The Collaboration for Outcomes Research and Evaluation (CORE) in the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences at UBC has an exciting opportunity for a Postdoctoral Fellow interested in pursuing a role in healthy aging and social nutritional epidemiology.
The Collaboration for Outcomes Research and Evaluation
Located at the UBC-Vancouver campus, the Collaboration for Outcomes Research and Evaluation is a multidisciplinary group of outcomes researchers specializing in epidemiology, health economics, health services research, and pharmacy practice research. The mission of CORE is to improve health-care-related outcomes through the application of the best in research and practice enhancement strategies, as well as providing high-caliber training. CORE has 13 Principal Investigators and over 30 active trainees.
At CORE, we provide robust mentorship for those on an academic track to pursue higher education. We also have numerous collaborations with government bodies and pharmaceutical companies which provides invaluable networking opportunities and the opportunity to gain transferable skillsets for non-academic positions.
Further details on VPC and its research programs are available at https://pharmsci.ubc.ca/research/research-themes/collaboration-outcomes-research-and-evaluation.
Position Summary
Dr. Annalijn Conklin leads a Program of Social Epidemiology and Metabolic Outcomes Research (SEMOR) to support healthy aging in women in Canada, supported by a Michael Smith Health Research BC Scholar Award in partnership with the Centre for Health Evaluation and Outcome Sciences. Dr. Conkln is an active member of UBC several research clusters (BC Diabetes Research Network, Social Exposome Cluster) and the newly created Edwin S.H. Leong Healthy Aging Program, providing trainees with a robust professional network with many opportunities for awards, recognitions and knowledge translation.
Dr. Conklin has received a CIHR Project Grant focused on quantifying the impact of social tie transitions on cardiovascular disease risk factors, specifically obesity and hypertension, using gender-based analysis. The project will use secondary data analysis of repeated measures from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA)-a large, nationally representative cohort of middle and older age Canadians. Methods will include advanced statistics for longitudinal data analysis (random effects models), with interaction terms.
CORE seeks a talented postdoctoral fellow in epidemiology who will work with Dr. Conklin. The successful candidate will work on the analysis of CLSA data at baseline, follow-up one and follow-up two, to examine four different social ties and the association of their changes/transitions with risk of hypertension in aging women and men, in order to generate new gender-specific evidence of key social determinants of health and healthy aging.
The qualified candidate will construct new variables and implement longitudinal models to analyse whether and how social tie changes impact hypertension risk in women and men. A secondary objective is to explore interactive effects of social tie transitions and economic circumstances in relation to hypertension risk. The candidate will work closely with the PI and with statisticians across CORE, CHEOS and more broadly the University of British Columbia.
The evidence derived from secondary data analysis of the CLSA will be the first empirical research conducted in Canada on this topic. It will provide new insights into how the social environments shapes cardiovascular disease risk in aging women and men, which in turn can help inform healthy aging policies and programs to support all Canadians. Results will be used by the aging program of Providence Health Care and CHEOS.
To learn more about Dr. Conklin and their research visit: https://pharmsci.ubc.ca/directory/annalijn-i-conklin
Typical Responsibilities
Integrative data analyses of repeated measures on multiple variables from the CLSA data
Specifically, construction of key independent variables and selection of appropriate modelling approaches to assess the longitudinal association between social tie and risk of hypertension in women and men
Production of conference abstracts and minimum two research papers for publication
Support with future research proposals for new funding opportunities.
Decision Making/Level of Accountability/Extent of Authority
The Postdoctoral Fellow is accountable for the quality and integrity of the research and data, including analyses and interpretation, as well as the effective and efficient management of research projects and deliverables. This position requires innovation, strategic planning, and adaptability. Incorrect decisions or actions may damage the reputation of the laboratory, lead to loss of credibility in this field, and be financially costly.
Supervision Received
The Postdoctoral Fellow will work with a high degree of independence and set priorities under broad directives from Dr. Conklin. This position will also provide the candidate with opportunities for growth in developing multi-disciplinary teams that are project-oriented.
Supervision Given
This position may involve supervision of undergraduate students, other lab members and collaborators to accomplish research goals.
Minimum Qualifications
PhD (or equivalent) in epidemiology, population/public health sciences, social statistics/demography, quantitative sociology, or medical/biostatistics.
A strong background in statistics and medical sciences, with a preference for nutritional epidemiology.
Demonstrable experience managing and analyzing CLSA or similar large datasets is a major asset.
Knowledge of social determinants of health (SDOH) desirable.
Excellent oral and written communication skills and the ability to perform both self-directed and guided research are required.
Must demonstrate outstanding personal initiative and the ability to work effectively as part of a team.
Ability to work effectively and multi-task in a fast-paced and in a multi-disciplinary environment.
Ability to seek out mentorship within the CORE/UBC community.
Experience in STATA, R and/or SAS is preferred.
This position may involve supervision of undergraduate students and other lab members to accomplish research goals.
Application Procedures
To join our team, please email aconklin@mail.ubc.ca with subject line Postdoctoral Fellow in Healthy Aging and Nutritional Epidemiology with the following items attached:
Covering letter
Resume
NOTE: This position will remain open until a suitable candidate is found. No telephone calls or drop-in inquiries accepted. Only those under consideration will be contacted.
Equity and diversity are essential to academic excellence. An open and diverse community fosters the inclusion of voices that have been underrepresented or discouraged. We encourage applications from members of groups that have been marginalized on any grounds enumerated under the B.C. Human Rights Code, including sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialization, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or status as a First Nation, Metis, Inuit, or Indigenous person.