Assistant /Associate or Professor of Clinical Psychiatry and the Behavioral Sciences

The Department of Psychiatry and the Behavioral Sciences at the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California (USC) is seeking a federally funded investigator with extensive experience in services research at the rank of Assistant, Associate, or Professor of Clinical. This position will be of central importance to the exciting expansion of the Department’s research program. A substantial portion of effort will focus on services research for mental health problems in college students, with an emphasis on screening, prevention, and early intervention efforts in the USC student population (My Mental Health Initiative). The program of research for successful applicants should have the potential to integrate with, translate to, or in some way advance this initiative. A demonstrable track record for collaborative, multi-disciplinary, funded research is required.

The Department of Psychiatry and the Behavioral Sciences integrates science, medicine, education, psychology, and behavioral health. The Department has grown substantially in recent years in its research mission, strengthened by its ongoing collaborations with local, national, and international partners. It is an international leader in genomic psychiatry, translational research, health services research, and the neurosciences. The Department has expanded the breadth and depth of the education programming, with innovative leaders in curriculum, evaluation, research, and teaching methodology. The Department’s clinical educators and clinical services are a fundamental part of the academic and training missions, in collaboration with the Keck Medical Center and Clinics, the Norris Cancer Institute, Los Angeles County University of Southern California (LAC USC) Medical Center, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, USC Verdugo Hills Hospital, and many other community partners. 

This is a full-time faculty position with an academic appointment in the Department of Psychiatry and the Behavioral Sciences at the Keck School of Medicine of USC. Salary is competitive and contingent on experience. A generous benefits package includes: Medical, dental, vision, life insurance, long-term care, disability, malpractice coverage and more (information about benefits can be found here); significant retirement benefits (USC makes a 10% contribution when you contribute 5%); tuition assistance for you and your family; paid professional days and parental leave; access to free continuing education credits through our Grand Rounds lecture series; and generous paid time off.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities:

Under the direction of the Chair and Vice Chair for Research, the Services Researcher will:

• Conduct research and disseminate findings via peer-reviewed articles and conference presentations
• Procure grant funding for research
• Participate in fundraising activities with prospective donors
• Collaborate with other members of the Department of Psychiatry, medical school, and university
• Teach and educate medical students, psychiatry residents, and fellows
• Mentor students and faculty members in services-related research
• Clinically trained applicants may be asked to contribute some portion of their time to clinical care

Minimum Qualifications:

1. MD, PhD, or their equivalent

2. Strong track record of collaborative research and peer-reviewed publications

3. Demonstrable skills in teaching and education

Preferred Qualifications:

1. Prior experience working with or researching college populations or transition-age youth 2. Prior experience with prevention or early intervention research and services

Application Deadline: Until position is filled.

Starting Date: Negotiable

Health Sciences Campus 

Home to the Keck School of Medicine (KSOM), the 79-acre Health Sciences Campus (HSC) is located three miles northeast of downtown Los Angeles and seven miles from the USC University Park Campus. It lies adjacent to the LAC USC Medical Center, a primary affiliate of the Keck School of Medicine. HSC is home to the Keck Medical Center of USC – a state-of-the-art USC-owned academic medical center comprised of the Keck Hospital of USC and the USC Norris Cancer Hospital. Also based on the HSC are the USC School of Pharmacy and the Independent Health Professions programs. A new master plan is in the works to build 585,000 square feet of new research space, 157 graduate student housing units and a 200-room hotel, and expanding and modernizing patient care facilities. KSOM is ideally situated in a dense urban and multicultural community to provide the kind of training necessary to meet the global health care challenges of the future. We engage with our neighbors through a spectrum of community partnerships and events that educate, nurture and care for the diverse populations we serve.

The University of Southern California 

The University of Southern California first opened its doors in 1880 to 53 students and 10 teachers. Today it is a world class research university and the oldest private research university in the West. USC has conferred degrees on more than a quarter-million students – leaders who have helped Southern California emerge as a national trendsetter in health care and the biomedical sciences, public policy, economic and business affairs, urban planning and engineering, scientific research, communications and the arts.

USC has become world-renowned in cross-disciplinary teaching and research, has received national acclaim for its innovative community outreach programs and has solidified its status as one of the leading research universities in the United States. Moreover, USC is one of the world’s leading private research universities with approximately 48,500 students from all 50 states and boasts one of the largest international student bodies in the country. Undergraduates can design degrees from over 100 majors and 150 minors. Master’s, doctoral and professional students can earn degrees in over 150 areas of study.

As an employee of USC, you will be a part of a world-class research university and a member of the "Trojan Family," which is comprised of the faculty, students and staff that make the university what it is. USC is located in the heart of Los Angeles, a culturally rich metropolitan city with a large ethnic and economically diverse population, and is close to both beach and mountains with wonderful outdoor recreation opportunities. The mild temperatures along with the city’s average of 329 days of sun per year makes Los Angeles a wonderful city to live and work.

The Department of Psychiatry and the Behavioral Sciences is committed to attracting and nurturing a diverse community dedicated to providing culturally informed, high-quality behavioral healthcare to a multicultural population. Both in our work environment and clinical practice, we embrace diversity across multiple dimensions. We aim to provide a safe, inclusive environment for our faculty, staff, residents, fellows, trainees, volunteers, patients, colleagues, and the multitude of stakeholders with whom we work. Through our clinical services, educational programs, research studies, and policy initiatives, we are committed to addressing health care disparities for historically underserved groups; to combating racism and anti-Blackness at all levels; and to promoting and ensuring social justice.

USC strongly values diversity, equity, and inclusion and is committed to equal opportunity in employment. We prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status, marital status, or any other legally protected status. All genders, BIPOC, LGBTQIA , people with disabilities, veterans, bicultural/multicultural and bilingual/multilingual individuals are encouraged to apply.

The annual base salary range for this position is $125,000-$250,000.  When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California 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, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

To apply, submit CV, cover letter, and 3 letters of reference from current or former direct supervisors that speak to your competency and suitability for this position.

For further inquiries contact: gheidema@usc.edu. Please do not contact the Chair directly about this position. 

Salary : $125,000 - $250,000