Post Doctoral Fellow

Emory • Atlanta, GA

7d • Hybrid

About The Position

We are seeking a post-doctoral fellow who will work primarily on research activities related to childhood mortality prevention in low- and middle-income countries. The fellow will collaborate with the PI (Dr. Chris Rees) and other team members on protocol development for clinical and epidemiologic research and will have opportunities to engage with data collected in multi-center studies both globally and in the United States. The infrastructure to support this post-doctoral fellow is provided through several sources. The post-doctoral fellow will be expected to readily learn skills in data collection/management/analyses, manuscript and grant writing, and project design/management. Knowledge of principles of public health, global health, and ethical research are required. Additionally, the ideal post-doctoral fellow will be able to interact well with collaborators across the globe, will have excellent English language skills, and good organizational skills. Additional expertise in statistical software (R, SAS, etc.) and mentoring of medical and graduate level students is preferred but not required. Specific areas of investigation in this position will include:
-Childhood mortality surveillance and cause of death ascertainment through the multi-country Child Health and Mortality Prevention Surveillance (CHAMPS) network
-Childhood mortality prevention among young children discharged from hospitals in sub-Saharan Africa (i.e., post-discharge mortality prevention)
-Clinical care guideline development through research and collaboration with the World Health Organization
-Pneumonia and Sickle Cell Disease diagnostics and treatment
-Use of advanced analytic approaches including machine learning and large language model synthesis of data to predict outcomes
Successful outcomes of this post-doctoral fellowship may include:
1. Gain training in clinical, social, and environmental determinants of child mortality. Deepen expertise in the multifactorial causes of childhood mortality by integrating clinical, social, and environmental factors, including cohorts with pneumonia, sickle cell disease, etc. Gain hands-on experience in machine learning and AI-based analytical approaches to identify high-risk children and key modifiable determinants of mortality.
2. Generate high-impact publications and preliminary data to support future independent funding Conduct rigorous, innovative analyses of child mortality data to produce first-author publications in high-impact journals. Build preliminary evidence on modifiable risk factors and effective preventive strategies that will form the foundation for future independent grant proposals.
3. Develop a competitive career development grant focused on preventing child mortality Prepare and submit a mentored career development award (e.g., NIH K01 or K99/R00) aimed at advancing methods to identify children at risk of mortality and designing interventions to prevent mortality, leveraging multi-country childhood mortality surveillance datasets.
JOB DESCRIPTION: Helps design and conduct research within a specified field while receiving advanced training from a designated Principal Investigator to enhance professional skills and research independence needed for pursuit of a career. The specific area of research in which the trainee is mentored is determined by the department and laboratory of the Postdoc. Designs and evaluates experiments. Develops new ideas that promote current research. Prepares and publishes scientific manuscripts under the direction of the Principal Investigator. May be responsible for operation of specific equipment. May teach techniques to others, train, and supervise research staff. Positions are temporary appointments as a research trainee. The initial appointment is for one year, renewal expected if progress is satisfactory and funds are available. Appointments cannot exceed five years.

Requirements

• A doctoral degree or equivalent (Ph.D., M.D., ScD., D.V.M., DDS etc) in an appropriate field.
• Knowledge of principles of public health, global health, and ethical research are required.
• Excellent scientific writing ability and strong oral communication skills.
• The ability to work effectively and collegially with colleagues.
• Additional qualifications as specified by the Principal Investigator.

Nice To Haves

• Ability to interact well with collaborators across the globe.
• Excellent English language skills.
• Good organizational skills.
• Expertise in statistical software (R, SAS, etc.).
• Mentoring of medical and graduate level students.
• Training and/or experience in global public health, global pediatrics, or child health.
• Experience in conducting research in global health settings.
• Demonstrated ability or experience in analyzing large and complex multi-country datasets on child health outcomes.
• Familiarity with ethical principles and considerations in global health research.
• Demonstrated ability or potential to write and publish first-authored articles in peer-reviewed journals.
• Training and/or experience in biostatistical and epidemiological modeling, including linear, logistic, and Poisson regression, causal inference methods, and longitudinal data analysis.
• PhD or MD with interest in global child health for up to 2-year commitment.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the PI (Dr. Chris Rees) and other team members on protocol development for clinical and epidemiologic research.
• Engage with data collected in multi-center studies both globally and in the United States.
• Learn skills in data collection/management/analyses.
• Learn manuscript and grant writing.
• Learn project design/management.
• Design and evaluate experiments.
• Develop new ideas that promote current research.
• Prepare and publish scientific manuscripts under the direction of the Principal Investigator.
• May be responsible for operation of specific equipment.
• May teach techniques to others, train, and supervise research staff.

Benefits

• Emory University offers a comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree