Postdoctoral Research Associate in Tobacco Prevention and Control

UVA Health • Charlottesville, VA

20d • Hybrid

About The Position

The University of Virginia School of Medicine’s Center for Nicotine and Tobacco Research (CeNTR), within the Department of Public Health Sciences and UVA Comprehensive Cancer Center, seeks a postdoctoral research associate to join an NIH-funded research team. The team develops and tests scalable, community-based interventions to reduce cancer disparities related to tobacco and nicotine. CeNTR works with community pharmacies, Federally Qualified Health Centers, schools, and military and Veteran health systems to reach populations often missed by traditional prevention and cessation services.

The associate will work closely with Dr. Melissa A. Little and be embedded in the Cancer Control and Population Health Program of the UVA Comprehensive Cancer Center. Research spans pharmacy- and FQHC-based cessation, youth prevention, emerging nicotine products, military and Veteran health, and translational collaborations. Projects use implementation science frameworks and optimization designs, combining quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods.

This is a three-year training pathway intended to support the launch of an independent research career. The initial appointment is one year, with up to two additional years of funding available contingent on performance and mutual fit. The position is based in Charlottesville, Virginia, on-site with flexibility for hybrid work. UVA postdoctoral benefits include health insurance and retirement options.

Requirements

• PhD or equivalent doctoral degree in public health, behavioral or social sciences, psychology, health communication, pharmacy, epidemiology, or a related field, completed by the start date.
• Demonstrated experience in tobacco and nicotine control research, evidenced by publications, presentations, or dissertation or prior research work in this area.
• Experience or strong interest in community-engaged research with underserved, high-risk, or diverse populations.
• Strong written and oral communication skills, with a record of peer-reviewed publications and scholarly presentations.
• Strong applicants will have experience in at least one of the following: cessation trials, youth tobacco prevention, tobacco policy, or nicotine product surveillance, including emerging products such as nicotine pouches and e-cigarettes.

Nice To Haves

• Quantitative skills, including proficiency in R, SAS, or Stata, and experience with longitudinal, clinical trial, or survey data.
• Experience with qualitative or mixed methods.
• Background in implementation science, cancer prevention, or intervention research.
• Experience with pharmacy, health system, school, military or Veteran, or rural health research.
• Familiarity with emerging nicotine products such as nicotine pouches and e-cigarettes.
• Interest in digital or text-messaging health interventions.

Responsibilities

• Lead and co-author peer-reviewed manuscripts, with a target of first-authored publications each year.
• Contribute to the design, implementation, and analysis of ongoing trials and pilot studies.
• Analyze data from randomized trials, surveys, EHR and administrative sources, and qualitative interviews.
• Contribute to NIH, foundation, and Cancer Center grant applications.
• Develop an independent line of research within the center’s scientific themes.
• Collaborate with community partners, clinicians, and multi-site investigators.
• Present at national and international scientific meetings.
• Help mentor undergraduate, MPH, and medical student research trainees in the center.

Benefits

• UVA postdoctoral benefits, including health insurance and retirement options.
• Individualized mentoring, including weekly one-on-one meetings, an annually reviewed individual development plan, and co-mentors matched to the associate’s interests.
• Support preparing an independent proposal, such as an NIH F32 or K-series application, a foundation award, or a Cancer Center pilot grant.
• Protected time for independent research, with funds available for pilot projects and conference travel.
• Access to CeNTR team meetings, writing workshops, Cancer Center programming and seminars, and UVA Health and School of Medicine postdoctoral leadership and communication training.

What This Job Offers

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