Postdoctoral Associate in Psychiatry (Duke University)

Duke University School of Medicine Location: Durham, NC, 27710 Requisition Number: 262196 Personnel Area: Medical Center Date Posted: October 3, 2025 Work Arrangement: Regular, Full-Time Description The Postdoctoral Associate will conduct independent research activities under the guidance of a faculty mentor in preparation for a full-time academic or research career. The individual will work primarily on the Duke Predictive Model of Adolescent Mental Health (Duke-PMA) study, a multi-site NIH-funded project that leverages artificial intelligence to predict risks of adolescent mental illness and improve early detection and prevention strategies in primary care settings. The study aims to enhance, deploy, and rigorously validate the Duke-PMA, a neural network-based tool designed to identify youth at high risk for psychiatric illness using low-cost, accessible clinical and behavioral measures. The overarching objective is to address the urgent need for accurate, individualized mental health prediction tools—particularly in rural and underserved communities where access to psychiatric services is limited. Minimum Requirements Ph.D. or equivalent doctorate (e.g., ScD, MD, DVM) in psychology, psychiatry, neuroscience, biostatistics, bioinformatics, computer science, or a related field Research background in clinical, computational, or developmental sciences relevant to mental health Preferred Qualifications Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively in an interdisciplinary team Commitment to publishing research and pursuing a career in academic or translational research Experience with statistical modeling, machine learning, or related quantitative methods preferred but not required Position Description Conduct full-time research or scholarship under the guidance of a faculty mentor, focusing on adolescent mental health and predictive modeling Design, conduct, and analyze experiments related to the Duke-PMA project, integrating psychosocial, neurobiological, and clinical data Prepare manuscripts for peer-reviewed journals and present findings at national and international conferences Collaborate with an interdisciplinary team of investigators, data scientists, clinicians, and community partners Contribute to grant applications, progress reports, and other project-related documents Maintain accurate records of research activities in accordance with Duke University standards Adhere to University standards regarding human subjects, data security, and responsible conduct of research Participate in mentoring graduate and undergraduate students, as appropriate About the Department The Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, founded in 1943, is one of 26 departments in the Duke University School of Medicine. The department has over 500 faculty, staff, and trainees. Its mission is to help people with behavioral health challenges live their best life through: Superior specialty and integrated patient care Ground-breaking research Exceptional training and education Why Duke? Duke University is consistently ranked among the top universities worldwide and is renowned for its cutting-edge research across disciplines. Faculty benefit from a competitive benefits package, including: Health insurance plans Generous paid time off Retirement programs with employer contributions Tuition assistance for employees and their children Application Screening Screening of applications continues until the position is filled. Equal Opportunity Statement Duke University is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to providing employment opportunities without regard to age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or military status. Duke fosters a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging, ensuring the exchange of ideas thrives and all members feel secure and welcome. Additional Information Essential Physical Job Functions: Certain roles may include essential physical and/or mental requirements. Reasonable accommodations are available upon request. Nearest Major Market: Durham Nearest Secondary Market: Raleigh If you apply for this position please say you saw it on Psychoneuroxy

Duke University School of Medicine
Location: Durham, NC, 27710
Requisition Number: 262196
Personnel Area: Medical Center
Date Posted: October 3, 2025
Work Arrangement: Regular, Full-Time

Description

The Postdoctoral Associate will conduct independent research activities under the guidance of a faculty mentor in preparation for a full-time academic or research career. The individual will work primarily on the Duke Predictive Model of Adolescent Mental Health (Duke-PMA) study, a multi-site NIH-funded project that leverages artificial intelligence to predict risks of adolescent mental illness and improve early detection and prevention strategies in primary care settings.

The study aims to enhance, deploy, and rigorously validate the Duke-PMA, a neural network-based tool designed to identify youth at high risk for psychiatric illness using low-cost, accessible clinical and behavioral measures. The overarching objective is to address the urgent need for accurate, individualized mental health prediction tools—particularly in rural and underserved communities where access to psychiatric services is limited.

Minimum Requirements

Ph.D. or equivalent doctorate (e.g., ScD, MD, DVM) in psychology, psychiatry, neuroscience, biostatistics, bioinformatics, computer science, or a related field
Research background in clinical, computational, or developmental sciences relevant to mental health

Preferred Qualifications

Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills
Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively in an interdisciplinary team
Commitment to publishing research and pursuing a career in academic or translational research
Experience with statistical modeling, machine learning, or related quantitative methods preferred but not required

Position Description

Conduct full-time research or scholarship under the guidance of a faculty mentor, focusing on adolescent mental health and predictive modeling
Design, conduct, and analyze experiments related to the Duke-PMA project, integrating psychosocial, neurobiological, and clinical data
Prepare manuscripts for peer-reviewed journals and present findings at national and international conferences
Collaborate with an interdisciplinary team of investigators, data scientists, clinicians, and community partners
Contribute to grant applications, progress reports, and other project-related documents
Maintain accurate records of research activities in accordance with Duke University standards
Adhere to University standards regarding human subjects, data security, and responsible conduct of research
Participate in mentoring graduate and undergraduate students, as appropriate

About the Department

The Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, founded in 1943, is one of 26 departments in the Duke University School of Medicine. The department has over 500 faculty, staff, and trainees. Its mission is to help people with behavioral health challenges live their best life through:

Superior specialty and integrated patient care
Ground-breaking research
Exceptional training and education

Why Duke?

Duke University is consistently ranked among the top universities worldwide and is renowned for its cutting-edge research across disciplines. Faculty benefit from a competitive benefits package, including:

Health insurance plans
Generous paid time off
Retirement programs with employer contributions
Tuition assistance for employees and their children

Application Screening

Screening of applications continues until the position is filled.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Duke University is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to providing employment opportunities without regard to age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or military status.

Duke fosters a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging, ensuring the exchange of ideas thrives and all members feel secure and welcome.

Additional Information

Essential Physical Job Functions: Certain roles may include essential physical and/or mental requirements. Reasonable accommodations are available upon request.
Nearest Major Market: Durham
Nearest Secondary Market: Raleigh

If you apply for this position please say you saw it on Psychoneuroxy

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