Postdoctoral Fellow - Vaccine Epidemiology

Competition 1176

This position offers a benefits package found at Postdoctoral Fellows Benefits.

Location - This role is in-person at North Campus Edmonton.

Working at the University of Alberta

The University of Alberta acknowledges that we are located on Treaty 6 territory, and respects the histories, languages and cultures of First Nations, Métis, Inuit and all First Peoples of Canada, whose presence continues to enrich our vibrant community.

The University of Alberta is a community of knowledge seekers, change makers and world shapers who lead with purpose each and every day. We are home to more than 14,000 faculty and staff, over 40,000 students and 260,000 alumni worldwide.

Your work will have a meaningful influence on a fascinating cross-section of people — from our students and community members, to our renowned researchers and innovators, making discoveries and generating solutions that make the world healthier, safer, stronger and more just. Learn more.

Working for the Faculty of Nursing

Dr. Shannon MacDonald is a Professor at the Faculty of Nursing and an Adjunct Professor in the School of Public Health at the University of Alberta. The Faculty of Nursing is one of the largest nursing education institutions in Canada, and is recognized as a world leader in research. The School of Public Health was the first accredited school of public health in Canada, and prioritizes engagement with communities to advance the public's health.

Position 

The Fellow will work under the supervision of Dr. Shannon MacDonald. Her applied immunization research program focuses on vaccine uptake and determinants of uptake, with an emphasis on addressing system-level barriers and supports to achieving high immunization coverage, especially in under-served populations. Her research team consists of a Research Manager, Senior Research and Engagement Lead, and numerous Research Assistants, alongside multiple graduate students and undergraduate honors students.

The Fellow's primary project(s) will be in the area of understanding the impact of the pandemic on routine vaccinations. While this will be the area of focus, there are also opportunities to develop and lead additional work of interest to the Fellow. This work uses large administrative health datasets, requiring strengths in biostatistics and epidemiology. Under the mentorship of Dr. MacDonald, the Fellow will be conducting data management and analysis, interpretation, and presentation of findings (publications, reports, presentations). There will be opportunities for the Fellow to develop leadership and project management skill and participate in grant preparation, as well as to collaborate with clinicians and policy makers as integrated knowledge users in the research process.

This full-time position is available for a period of one year, starting in September 2024. The fellowship includes the possibility of renewal, contingent on satisfactory performance and funding availability. The fellow will be expected to seek external postdoctoral funding through sources such as CIHR, CIRN, WCHRI, and Alberta Innovates. The Fellow will receive a yearly salary ranging between $60,000-65,000, dependent on qualifications and experience, with some extended health benefits, university office space, use of appropriate computational services, and full access to university libraries. An additional $5,000 will be available for knowledge translation activities, including conference travel.

Duties 

• Prepare research protocols, including detailed analytic plans
• Prepare data for analysis (e.g. cleaning, linking, and recoding)
• Establish/manage data files and undertake metadata documentation
• Analyze data using basic and advanced statistical methods such as multivariable, multilevel, and time series approaches
• Data visualization (e.g. generating tables, graphs, and charts) for publication and presentation
• Interpret and clearly communicate results verbally and in writing
• Write and edit methodological and statistical content for manuscripts and abstracts
• Assist with grant writing as necessary

Qualifications

• PhD or PhD-equivalent in epidemiology, biostatistics, health services research, or a related field
• Experience with using a variety of statistical software (e.g., SAS, STATA, R, SPSS) and in advanced multivariable modeling techniques
• A high level of proficiency in statistical analyses with large administrative health datasets
• Strong competencies in MS Office software
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong interpersonal skills and demonstrated abilities as a team player
• Detail oriented with strong problem finding, resolution and documentation skills
• Ability to relocate to Edmonton is essential
• A background in vaccine epidemiology is an asset