Postdoctoral Associate (63534) - Gainesville

Postdoctoral Associate (63534)

Location:
Gainesville, Florida
Open Date:
Aug 19, 2020
Close Date:
Sep 22, 2020
Description:

The Department of Epidemiology is recruiting for a Postdoctoral Associate, available immediately. The new National Drug Early Warning System (NDEWS) at UF, led by Dr. Linda Cottler in the Department of Epidemiology, is seeking a postdoctoral associate. The Postdoc will assist on various aspects of the NDEWS project, including oversight of the Rapid Street Reporting efforts, the virtual HealthStreet effort, and the COVID-19 supplement to be conducted in 18 sites across the US in year one. This will include coordinating with local contacts at the selected sites, determining locations for recruitment, providing training to local and remote interviewers, and performing quality control on data obtained. The Postdoc will also provide support as needed to the project, and will work on analysis and dissemination of research results.  Additional duties include assisting with communications via the department's website and newsletter.

The National Drug Early Warning System (NDEWS) Coordinating Center provides NIDA and the field with the most timely, salient, and valuable information on emerging substance use trends. Our team is uniquely suited to address the shifting landscape of drug abuse in the US, particularly the proliferation of new psychoactive substances (NPS) such as fentanyl and its analogs, synthetic cathinones, and synthetic cannabinoids. By utilizing 18 sites across the country, our team conducts ongoing data collection to provide an integrated and comprehensive characterization of drug use and availability by synthesizing traditional, indirect sources (DEA, NFLIS, medical examiners, Poison Control, emergency departments) with new, direct sources (drug checking data, Rapid Street Reporting with hair testing for NPS, supplemented with outbreak investigations, a virtual community-based HealthStreet drug user network, and web monitoring via machine learning algorithms deployed to online drug markets and social media).

The incumbent will assist on various aspects of the NDEWS project, especially the Rapid Street Reporting initiative, including coordinating with local contacts at the selected sites, determining locations for recruitment, providing training to local and remote interviewers, and performing quality control on data obtained. This position will also provide support as needed to the project in other areas, and will work on analysis and dissemination of research results.

The Department of Epidemiology (http://epidemiology.phhp.ufl.edu) is strategically positioned in both the College of Public Health and Health Professions and the College of Medicine at the University of Florida. Faculty members are jointly appointed to create synergies and collective strength, resulting in a strong, competitive research profile and highly trained students who receive exceptional exposure to diverse expertise. The department has achieved national leadership in epidemiology education and research. It has graduated 39 PhD students, formed a community engagement program named HealthStreet with more than 12,000 enrollees, and is home to two National Institutes of Health training grants. The department is located in the Clinical and Translational Research Building (CTRB) on the UF Health Science Center campus. The CTRB also houses the Department of Biostatistics and the Department of Health Outcomes and Bioinformatics, the Clinical and Translational Science Institute and the Institute on Aging, fostering collaborations across disciplines.

Qualifications:

• Minimum Requirements: PhD in epidemiology, biostatistics, bioinformatics or a related field
• Preferred Requirements: substantial expertise in computational programming and statistical data analysis, have a strong interest in substance use epidemiology, be highly motivated to conduct scientific research, and be able to work independently in team-oriented projects.

Application Instructions:

Submit an application packet which includes cover letter detailing relevant experience and prior academic record, CV, and contact information of three references. Review of materials will begin immediately and continue until positions are filled.

Please contact Dr. Linda Cottler with any questions related to this position:

Dr. Linda Cottler
Professor – Department of Epidemiology
University of Florida College of Public Health and Health Professions (PHHP), POB 100231, Gainesville, FL 32610

Email: lbcottler@ufl.edu

Final candidate will be required to provide official transcript to the hiring department upon hire.  A transcript will not be considered “official” if a designation of “Issued to Student” is visible.  Degrees earned from an education institution outside of the United States are required to be evaluated by a professional credentialing service provider approved by National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES), which can be found at http://www.naces.org/.

The University of Florida is an equal opportunity institution dedicated to building a broadly diverse and inclusive faculty and staff.

The University of Florida is An Equal Employment Opportunity Institution. If an accommodation due to a disability is needed to apply for this position, please call 352/392-2477 or the Florida Relay System at 800/955-8771 (TDD). Hiring is contingent upon eligibility to work in the US. Searches are conducted in accordance with Florida's Sunshine Law.

#Category=40

This position has been reposted. Previous applicants are still under consideration and need not reapply.