The NYU McSilver Institute for Poverty Policy and Research (https://mcsilver.nyu.edu/) is committed to creating new knowledge about the root causes of poverty, developing evidence-based interventions to address its consequences, and rapidly translating research findings into action through policy and best practices.

We are looking to hire a talented and motivated individual to serve as a full-time Director for Behavioral Health Research (Senior Research Scientist) with our Artificial Intelligence Hub (AI Hub). The AI Hub at NYU McSilver Institute addresses a dearth of information about how AI can impact the lives of people in marginalized communities. The Director for Behavioral Health Research will play a crucial role within the AI Hub at McSilver which has been established to investigate how AI-driven systems can be used to equitably address challenges at the intersection of poverty, race, and public health.

Reporting to the Executive Director of NYU McSilver, the Director for Behavioral Health Research will lend their subject matter expertise in behavioral health and supervise the Assistant Director of Research and AI Hub team, including graduate research assistants and consultants. The Director will also be responsible for study oversight, proposal development and implementation, manuscript preparation, coordination with the AI data analytics team, and strategic planning for the continued growth and expansion of research and evaluation projects. This role combines proficiency in behavioral health research to cultivate the creation of inventive solutions and visionary insights on youth behavioral health and public health challenges facing young people impacted by poverty. Additionally, the Director will spearhead initiatives to forecast youth suicide rates and behaviors by race, geography, income, and other demographic factors, with further groundbreaking public health research and interventions on the horizon. Additionally, the Director will work with staff and students on research projects and will be responsible for the pursuit, development, and expansion of research-oriented activities with strategic partners and funders.

Responsibilities:

• Behavioral Health Research: Spearhead, oversee, and execute pioneering research initiatives in the realm of behavioral health. Develop research methodologies, data collection strategies, and analytical frameworks. Additionally, take the lead in research endeavors aimed at predicting suicide rates and related behaviors across various demographic variables such as race, geography, and income. Working with the AI hub staff members to leverage AI and data analytics to guide the development of preventive strategies and interventions.

• Equitable AI Integration: Collaborate with AI experts to design, develop, and implement AI-driven systems that aim to address poverty, race-related challenges, and public health disparities. Ensure ethical considerations, fairness, transparency, and bias mitigation in AI models and systems.

• Thought Leadership: Contribute to the development of a strategic vision for the AI Hub, positioning it as a thought leader in the field. Publish research findings, whitepapers, presentations and reports to disseminate knowledge and influence public discourse.

• Team Management: Mentor, lead, and manage interdisciplinary research teams, employing advanced AI methodologies to create novel solutions for mental health and suicide prevention. Cultivate collaboration and synergy between AI experts and mental health professionals. Foster a collaborative and inclusive work environment that encourages innovation and diversity of thought.

• Partnership Building: Establish strategic partnerships with relevant organizations, governmental bodies, and experts in mental health to ensure the AI hub's research efforts have a meaningful and positive impact on addressing critical mental health challenges.

• Resource Mobilization: Lead the planning and execution of strategic funding proposals, encompassing the cultivation of internal and external strategic partnerships essential for bolstering funding proposals.

Required Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in Public Health, Psychology, or related field with a focus on behavioral health, suicidality, and or/ public health equity lens.

• 10 years of experience in mental health program development, policy, and/or research, with a preference for health-related expertise.

• Strong commitment to social justice, health equity, and experience in advancing the rights of historically excluded populations.

• Proven track record of applying for competitive, multiple investigator-initiated or large studies

• Proficiency in qualitative and quantitative research methods, instrument development, and statistical analysis.

• Strong leadership skills, including managing research teams, fostering cross-disciplinary collaborations, and demonstrating thought leadership.

• Experience in building and maintaining partnerships with external stakeholders.

• Demonstrated ability to secure research funding from diverse sources to support mental health research.

• Adaptability, strong organizational skills, and the ability to work independently and as part of a diverse, multidisciplinary team.

• Extensive record of scholarly publications, especially as a first author.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge of ethical AI principles and fairness considerations in AI systems.

• Proficiency in AI methodologies, with a deep understanding of AI's application in mental health and suicide prevention research.

• Demonstrated experience in machine learning or predictive analytics, data science, and/or algorithm development, ML Ops, and conducting research using high-risk or restricted data

• A data science background, and the ability to develop and define appropriate methods for data collection and processing, tuning, and provenance and traceability are a plus. Data science methods that are advancing ethical, transparent, and equitable approaches are a plus.

In compliance with NYC’s Pay Transparency Act, the annual base salary range for this position is $150,000 - $185,000. New York University considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, as well as specific grant funding and the terms of the research grant when extending an offer.

Please note the following:

• NYU McSilver is currently operating on a hybrid schedule of 3-days a week in-person.

• This is a grant funded position with the opportunity for ongoing renewal reviewed on an annual basis.

• This position does not qualify for visa sponsorship.

NYU is an EOE/AA/Minorities/Females/Vet/Disabled/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity employer.

Please include a CV and cover letter with this application.

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