Assistant Professor (Tenure Track) or Associate Professor (Tenure), Psychiatry / SPPH

The Department of Psychiatry and the Institute of Mental Health (IMH), jointly with the School of Population and Public Health (SPPH), in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of British Columbia (UBC), invite applications for a full-time (1.0 FTE) faculty position at the rank of Assistant Professor (tenure track) or Associate Professor (with tenure). The ideal candidate will be a clinician scientist with expertise in the area of mental health systems and policy, psychiatric epidemiology and public mental health.

As part of one of the world’s leading universities, the UBC Department of Psychiatry supports outstanding research and engages local, national and global communities. We create an exceptional learning environment, advance mental health research and promote sustainable care for mental illness and addictions. The UBC Department of Psychiatry consists of more than 950 Department members, including academic and clinical faculty, trainees, students and staff. The Department's medical education programs are some of the most widely distributed within the Faculty of Medicine consisting of faculty appointees and trainees located within each of British Columbia’s Health Authorities.

As an integral part of the UBC Department of Psychiatry, the IMH is home to a community of clinicians and scientists committed to re-examining the field of mental health and mental illness, and seeking new insights into the diagnosis and treatment of some of the most challenging issues in modern medicine. Their activities include building on recent advances in the fields of neuroscience, genetics, pathology, brain imaging, psychology and epidemiology, and translating these advances into clinically effective preventive and treatment strategies, including early intervention, psychotherapy, genetic counseling and medications.

SPPH is one of UBC’s research-intensive units and is home to novel health data platforms for high-impact data science and analytic projects.  SPPH emphasizes prevention, equity, and application of evidence to improve and maintain the health of the populations. The School also provides training for undergraduate, graduate, and professional students across multiple degree programs, including an MPH, MHSc, MHA, MSc and PhD degrees, and a new Certificate in Indigenous Public Health. Faculty members are actively involved in a range of mental health-related research, including addictions and harm reduction, Indigenous health, and mental health and development of children and adolescents. SPPH is engaged in global health issues and in partnerships across UBC, other BC organizations, and international partners.

The successful candidate will be expected to develop a mental health systems research portfolio that will include the ability to provide needs-based planning and implementation research to organizations, Health Authorities, Ministries, Federal Agencies, as well as multi-lateral organizations to facilitate the translation of epidemiological and clinical evidence into optimal evidence based mental health and addictions policies and services. The successful candidate will be expected to develop high impact projects geared toward assessing the mental health and substance use needs of UBC, its surrounding community and across the province, as well as develop care strategies that integrate traditional brick and mortar services with cutting edge e-mental health platforms, including recent advances in artificial intelligence. The successful candidate will also be expected to participate in the teaching activities of the Department of Psychiatry and SPPH, as well as provide mentorship and training to undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate learners.

The successful candidate will hold an MD with FRCPC or equivalent qualifications in Psychiatry, a master’s or doctorate in public health, and have training in psychiatric epidemiology and public health. The successful candidate will have a demonstrated interest and experience in working with government bodies, academic organizations, public health policies and services, and mental health systems. Experience in global health settings is desirable. Clinical experience demonstrating the potential to make a significant contribution to patient care and psychiatric education is required. If appointed at the rank of Assistant Professor, the successful candidate will have demonstrated evidence of ability in teaching, evidence of ability in scholarly activity, and will be expected to provide service to the University and the broader academic and professional community. If appointed at the rank of Associate Professor, the successful candidate will have demonstrated evidence of successful teaching and ability to direct graduate students, evidence of sustained and productive scholarly activity, and must be willing to participate in the affairs of the Department and the University.

Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. A letter of application outlining the applicant’s research and teaching interests, accompanied by a detailed curriculum vitae and the names of four references should be directed to:

Dr. Lakshmi Yatham, Professor and Department Head
Department of Psychiatry
The University of British Columbia
c/o Vicky Yau, Director of Administration
Email: [email protected]
Subject Line: Psychiatric Epidemiology and Public Mental Health

Additional information can be obtained by visiting psychiatry.ubc.ca or by email at [email protected]

Review of applications will begin on December 16, 2019 and continue until the position is filled. The anticipated start date for this position is July 1 2020, or upon a date to be mutually agreed.

The University of British Columbia is a global centre for research and teaching, consistently ranked among the top 20 public universities in the world. Since 1915, UBC’s entrepreneurial spirit has embraced innovation and challenged the status quo. UBC encourages its students, staff and faculty to challenge convention, lead discovery and explore new ways of learning. At UBC, bold thinking is given a place to develop into ideas that can change the world.

Our Vision: To Transform Health for Everyone.

Ranked among the world’s top medical schools with the fifth-largest MD enrollment in North America, the UBC Faculty of Medicine is a leader in both the science and the practice of medicine. Across British Columbia, more than 11,000 faculty and staff are training the next generation of doctors and health care professionals, making remarkable discoveries, and helping to create the pathways to better health for our communities at home and around the world.

The Faculty — comprised of approximately 2,200 administrative support, technical/research and management and professional staff, as well approximately 650 full-time academic and over 9,000 clinical faculty members — is composed of 19 academic basic science and/or clinical departments, three schools, and 24 research centres and institutes. Together with its University and Health Authority partners, the Faculty delivers innovative programs and conducts research in the areas of health and life sciences. Faculty, staff and trainees are located at university campuses, clinical academic campuses in hospital settings and other regionally based centres across the province.

Equity and diversity are essential to academic excellence. An open and diverse community fosters the inclusion of voices that have been underrepresented or discouraged. We encourage applications from members of groups that have been marginalized on any grounds enumerated under the B.C. Human Rights Code, including sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialization, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or status as a First Nation, Metis, Inuit, or Indigenous person. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however Canadians and permanent residents of Canada will be given priority.