Postdoctoral Scholar - Research Associate

University of Southern California • Los Angeles, CA

42d • $70,000 - $80,000

About The Position

The Department of Population and Public Health Sciences at the University of Southern California (USC) invites applications for a postdoctoral research associate position in the fields of environmental health, air pollution exposure science, and geospatial modeling of environmental exposures, including the natural and built environment, and their impacts on cardiometabolic health across the life course. This position offers opportunities for multi-disciplinary collaboration and professional development, including publication, presentation at scientific conferences and involvement in proposal writing. The applicant will be co-mentored by Drs. Shohreh Farzan and Rima Habre and will have the opportunity to work with several ongoing studies and center programs, including the USC CLIMA Center (https://clima.usc.edu), the Southern California Children’s Health Study, and the Maternal and Developmental Risks from Environmental and Social Stressors (MADRES) cohort. Areas of scientific investigation focus on the impacts of environmental exposures, including wildfire smoke and heat stress, on early indicators of cardiometabolic health from childhood through young adulthood. Additional areas of interest may include the joint modeling of multiple exposures and interactions with community and individual level adaptation/resilience factors on health outcomes. This position will require innovative and insightful investigations in these areas, therefore individuals with very strong data analysis skills – e.g. advanced epi methods and exposure modeling/mixtures-- will be given strong consideration. The applicant must have a PhD in environmental health, exposure science, population health, and/or a closely related field and a background in one or more of the following is preferred: environmental/cardiovascular/molecular biology epidemiology, big data methods, geospatial methods for exposure modeling and analysis, machine learning, etc. The successful applicant will be an interdisciplinary, well-rounded and experienced individual who is driven, can work and succeed independently, but can also thrive in and contribute to interdisciplinary, collaborative team settings. Responsibilities include but are not limited to leading independent data analyses, conducting sophisticated geospatial data generation and exposure modeling, assisting with study management, submitting abstracts to and presenting research findings at national scientific meetings, and manuscript and proposal writing in collaboration with Drs. Farzan and Habre. The ability to work independently, to proactively seek guidance when needed and to generate his/her own line of research aligned with Center goals is essential. Specific responsibilities will include the following: Generates scientific hypotheses and conducts data analysis from start to finish Works independently with minimal supervision Writes manuscripts of completed work Contributes intellectually to scientific goals The annual base salary range for this position is $70,000- $80,000. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations. USC will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal records in a manner consistent with applicable laws and regulations, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for employers and the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and with due consideration for patient and student safety. Minimum Education: Ph.D. or equivalent doctorate within previous five years Minimum Experience: 0-1 year Minimum Field of Expertise: Directly related education in research specialization with advanced knowledge of equipment, procedures and analysis methods. Preferred Field of Expertise: Publications in peer-reviewed journals in the same or related field. Skills: Other: Analysis Assessment/evaluation Communication -- written and oral skills Conceptualization and design Organization Planning Problem identification and resolution Project management Research Statistical analysis Skills: Machine/Equipment: Calculator Computer network (department or school) Computer network (university) Computer peripheral equipment Fax Personal computer Photocopier Supervises: Level: May oversee student, temporary and/or casual workers. Comments: A copy of the doctoral diploma or other certification that indicates that the terminal degree has been completed satisfactorily is required. If the doctoral candidate has not yet obtained a degree, he/she should provide evidence that a thesis has been approved together with a documented indication of the expected date of formal graduation. It is the responsibility of the faculty mentor to verify this documentation. The documentation is to be filed with the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs. USC is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or USC policy. USC observes affirmative action obligations consistent with state and federal law. USC will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal records in a manner consistent with applicable laws and regulations, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for employers and the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and with due consideration for patient and student safety. Please refer to the Background Screening Policy Appendix D for specific employment screen implications for the position for which you are applying. We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact USC Human Resources by phone at [phone], or by email at [email protected]. Inquiries will be treated as confidential to the extent permitted by law. Notice of Non-discrimination Employment Equity Read USC’s Clery Act Annual Security Report USC is a smoke-free environment Digital Accessibility If you are a current USC employee, please apply to this USC job posting in Workday by copying and pasting this link into your browser: https://wd5.myworkday.com/usc/d/inst/1$9925/9925$136210.htmld USC is a leading private research university located in the heart of downtown Los Angeles – a global center for arts, technology and international business. As the largest private employer in the city – responsible for more than $5 billion annually in economic activity in the region – we offer the opportunity to work in a dynamic and diverse environment, in careers that span a broad spectrum of talents and skills. As a USC employee, you will enjoy excellent benefits and perks, and you will be a member of the Trojan Family - the faculty, staff, students and alumni who make USC a great place to work. Application help If you need assistance during the application process, see our application help. (If you already work for USC, see Your USC career.) At any point you may also contact our HR Service Center for help at [phone] or [email protected]. Don't see the dream job you are looking for? Drop off your contact information and resume and we will reach out to you if we find the perfect fit!

Requirements

• PhD in environmental health, exposure science, population health, and/or a closely related field
• advanced epi methods and exposure modeling/mixtures
• Analysis
• Assessment/evaluation
• Communication -- written and oral skills
• Conceptualization and design
• Organization
• Planning
• Problem identification and resolution
• Project management
• Research
• Statistical analysis
• Calculator
• Computer network (department or school)
• Computer network (university)
• Computer peripheral equipment
• Fax
• Personal computer
• Photocopier

Nice To Haves

• background in one or more of the following is preferred: environmental/cardiovascular/molecular biology epidemiology, big data methods, geospatial methods for exposure modeling and analysis, machine learning, etc.
• Publications in peer-reviewed journals in the same or related field.

Responsibilities

• leading independent data analyses
• conducting sophisticated geospatial data generation and exposure modeling
• assisting with study management
• submitting abstracts to and presenting research findings at national scientific meetings
• manuscript and proposal writing in collaboration with Drs. Farzan and Habre
• Generates scientific hypotheses and conducts data analysis from start to finish
• Works independently with minimal supervision
• Writes manuscripts of completed work
• Contributes intellectually to scientific goals

Benefits

• excellent benefits and perks

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees