Psychology - Postdoctoral Research Fellow (Infant Mental Health & Early Intervention)

The Early Lab
Location: Toronto, Ontario

Position Overview
We are inviting applications for a Postdoctoral Research Fellow to join a dynamic program of research being conducted at Mothercraft’s Breaking the Cycle (BTC) in Toronto, Canada. BTC is a prevention and early intervention program serving substance-using pregnant and/or parenting women with children under six years of age. Our research program at Breaking the Cycle comprises a comprehensive set of tri-council and Public Health Agency of Canada funded projects aimed at understanding and improving outcomes for substance-involved mothers and their children. Our current research projects include a longitudinal evaluation of program effectiveness and social return on investment of BTC, an investigation into risk and protective factors for homelessness among substance-involved women, and a data linkage project to examine long-term health and mental health outcomes of children. Together, these studies generate critical evidence to inform integrated, trauma-informed, and equity-focused models of care.

Job Description
The Postdoctoral Fellow (PDF) will work in a collaborative, community-engaged research environment alongside graduate students, research assistants, professors, clinicians, and service users. The PDF will contribute to all phases of the research process, including preparing and managing datasets, conducting advanced statistical analyses, supporting qualitative research (e.g., focus groups, interviews), writing manuscripts, and engaging in knowledge translation activities such as presentations, media engagement, and policy briefs. We are seeking candidates who thrive in cross-disciplinary collaborations and are committed to knowledge translation. In addition to core responsibilities, the PDF will have the opportunity to lead or contribute to independent research projects aligned with the goals of the research team. They will be supported, if desired, in developing skills in grant writing, undergraduate teaching, and co-supervision of undergraduate and graduate students. The PDF may also participate in the lab’s professional development activities and, if applicable, pursue registration as a Psychologist in Ontario.

Key Responsibilities

• Support with longitudinal data collection and coding of observational measures of parenting behaviours.
• Conduct and support longitudinal data analysis (e.g., linear mixed models, mediation/moderation)
• Assist with implementation evaluation (e.g., fidelity, adoption, acceptability)
• Contribute to qualitative research, including focus groups and interviews with staff and service users
• Co-author peer-reviewed manuscripts, policy briefs, and KT products (e.g., infographics, podcasts)
• Present findings at conferences and community stakeholder meetings
• Collaborate closely with community partners, including BTC clinicians, service users, and policymakers
• Mentor graduate trainees and support integrated knowledge translation processes

Required Qualifications

• PhD in public health, psychology, social work, population health, or a related discipline (by start date)
• Expertise in maternal-child health, infant mental health, trauma-informed care, or substance use research
• A background in statistics and longitudinal data analysis, including familiarity with R and MPlus software
• Advanced training in quantitative, qualitative, or mixed-methods approaches
• Commitment to equity, diversity, and community-engaged research
• Strong writing and publication record
• Strong relational capacity to collaborate with staff at a community organization and sensitivity to engage with families experiencing social inequalities and vulnerable contexts
• Bilingualism (English/French) is an asset.

Application Instructions

To apply, please submit the following to Dr. Nicole Racine ([email protected])

1. A cover letter describing your interest and fit with the position
2. Curriculum vitae
3. One or two representative writing samples (e.g., peer-reviewed articles, reports)
4. Names and contact information for two academic or professional references

Planned Start Date: Fall 2025

Deadline to Apply: September 15th, 2025 – Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. We strongly encourage applications from scholars with lived or living experience of substance use, caregiving, or systemic marginalization, and from members of equity-deserving groups including Indigenous, Black, racialized, disabled, and 2SLGBTQ+ communities.

Job Type: Full-time

Work Location: In person