Postdoctoral Fellow (Research Institute)

McGill University Health Centre; Montreal; On-site; CAD 30,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a forward-thinking research institute dedicated to improving youth futures through innovative art-based interventions. This role offers the opportunity to lead research activities, collaborate with Inuit communities, and develop impactful programs aimed at mental health and community engagement. You will be involved in all stages of the project, from designing studies to mentoring community workers, ensuring that the voices of youth are heard and supported. If you are passionate about research and community development, this position at a prestigious health centre offers a unique chance to make a difference in the lives of young people.

Qualifications

• PhD in a relevant field with experience in research design and community engagement.
• Strong skills in data collection and knowledge translation.

Responsibilities

• Design and conduct studies, including data collection and analysis.
• Lead research activities and support community engagement efforts.
• Assist in training community workers and co-researchers.

Skills

Research Design

Data Collection

Community Engagement

Knowledge Translation

Training and Mentoring

Education

PhD in relevant field

Tools

Statistical Analysis Software

Job description

RESEARCH INSTITUTE OF THE MUHC
The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI-MUHC) is a world-renowned biomedical and hospital research centre. Located in Montreal, Quebec, the Institute is the research arm of the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) affiliated with the Faculty of Medicine at McGill University. The RI-MUHC is supported in part by the Fonds de recherche du Québec - Santé (FRQS).

Introduction
Department / Research Program: Psychiatry

Inuit Youth Futures is a three-strand intervention project that aims to promote young people’s ability to project themselves into the future. It is geared towards meeting youth where they are at and supporting them in re-engaging with life through individual and community development with the arts.

Project Components:

1. Establishing an Art Studio for youth to engage with the arts.
2. Collaborating with emerging Inuit artists to guide and inspire youth.
3. Implementing an art-based suicide intervention program based on Inuit knowledge and Arts in Recovery for Youth (AIRY).

Position Overview:
The post-doc will report directly to the PI and will be actively involved in all stages of the project:

1. Building partnerships: Support establishing the collaboration with Inuit community, artists, and advisory council to co-develop the intervention.
2. Leading research activities: Co-leading stakeholder consultations, data collection, intervention development, implementation, and evaluation.
3. Training and mentoring: Support training and mentoring of co-researchers and community workers.
4. Conducting knowledge translation: Co-leading data analysis, supporting knowledge translation and academic dissemination of findings (manuscript preparation and submission).
5. Travel to Nunavik is expected (up to 4-6 times/year).

Responsibilities and Objectives
Research Design, Implementation, and Evaluation:

1. Design and conduct studies, including data collection and analysis.
2. Develop the overall research protocol.
3. Conduct literature reviews and community consultations to inform intervention development.
4. Develop data collection pipeline.
5. Adapt and validate research tools, including pre/post-intervention surveys and cultural adaptation of questionnaires.
6. Document art productions as art-based data.
7. Monitor and evaluate research processes, identifying what works, what doesn’t, and necessary adjustments.
8. Conduct individual interviews using the Most Significant Change (MSC) technique.
9. Take field notes, including observations and participant reflections.

Intervention and Training Development:

1. Co-develop and implement the art-based suicide intervention.
2. Participate in AIRY, OCAP, and other relevant training programs.
3. Assist in developing and delivering training for community workers and co-researchers.
4. Lead weekly clinical supervision meetings with art therapists and intervention facilitators (one session per week, up to two hours) to prevent vicarious trauma and burnout.
5. Support community members in adapting the intervention as needed.

Ethics, Consent, and Community Engagement:

1. Prepare and submit ethics applications.
2. Participate in and comply with the Nunavik Ethics Board process.
3. Establish and oversee processes for obtaining informed consent.
4. Adapt consent procedures and confidentiality agreements for research purposes.
5. Guide community workers in explaining consent to participants remotely.
6. Maintain ongoing consultation with the Community Research Advisory Board and Youth Council to validate research findings.

Team Coordination and Collaboration:

1. Identify and establish criteria for recruiting research team members and community workers.
2. Facilitate and co-lead weekly team meetings (including agenda preparation and student coordination).
3. Participate in and support the Governance, Steering, and Advisory Groups.
4. Establish a process for seeking external assistance and addressing concerns within the project.

Knowledge Translation and Dissemination:

1. Assist in the preparation of reports, manuscripts, and grant applications.
2. Present research at internal, local, national, and international meetings.
3. Support knowledge translation efforts, ensuring findings are accessible to both academic and community audiences.