Post-doctoral Research Fellow- Center for Applied Digital Health and Optimization Methods - UTK

University of Tennessee • Knoxville, TN

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Center for Applied Digital Health and Optimization Methods (CADHOM) at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK) seeks a postdoctoral research fellow. The mission of the Center involves the application of innovative digital health technologies (e.g., wearable sensors), advanced analytics, and engineering-inspired research paradigms and methodologies (e.g., the Multiphase Optimization Strategy, micro-randomized trials, control systems engineering) to address complex health behavior challenges. The Center serves as a catalyst for multidisciplinary collaborations between behavioral science and engineering, computer science, and related disciplines. The position is supervised by the Center Director, Dr. Graham Thomas. The postdoctoral fellow’s primary responsibilities and activities will include: (a) contributing to ongoing research projects, (b) advancing the fellow’s independent research via data analysis, paper writing, and grant writing, and (c) advancing Center initiatives both within the University (e.g., fostering multidisciplinary collaboration, supporting the use of digital health technology and optimization methods by University students and faculty) and nationally (e.g., presenting at conferences, supporting national initiatives related to the uptake of digital health technology and optimization methods in behavioral science). Limited funds are available to support the fellow’s research (e.g., pilot studies), training, travel to scientific conferences, etc. Examples of current research projects include a micro-randomized trial to optimize the use of burden-reducing self-monitoring strategies in behavioral obesity treatment, and the application of control systems engineering to build a just-in-time adaptive intervention to facilitate weight loss maintenance. The fellow will receive intensive training in grant writing, with a focus on submitting proposals to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The fellow will be encouraged to prepare and submit a K-series Career Development Award and/or other proposal(s) appropriate for early-stage investigators. This focus on securing independent funding is designed to facilitate the fellow’s transition toward a successful career as a self-directed principal investigator.

Requirements

• Completed doctoral degree in psychology, public health, nutrition, exercise physiology, or related field.
• Experience conducting health behavior research.
• Experience with digital health technologies and/or optimization methods.
• A foundational understanding of the ethical principles and regulations governing human subjects research.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills

Nice To Haves

• A strong record of scholarly publications and presentations.
• Clinical research experience (i.e., experience conducting research with patient populations).
• Experience delivering health behavior intervention/treatment.
• Experience managing and analyzing intensive longitudinal data (ILD) or Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) data.

Responsibilities

• contributing to ongoing research projects
• advancing the fellow’s independent research via data analysis, paper writing, and grant writing
• advancing Center initiatives both within the University (e.g., fostering multidisciplinary collaboration, supporting the use of digital health technology and optimization methods by University students and faculty) and nationally (e.g., presenting at conferences, supporting national initiatives related to the uptake of digital health technology and optimization methods in behavioral science)

What This Job Offers

• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree