Postdoctoral Fellowship Opportunity
Adolescent Mental Health & AI (Duke University)

We are recruiting a postdoctoral fellow to join a new NIH-funded UF1 study aimed at improving early identification of psychiatric risk in adolescents. The project focuses on deploying and validating the Duke Predictive Model of Adolescent Mental Health (Duke-PMA) in rural primary care settings to identify youth at elevated risk for developing mental illness. The model leverages behavioral, psychosocial, and sleep-related factors, and uses explainable AI to support clinically meaningful interpretation and intervention planning.

Role:
This postdoc position is ideal for someone with training in clinical psychology, child/adolescent psychiatry, or developmental psychopathology who is motivated to:
• Interpret model findings in clinically meaningful ways
• Lead manuscripts on key scientific questions
• Conceptualize mechanisms and targets for prevention
• Collaborate closely with AI methodologists and rural clinical partners

Qualifications:
• PhD in Clinical Psychology, Developmental Psychology, Psychiatry, Neuroscience, or related field
• Strong writing and publication record (or demonstrated trajectory)
• Interest in adolescent mental health, risk prediction, and/or prevention science
Clinical background (assessment, intervention, diagnostic interviewing) is a plus but not required.

Environment:
The fellow will join a collaborative research group led by Dr. Jonathan Posner (Duke Psychiatry), working closely with investigators across psychology, biostatistics, and AI research. There are ample opportunities for independent research, grant-writing mentorship, and career development toward academic faculty roles.

Start Date: Flexible
Duration: 2 years (with option to extend)
Salary: NIH NRSA-aligned + full benefits
Location: Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC (hybrid options available)

To Apply:
Please send your CV and a brief statement of research interests to Jonathan E. Posner, MD at posnerlab@duke.edu 

Applicants should also complete a formal submission through the Duke University Careers Site

Requirements

• PhD (or equivalent) in Clinical Psychology, Developmental Psychology, Psychiatry, Neuroscience, or related field 

• Prior research experience in Psychiatry, Behavioral Science, or related area 

• Strong writing and publication record (or demonstrated trajectory) 

• Interest in adolescent mental health, risk prediction, and/or prevention science 

• Eligible to work in the United States