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Postdoctoral Fellow - Psychology

Department: Psychology
Position supervisor: Dr. Karen Milligan (Psychology) and Dr. Naimul Khan (Engineering)
Contract length: 1 year with the possibility of renewal
Hours of work per week: 36.25
Position type: Postdoctoral Fellow
Rate of pay: $82,000 per annum

About Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University)

At the intersection of mind and action, Toronto Metropolitan University is on a transformative path to become Canada’s leading comprehensive innovation university. Integral to this path is the placement of equity, diversity and inclusion as fundamental to our institutional culture. Our current academic plan outlines each as core values and we work to embed them in all that we do.

Toronto Metropolitan University welcomes those who have demonstrated a commitment to upholding the values of equity, diversity, and inclusion and will assist us to expand our capacity for diversity in the broadest sense. In addition, to correct the conditions of disadvantage in employment in Canada, we encourage applications from members of groups that have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including First Nations, Metis and Inuit peoples, Indigenous peoples of North America, racialized persons, persons with disabilities, and those who identify as women and/or 2SLGBTQ+. Please note that all qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, applications from Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

As an employer, we are working towards a people first culture and are proud to have been selected as one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers and a Greater Toronto’s Top Employer for 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018. To learn more about our work environment, colleagues, leaders, students and innovative educational environment, visit www.torontomu.ca, check out @TorontoMet (external link, opens in new window)  and @ECItorontomet (external link, opens in new window)  on X, and visit our LinkedIn company page (external link, opens in new window) .

About the Toronto Metropolitan University - Kids Help Phone Partnership

TMU and Kids Help Phone (KHP) recently formalized a five-year clinical-research partnership to co-develop innovative and interdisciplinary solutions to improve youth mental health and associated service delivery. The inaugural project will develop a generative AI tool that simulates youth text conversations and provides performance feedback to support skill and confidence development in KHP crisis responders who support youth seeking mental health support. Research Team members include faculty from TMU’s Department of Electrical, Computer and Biomedical Engineering (Lead: Naimul Kahn; co-investigators: Drs. Preeti Raman, Faezeh Ensan) and Psychology (Co- Investigator Lead: Dr. Karen Milligan, Psychology lead, Collaborators: Drs. Colleen Carney, Andrew Kim and Ryan Persram). Executive Directors of Applied Research at KHP Drs. Lydia Sequeira and Sara Shearkhani are co-leading the project. Details about the TMU-KHP partnership and project can be found here.

The opportunity

We invite applications for a Postdoctoral Fellow position focused on Generative AI and Provider Training in Youth Mental Health. The appointment will be for a 1-year term, with the possibility of renewal.

The successful candidate will join the Child and Family WISE lab, directed by Dr. Karen Milligan, Professor and Child and Adolescent Clinical Psychologist in TMU’s Department of Psychology.

The Postdoctoral Fellow will contribute to a program of research supporting the development of a Generative AI tool that simulates youth text conversations and provides performance feedback to support skill and confidence development in KHP crisis responders who support youth seeking mental health support. Working from a Design-Based Implementation Research approach, the postdoctoral fellow will co-lead/contribute to quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods research activities to support tool development and evaluation; support knowledge translation activities, including preparation of peer-reviewed manuscripts (as lead and co-author) and presentation of research findings at academic and professional conferences, as well as other knowledge dissemination outlets; and contribute to the broader research, training, and service activities of the project team. 

This project is funded by Wellcome, a UK-based charity. Details about the new TMU-KHP partnership and this project can be found here (opens in new window) .

Information about the Postdoctoral Fellow Program at TMU can be found here. 

Qualifications

  • Candidates must hold a PhD in Psychology, Education, Public Health, Social/Health Services Research or a closely related field by the start date (Candidates who will be defending their PhD dissertation by December 2026 are also encouraged to apply);  
  • Interest and demonstrated research experience in one or more areas aligned with the project, such as youth mental health; program evaluation and implementation science, therapeutic alliance; emotional communication and regulation; artificial intelligence and digital mental health technologies; 
  • Experience with qualitative or mixed-methods research approaches and working with large datasets;
  • Strong scholarly research potential and a developing record of research achievement; • Strong oral and written communication skills in English. Oral and written French language skills are considered an asset; 
  • Commitment towards promoting equity, diversity, inclusion, accessibility, and meaningful community engagement in research and practice. 

How to apply

Applications should include: 

  • a cover letter describing research interests and suitability for the position; 
  • curriculum vitae, 
  • contact information for three individuals who may be contacted for references, and 
  • up to three representative publications. 

Applications should be emailed  to Dr. Karen Milligan C.Psych., Professor, Department of Psychology, at karen.milligan@torontomu.ca by July 6, 2026.

Toronto Metropolitan University’s commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion

  • We encourage all First Nations, Metis and Inuit peoples or Indigenous peoples of North America, to self-identify in their applications. If you are an Indigenous applicant and require support during the recruitment process, please reach out to James McKay, Indigenous HR Lead at james13@torontomu.ca.
  • Toronto Metropolitan University is committed to the principles of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), and aims to ensure that independence, dignity, integration and equality of opportunity are embedded in all aspects of the university culture.
  • We will provide an accessible experience for applicants, students, employees, and members of the Toronto Metropolitan University community. We are committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free work environment, starting with the recruitment process. If you have restrictions that need to be accommodated to fully participate in any phase of the recruitment process,please reach out to Human Resources: 
  • All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential.