Post Doctoral Scholar | School of Medicine, Family Medicine

Position Summary

The Department of Family Medicine and Population Health, Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) School of Medicine, is seeking an outstanding post-doctoral scholar who specializes in qualitative and/or mixed methods research. Area of expertise is open, but areas of particular interest include primary care, vulnerable populations, tobacco cessation, generalism, and quality measures. The position provides the opportunity to work with high functioning and highly collaborative multidisciplinary teams working to advance understanding of the generalist function that integrates and personalizes care to advance health and equity.

This postdoctoral opportunity involves a mentored working relationship with Dr. Rebecca Etz, Co-Director of the Larry A. Green Center (LAGC) https://www.green-center.org/, and Dr. Scott Strayer, Chair of DFMPH. The postdoctoral scholar will work on a variety of connected projects while advancing their own personal and professional development. It is supported for a minimum of two years by endowment and grant funds and includes full health benefits.

This postdoctoral position provides an opportunity to collect and analyze data across the multiple projects, leading and co-authoring scholarly output and social media interactions, and synthesizing cross-cutting learning across projects. The position includes opportunities to work with and supervise students on research projects. There also is an opportunity to participate in developing an NIH program project grant application that will bring together three research projects and three supporting core facilities to study the Mechanisms and Possibilities of Whole Person Care for Health and Equity.

Core Responsibilities

• 20% Qualitative analysis. This responsibility includes designing and helping to design data instruments for data collection; organizing, cleaning and structuring of data for review; identifying key patterns and themes within the data collected and providing executive summaries of preliminary findings; lead or assist with organizing and conducting coding of data; collecting data through surveys, interviews, focus groups, or observations.

• 20% Quantitative analysis. This responsibility are similar to those described for qualitative analysis but with specific focus on structured and numeric data.
• 20% Dissemination activities. This responsibility includes generating paper ideas; drafting paper abstracts; assisting with all aspects of producing manuscripts to report on research findings; authoring and co-authoring papers, posters, and presentations; conducts literature reviews as needed.
• 20% IRB documentation. This responsibility includes drafting research protocols in support of IRB submissions; drafting IRB submissions; tracking ongoing responsibilities of the team with regard to following IRB approved protocols and disposition of research related data; submitting updates and continuing review reports as needed.
• 10% Grant writing support. This responsibility includes helping to identify relevant notices of funding opportunities; completing sections of grant writing, such as budget justifications, facilities and environment descriptions, enrollment grids; helping to draft grant sections as requested.
• 10% Administrative support. This includes helping with project management and project coordination; helping to maintain clean communication within research teams; attending team meetings; providing service to the university and department, and maintaining good standing through mandatory university and team-based training modules.

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D. or equivalent degree
• Experience in mixed methods social science or health services research
• Experience defining research questions, designing research studies, and analyzing data
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Experience with scientific writing and publication

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with diverse people in health care and community settings
• Experience with grant writing and IRB applications
• Experience with relationship science or data visualization
• Ability to work across multiple teams and projects

Position is Open Until Filled

This will be a minimum one-year appointment, contingent upon satisfactory annual reviews. Salary is commensurate with NIH guidelines and applicant experience.

This is a restricted position; continued employment is dependent upon project need, availability of funding, and performance.
Full-time employees at VCU have available a variety of benefits options that include group health, dental, life and disability insurance, retirement plans, flexible reimbursement accounts, a 403(b) tax-deferred annuity and 457 deferred compensation plans. Detailed information about each benefit can be found at https://hr.vcu.edu/current-employees/benefits/postdoctoral-employee-benefits/

Virginia Commonwealth University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action university providing access to education and employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, political affiliation, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or disability.

The School of Medicine continuously strives for our workplace and learning environment to reflect the demographic and social milieu of the communities we serve. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.