Postdoctoral Fellow - Social and Behavioral Sciences in Cambridge, Massachusetts at Harvard University

The Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health seeks an outstanding individual for a Postdoctoral Fellow position to begin in the Spring of 2019. The successful candidate will participate in a NIH grant-funded project on optimism and longevity. The research involves conducting both primary data collection exploring new methods for measuring optimism (or other psychological attributes), as well as secondary data analyses in large scale ongoing cohorts evaluating biobehavioral mechanisms by which optimism may lead to healthier aging. Additional work will include considering epigenetics and other biomarkers of aging and evaluating these relationships across diverse populations. The Fellow will collaborate with faculty mentors (Dr. Laura Kubzansky – Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Dr. Fran Grodstein, Channing Laboratory, Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women’s Hospital) to explore key research questions, generate multiple publications, and help write grant proposals.

Fellows will be mentored to facilitate transition to independent research careers by emphasizing acquisition of analytic, writing, and other research skills. Further, fellows will have an opportunity to learn from our highly interdisciplinary, collaborative, and dynamic research group that meets regularly and includes leading scientists (and other fellows) with expertise in several disciplines including: epidemiology, gerontology, social determinants of health, social and clinical psychology, environmental health, genetics and epigenetics, biostatistics, natural language processing, and machine learning.

Primary Research Activities (70%).

• General Research Activities. Carries out independently, under supervision, and in collaboration, designated research tasks and projects, making use of selected methodologies (longitudinal designs, moderation and mediation, causal inference), library research (Pubmed searches, systemic review methods), and statistical analysis (data visualization, descriptive analyses, time series analyses, latent modelling, multilevel modelling).

• Data Cleaning and Management. Engages both independently and under supervision in data management and data cleaning and organization in large (N~100,000) datasets, such as the Nurses Health Study cohorts.

• Data/Statistical Analysis. Processes, organizes and summarizes data, reporting results using a variety of scientific, word processing, spreadsheet or statistical software applications or program platforms including R, SAS, Python, and MPlus.

• Acquires Specialized Training. Attends trainings and skill development workshops as necessary to acquire new statistical skills.

• Reporting Results. Submits periodic reports of project status to supervisor, regularly suggests additional tests or modifications in current procedures;

• Manuscript Preparation. Collates, organizes, and/or drafts material for research papers, manuscripts, progress reports, articles or other documents for publication and/or presentation including reference management, drafting manuscript sections, and managing publication submission;

• Data Safety. Regularly monitors data safety protocols for adherence to best practices in the responsible conduct of research;

• Responsible Conduct of Research. Engages in best practices for data management and reproducible research including use of commented code and R Markdown.

• General Support. Assists with project management tasks (e.g. IRB protocols, coordinating with subcontracted co-investigators, etc.)

• Other Responsibilities. Performs other duties as assigned. Provides back-up support to other Research Assistants and team members. The candidate will be encouraged and mentored in applying for early career awards and independent grant funding.

The candidate should possess the following:

• doctoral-level degree in public health, social sciences, or a related discipline

• proof of successfully defending dissertation

• strong research skills, including data collection, advanced analytical skills, and scientific writing

• publication record, with significant contributions to peer-reviewed publications beyond thesis papers

• ability to lead research teams and manage research projects, including supervising research staff, coordinating with administrators regarding budget and staffing, and ensuring research activities meet ethical guidelines

• excellent planning, analytical, organizational, communication, and decision-making skills

1) Ph.D. in psychology, health and human development, social epidemiology or a related field; 2) Experience with managing and programming large-scale data sets, 3) demonstrated ability of using advanced statistics, 4) as well as substantive understanding of the interface between mental and physical health

Interest in and experience with biological data (e.g., epigenetics, microbiome, metabolomics)

Please upload your current CV, a cover letter, one analysis sample (e.g. commented code),

and one writing sample

Maria LoSurdo
Director Administration

$65,000—70,000 based on qualifications and