Director of Youth Suicidal Behaviors Research, AI Hub

The NYU McSilver Institute for Poverty Policy and Research 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 the Director of Youth Suicidal Behaviors Research with our Artificial Intelligence Hub (AI Hub). The AI Hub at NYU McSilver Institute addresses how AI can impact the lives of people in marginalized communities. The Director of Youth Suicidal Behaviors Research will play a crucial role within the AI Hub at McSilver by investigating how AI-driven systems can be used to equitably address challenges at the intersection of youth suicidal behaviors, poverty, race, and public health.

Reporting to the Executive Director of NYU McSilver, the Director of Youth Suicidal Behaviors Research will lend their subject matter expertise in youth suicidal behaviors, mental health concerns, and behavioral health. They will also supervise the Assistant Director of Research and the AI Hub team, including graduate research assistants and consultants. The Director will also be responsible for study oversight, proposal development and implementation, manuscript preparation, grant writing for national and foundational opportunities, 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 youth suicidal behaviors research to cultivate the creation of inventive solutions and visionary insights on 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. 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:

• Youth Suicidal Behaviors Research: Spearhead, oversee, and execute pioneering research initiatives in the realm of youth suicidal behaviors. Develop research methodologies, data collection strategies, and analytical frameworks to begin to answer some of the gaps present in the field. 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 intervention programs to reduce suicidal behaviors in youth.
• Equitable AI Integration: Collaborate with AI experts to design, develop, and implement AI-driven systems/models that aim to address poverty, race-related challenges, and public health disparities that are associated with youth suicidal behaviors. 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 the director as a thought leader in the field. Publish research findings, whitepapers, presentations and reports to disseminate knowledge and influence public discourse concerning the use of AI in the field of youth suicidal behaviors.
• Team Management: Mentor, lead, and manage interdisciplinary research teams by working hand in hand with the AI Hub team to employ advanced AI methodologies to create novel solutions for youth 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 the youth mental health field to ensure the AI hub's research efforts have a meaningful and positive impact on addressing critical mental health challenges youth and their families face.
• Resource Mobilization: Lead the planning and execution of strategic funding proposals and encompassing the cultivation of internal and external strategic partnerships essential for bolstering funding proposals.

Required Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, Public Health, Developmental Psychology, or related field with a focus on youth suicidal behaviors, youth behavioral health, and or/ public health equity lens.
• 5-10+ years of experience in youth suicidal behaviors, youth 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 being awarded funding for competitive, multiple investigator-initiated or large studies
• Proficiency in qualitative and quantitative research methods and statistical analysis within the field of youth suicidal behaviors including but not limited to: standard inferential statistics, survey analysis, multivariate regression, prevalence/risk analysis, and trend analysis.
• Expertise developing and defining appropriate methods for data collection and processing and appropriate statistical analyses for research questions.
• 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 youth suicidal behaviors 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 or senior author.
• Extensive record of presentations at leading conferences in the field of youth suicide research and prevention

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.
• Some demonstrated experience in machine learning or predictive analytics, data science, and/or algorithm development, MLOps, and conducting research using high-risk or restricted data

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: 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.