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NIMH-Funded T32 Post-Doctoral Fellowship in Mental Health Services Research
Our postdoctoral fellowship aims to produce independent scientists with a solid foundation in conducting research in embedded settings and who can help revolutionize mental health services research through rapid implementation of evidence that improves quality of care and patient outcomes.
Henry Ford Health (HFH, Detroit, MI), in partnership with the Mental Health Research Network (MHRN), is recruiting 1-3 post-doctoral fellows for a two-year, NIMH-supported T32 fellowship to commence in the summer/fall of 2026. Aspiring independent researchers will be trained broadly in health systems/health services research with a focus on mental health conditions and services, including suicide prevention. Areas of particular interest and training will be in clinical interventions, healthcare service delivery, big data, implementation science, comorbidities, health equity, and health policy. The overall goal of the program is to support fellows in the transition to becoming independent mental health services researchers able to pursue NIMH-funding to support research within health system settings.
Fellows will work locally alongside a primary mentor at HFH or the MHRN. They will also receive high-quality secondary mentorship and training from other scientists within multiple formats across the entire MHRN. MHRN is a consortium of 21 health systems, serving over 30 million patients using a common data system, which facilitates rigorous and reproducible multi-site studies. Our MHRN network currently leads dozens of NIH, FDA, CDC, and/or philanthropically funded grants in the areas of suicide prevention, the full spectrum of mental health conditions, and medical and substance use comorbidities, using a wide range of methods and analytic approaches. The participating MHRN health systems also have strong relationships with universities and other academic institutions.
Program Directors
Dr. Brian K. Ahmedani, PhD, LMSW
Dr. Jordan Braciszewski, PhD
Program Contact
Biaohua Yu
T32 Program Coordinator
byu1@hfhs.org
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Application Process
There will be up to 3 positions for the 2026-2027 academic year. Start date is flexible and varies between June 1 and September 1.
Competitive applicants have extensive research backgrounds; previous grant writing is not required, but highly attractive, while excellent writing skills are imperative. Experience in health care settings and quantitative methods are preferred. Applicants should have a PhD, MD, or other doctoral degree in behavioral or social science (e.g., psychology, social work, public health).
Only U.S. citizens, non-citizen nationals, and permanent U.S. residents may be appointed to an NIH T32. Exceptions are made for individuals who have an Alien Registration Receipt Card (I-551) “Green Card. Interested candidates should send following to the Training Program Coordinator, Biaohua Yu (byu1@hfhs.org)
- CV
- writing sample,
- one letter of recommendation
- and cover letter/personal statement stating their research interests and career goals
Documents should be addressed to Brian K. Ahmedani, PhD. Individuals from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply. Questions can also be directed to byu1@hfhs.org.
- For more information about Henry Ford’s Center for Health Policy and Health Services Research
- For more information about the MHRN
Deadline: Materials are due by November 1, 2025.
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T32 Program Structure
Our program places a strong emphasis on independence within a supportive environment. A training plan, completed in collaboration with the fellow's mentor(s) and training director, guides all activities throughout the fellowship. In this plan, fellows identify their career goals, short-term goals for the two-year fellowship to optimize achievement of their long-term goals, and activities to complete short-term goals. All experiences throughout the fellowship are then tailored for their training plan.
Our training program is comprehensive, multi-faceted, and presents information in a variety of formats to meet the needs of our fellows. For example, our program offers:
- Didactic training on Academic Thursday, a full day devoted to training workshops, didactics, coursework, and other seminars that provide a foundation for an independent research career.
- Individualized training and mentorship in grant writing, dissemination, project management and leadership, professional development, and multi-site study collaboration and coordination. Each trainee partners with matched faculty mentors on a grant application and an ongoing project, as well as initiates new research in their interest area.
- Participation in all applicable MHRN health system activities, including the MHRN steering committee, informatics and methods workgroups, scientific interest groups, semi-annual in-person meetings, health system and patient stakeholder meetings, and MHRN affiliated research projects.
A typical week for trainees consists of one seminar day (Academic Thursday), one day of assisting on their mentor(s) project(s) in a way commensurate with their training plan, and three days of independent work (e.g., grant writing, manuscript development, data analysis, and networking with clinical and scientific partners).
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Salary and Benefits
Salaries and benefits will be commensurate with NIH’s NRSA stipend levels and include options for medical, dental, and vision insurance for self and dependents, and vacation/personal time. The fellow will have access to funds to conduct their own research, as well as attend scientific meetings and other professional development opportunities.
For information about NIH Stipend Policy.