Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) is a premier urban, public research university nationally recognized as one of the best employers for diversity, VCU is a great place to work. It is a place of opportunity where your success is supported, and your career can thrive. VCU offers employees a generous leave package, career paths for advancement, competitive pay, and an opportunity to do mission-driven work. The School of Dentistry strives for our workplace and learning environment to reflect the demographic and social milieu of our communities. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.


Position Responsibilities:
The Department of Dental Public Health and Policy in the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry is seeking an ambitious and driven applicant for a postdoctoral research fellow. The fellow will report to and work with Dr. Shillpa Naavaal on various research projects on oral health, medical-dental integration, health disparity, and health policy. The postdoctoral fellow will dedicate most of their time to research activities, including but not limited to project development, coordination, data collection and analysis, developing and applying novel data methods, and helping in writing papers, reports, and grants. There will be significant opportunities to gain experience in research design, conducting health services research, utilizing complex national and large administrative data sets and leading and collaborating on manuscripts preparation for peer-reviewed journals. The postdoc will be a valued member of our research team and will be mentored and encouraged to foster skills to develop into a successful independent researcher.

Required Qualifications:

• PhD in public health, health policy, health services research, health economics, epidemiology or related discipline by the start date of the appointment
• Proficient quantitative data analysis skills and data handling practices are required, including the ability to use survey software and statistical packages such as SAS and proficiency in navigating and maintaining databases
• Excellent scientific writing skills required, as evidenced by publications and/or grant-writing experience
• Should have strong attention to detail, communication (verbal and written), problem-solving, organization, time management, project management, and presentation skills
• Have a demonstrated record of conducting research and working in a diverse environment with the ability to meet deliverables and milestones
• Candidates must have the ability to handle multiple tasks and be able to work both independently and as part of a collaborative interdisciplinary research group
• Demonstrated experience working in and fostering a diverse faculty, staff and student environment or commitment to do so as an employee at VCU

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in development of surveys using RedCap/Qualtrics
• A dental degree or background is not required, but interest in and knowledge of oral health research and preventive healthcare services and programs is preferred
• Experience in mixed methods research

Instructions to the applicant:
To be considered, you must upload your cover letter, resume, and three references letters. As a part of our review, we look for a full CV, which includes all professional appointments/engagements, all post-secondary education, and all publications from post-secondary education and all respective dates. The final candidate will be required to provide an official transcript to the hiring department upon hire.

Hiring is contingent upon eligibility to work in the US.

This is a time-limited FTE position for one year, renewable for a second year based on progress and performance.

Applications will be reviewed upon receipt and continue until the position is filled.

The preferred start date will be September 1st, 2024.

VCU is a great place to work; post-doctoral fellows are eligible for our generous benefits package that includes choices for health, vision, and dental coverage, life insurance, short and long-term disability coverage, retirement planning, tax-deferred annuity, and cash match programs, flexible spending accounts, significant. paid time off, and more. Explore our benefits further here: https://hr.vcu.edu/current-employees/benefits/postdoctoral-employee-benefits/

Equal Opportunity Employer:
Virginia Commonwealth University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action university that provides 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. Each agency within the Commonwealth of Virginia is dedicated to recruiting, supporting, and maintaining a competent and diverse workforce.