Assistant/Associate professor Mental Health Sciences: Urban Mental Health

For the Department of Psychiatry as part of the scientific interdisciplinary Centre for Urban Mental Health (UMH), we are looking for an assistant/associate researcher who will lead projects that combine mental health care with a complex systems science approach. The Centre for Urban Mental is a research priority area of the University of Amsterdam, including our faculty of medicine.

We are specifically looking for someone whose strong research background enables them to support a dynamic and collaborative interdisciplinary research center focused on developing and evaluating innovative interventions to improve urban mental health, taking into account the complexity and dynamics of common mental health issues in an urban setting. You will investigate how interventions can improve mental health in diverse and interconnected urban environments.

UMH aims to improve interventions to prevent common mental health problems and enhance the long-term effects of treatments for individuals with these conditions. At UMH, we investigate why some individuals thrive in an urban environment while others are vulnerable and develop mental health issues. Complexity science is used as the foundation to understand and intervene in the complexity and dynamics of mental health problems in an urban context.

You will study innovative multimodal interventions at various levels (e.g., psychological and/or environmental interventions, including cutting-edge technology) and combine this with current knowledge of common mental health problems (primarily depression and anxiety at Amsterdam UMC). The backbone of the interdisciplinary UMH is complex systems science. We are specifically looking for a researcher or scientist-practitioner whose background will allow them to develop a dynamic and collaborative research program focused on the development and evaluation of multimodal interventions at various levels and the use of advanced technology (digital interventions and/or the use of AI) to innovate these interventions within an urban context.

You are expected to contribute to the Centre for Urban Mental Health through participation at relevant meetings and taking on selected responsibilities relevant to the role, and to be responsible for the (co)leadership of project(s) and delivery on project objectives, maintain an up-to-date understanding of scientific developments within the appropriate fields, and ensure a high level of scientific standard is maintained on all programs.

1. Research (analyses, writing of manuscripts);
2. Applications to grants; recruitment of external funds is expected in this role;
3. Some teaching/scholarly activities (including also supervision of graduate students and other research trainees);
4. Presentations at relevant conferences;
5. Contribute to (the continuation of) the Centre for Urban Mental Health.

We are looking for a candidate who:

• Has a PhD or MD/PhD in a relevant field, such as Clinical Psychology, Psychiatry, Computer Science, Statistics, or Medicine. Preferably also postdoctoral clinical training (GZ, KP, KNP Psychologist or Psychiatry) and clinical experience;
• Preferably has postdoctoral research experience, or equivalent, with proven excellent research results. Postdoctoral clinical training (GZ, KP, KNP Psychologist or Psychiatry) and clinical experience is desired but not required. A commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration in mental health sciences. Excellent communication skills in Dutch and English;
• Has demonstrated experience in writing grant applications and obtaining research grants;
• Has experience in the development and/or evaluation of RCTs of multimodal/interlevel interventions for common mental health issues (anxiety and/or depression);
• Has an affinity with the development and evaluation of digital interventions and/or AI;
• Has experience working with individuals with mental health issues;
• Preferably has clinical experience (the possibility to work as a clinician can be discussed), but not mandatory;
• Has knowledge of complex systems theory and methods;
• Has an affinity with ecological momentary assessment data;
• Has proven capacity to publish in well-respected international scientific journals;
• Has experience in teaching and engaging students in a university environment;
• Has extensive experience in course design and development, preferably within a project-based curriculum;
• Is willing to become an academic mentor for students and PhD students;
• Has experience working with non-academic stakeholders and partners.

A combination with clinical work as a licensed psychologist or psychiatrist within the Department of Psychiatry can be discussed.

• Plenty of room for your drive to shape tomorrow's healthcare.
• Working on large-scale and in-house research, with motivated colleagues from all over the world.
• You will be employed by Amsterdam UMC Research BV.
• The contract will initially be for 2 year. After a satisfactory evaluation of the initial appointment, there is a possbility for a permanent contract.
• Salary scale 11: € 4.678 to € 6.402, 12 € 5.677 to € 7.232 or 14 € 6.786 to € 8.555 gross based on full-time employment (depending on education and experience) and a year-end bonus of 8.3%. Calculate your net salary here.
• Holiday hours: 190,4 per year for fulltime and a possibility to save additional hours.
• Pension accrual with BeFrank, a modern, comprehensible and fairly priced pension.
• For >7 km each way, 100% reimbursement for public transport travel costs and, for private transport, €0.18 per km up to a maximum of 40 km each way.
• Do you prefer walking or cycling? Take advantage of our good bike scheme. Moreover, you will receive a reimbursement of €0.18 per km.

Watch this video with more information about joining Amsterdam UMC Research BV.

You will be appointed within the Department of Psychiatry, but will become a member of the Centre for Urban Mental Health (UMH) at the Institute for Advanced Study at the University of Amsterdam.

At UMH, state-of-the art complexity science is used as a backbone to understand and intervene upon the complexities and dynamics of mental health problems in an urban environment. Special attention is paid to common mental health problems and disorders. Research is aimed at understanding why and when some groups or individuals thrive in an urban setting, whereas other individuals are more vulnerable and develop mental problems. UMH’s approach integrates previously unconnected theories and sources to leverage new points for interventions and policy making at different levels.

As one of the largest research priority areas of the University of Amsterdam, UMH brings unique multidisciplinary research teams together. UMH is embedded within three faculties of the University of Amsterdam and is unified by the emerging knowledge and skills available from the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, the Faculty of Medicine, and the Faculty of Science, together with the Institute for Advanced Study. This collaboration brings together unique multidisciplinary research teams and stakeholders from the Amsterdam region.

UMH is managed by three co-directors, prof. dr. Claudi Bockting, associate prof. dr. H. Krugers, and prof. dr. R. Wiers, and is supported by a coordinator and an assistant. Most meetings for UMH are held at the Institute of Advanced Study in the centre of Amsterdam on Wednesday, the other days are at Amsterdam UMC.

Amsterdam UMC Research BV supports non-profit scientific research. In doing so, we provide researchers with everything they need to excel. Our principal investigators (PIs) and project leaders offer support in the field of project management, finance and human resources. In medical scientific research projects, legal support is also provided.

Watch the video to find out more.

A brief teaching statement and a description of current and future research plans should be submitted together with a curriculum vitae.

During the publication period, applications will be handled continuously. If the vacancy is filled, it will be closed prematurely.

For more information about this position, you can contact Prof dr. Claudi Bockting, via c.l.bockting@amsterdamumc.nl; subject line "UMH Assistant/associate professor"

For more information about the application procedure please contact Chey Edwards, Recruitment Adviser, via c.i.edwards@amsterdamumc.nl.

A reference check, screening and hiring test may be part of the procedure. Read here whether that applies to you. If you join us, we ask you for a VOG (Certificate of Good Conduct).

Internal candidates will be given priority over external candidates in case of equal suitability.

Acquisition in response to this vacancy is not appreciated.