

• Strong quantitative skills (e.g., R, Stata, SAS, or SPSS) and/or qualitative (e.g., NVivo, Dedoose);

experience with mixed methods, intensive longitudinal data, linked administrative data, or

clinical trials is a plus.

• Excellent scientific writing skills and a track record of peer-reviewed publication commensurate

with career stage.

• Ability to work empathically and professionally with participants and community partners

affected by suicide, overdose, and life-threatening illness.