Responsibilities
As
the Director of the Research Lab at Shamiri Institute, you will be instrumental
in guiding and executing a diverse range of tasks that are crucial to the
advancement of our research objectives. Your responsibilities will include:
- Drive Cutting-Edge, High-Impact Research: You will lead groundbreaking research in the fields of
mental health, livelihoods, education, and social sustainability. By
partnering with world-leading academics, you’ll develop a forward-thinking
research agenda aimed at publishing in top-tier journals.
- Shape Research Strategy:
Develop and refine the research strategy to align with Shamiri Institute’s
broader goals, setting clear objectives and defining the scope of research
initiatives.
- Lead and Mentor the Research Team: Oversee recruitment, training, and professional development,
fostering an environment conducive to innovation and collaboration.
- Secure Funding and Manage Resources: Actively pursue funding opportunities, write grant
proposals, and ensure the judicious management of research budgets.
- Ensure Research Integrity and Quality: Oversee all research processes to maintain high standards of
scientific rigor and ethical compliance.
- Foster Collaborations and Partnerships: Establish and nurture relationships with academic, clinical,
and community partners to enhance the Institute’s research capacity and
impact.
- Communicate Research Findings: Effectively disseminate research outcomes to various
stakeholders, including the academic community, policy makers, and the
public.
- Translate Research into Practice and Operational Insight: Integrate research insights into practical applications and
policy recommendations, particularly focusing on mental health in the
African context.
- Incorporate Innovation and Technology: Stay abreast of and incorporate the latest technological
advancements in research methodologies and practices.
- Engage in Advocacy and Public Engagement: Advocate for mental health issues, raise awareness, and
engage with the public to promote mental health initiatives.
This
role is a unique opportunity to lead a dynamic team at the forefront of mental
health research, significantly contributing to the well-being of Africa’s youth
and beyond.
Qualifications
- PhD in Behavioral Science, Economics, Public Health, Public
Policy, Social / Cognitive / Clinical Psychology, Anthropology, Sociology,
or other relevant field.
- Deep expertise in the psychology of human wellbeing, as
relates to information processing and belief revision; meaning-making and
construal; mental models and representations; identity (e.g., stereotype,
stigma); motivation (e.g., self-efficacy, executive function); social
cognition (e.g., cultural learning, narratives); and psychological
well-being (e.g., happiness, mental health).
- Demonstrated track record in the design and evaluation of
psychological interventions through randomized controlled trials and A/B
tests.
- Strong commitment to open science.
- Self-starter with strong program management skills; able to
thrive in a start-up environment with minimal hierarchy.
- Team player with an abundance mindset.
- Preferably, significant work experience in the nonprofit
sector and/or public policy.
- Preferably, significant life experience in low- and
middle-income countries.
How
To Apply