Postdoctoral Associate

University of Miami • Miami, FL

1d

About The Position

The Postdoctoral Associate will conduct scientific research under supervision and contribute to the scientific community. In the Peggy and Harold Katz Family Drug Discovery Center, the associate will work with Dr. Tali Elfassy and multidisciplinary collaborators on federally and foundation-funded research in cardiovascular and cardiometabolic epidemiology. The research examines cardiovascular and cardiometabolic risk—including hypertension, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, cardiovascular disease, risk prediction, health disparities, and related cognitive outcomes—primarily using large, well-characterized epidemiologic cohorts and national health surveys.

This role provides advanced training for an individual pursuing an independent research career in epidemiology, population health, or a related field. The associate will have opportunities to lead analyses and first-author manuscripts, contribute to grant development, present findings at scientific meetings, and develop independent research questions. The position involves conducting and collaborating on research from question development through analysis and publication; managing, analyzing, and interpreting complex datasets; applying epidemiologic and statistical methods; and contributing to manuscripts, grants, presentations, and trainee mentoring. The associate is expected to develop increasing scientific independence and, with mentorship, an independent line of research.

Requirements

• Doctorate degree in a relevant field; department-specific fields include Epidemiology, Biostatistics, Public Health, Population Health, or a closely related quantitative field (Ph.D., Sc.D., Dr.P.H., or equivalent).
• No previous experience is required for the core job profile.
• Strong training in epidemiologic methods and statistical analysis of observational data.
• Demonstrated experience managing and analyzing large epidemiologic datasets.
• Proficiency in SAS or comparable statistical programming software, with the ability and willingness to work extensively in SAS.
• Experience with multivariable regression and longitudinal and/or time-to-event methods.
• Experience with causal inference.
• Evidence of strong scientific writing ability, including experience preparing peer-reviewed manuscripts.
• Ability to independently develop and execute analyses while working effectively in multidisciplinary collaborative teams.
• Excellent organizational, written and verbal communication, and project-management skills.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to reproducible, rigorous research.
• Ability to learn new procedures, technologies, and protocols and adapt to changing priorities and work demands.
• Ability to work collaboratively and contribute to a team environment.
• Technical proficiency with office software, technology, and relevant computer applications.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for interacting with colleagues and stakeholders.

Nice To Haves

• Research experience in cardiovascular disease, cardiometabolic disease, hypertension, diabetes, cognitive aging or dementia, or health disparities.
• Experience working with large prospective cohort studies or nationally representative survey data.
• Experience accounting for complex sampling designs and survey weights; SUDAAN experience is desirable but not required.
• Experience with cardiovascular risk prediction, survival analysis, repeated-measures or longitudinal analyses, or related advanced epidemiologic methods.
• Record of first-author peer-reviewed publications.
• Experience contributing to NIH or other extramural grant applications.
• Interest in developing an independent research program and pursuing career-development or independent research funding.
• Ability to effectively visualize data and present findings to diverse audiences.

Responsibilities

• Conduct research on assigned topics and investigate the feasibility of applying scientific principles and theories.
• Prepare research reports and technical papers for publication.
• Develop advanced analytical models and systems and provide analyses and solutions to support strategic and tactical decisions.
• Lead and collaborate on epidemiologic research projects from research-question and analytic-plan development through analysis, interpretation, manuscript preparation, and publication.
• Manage and analyze large, complex longitudinal cohort and survey datasets, including data management, variable development, quality control, statistical modeling, and interpretation.
• Apply appropriate epidemiologic and statistical methods, including longitudinal and time-to-event analyses, complex survey methods, and risk prediction.
• Lead first-author manuscripts and contribute substantively to collaborative manuscripts for peer-reviewed journals.
• Conduct literature reviews and synthesize evidence to inform hypotheses, analytic approaches, and interpretation.
• Contribute to NIH and other grant applications through scientific writing, preliminary analyses, analytic plans, tables, and figures.
• Develop tables, figures, and data visualizations and present findings to collaborators, study committees, and at national scientific meetings.
• Collaborate with investigators, statisticians, clinicians, trainees, and external collaborators.
• Assist with mentoring students and trainees involved in research projects.
• Document analytic decisions, code, derived variables, and workflows, and adhere to reproducible research and research integrity principles.
• Take ownership of research projects, troubleshoot analytic challenges, and advance projects from research question through analysis and manuscript preparation.
• Develop an independent research line with mentorship and pursue career-development and independent research funding opportunities.
• Maintain knowledge of state-of-the-art principles and theories and follow University and unit policies and procedures while safeguarding University assets.

Benefits

• Medical benefits
• Dental benefits
• Tuition remission

What This Job Offers

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