"Post-Doctoral Fellow - Dept. of Social and Behavioral Sciences"

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.

Position Summary: 

The Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, in Virginia Commonwealth University's School of Population Health, is seeking applicants for a postdoctoral research fellowship under the mentorship of Dr. Jessica LaRose. Applicants with an evidenced commitment to health equity and interests in AYA survivorship and / or interventions at the intersection of physical and mental health are strongly encouraged to apply.

Primary Responsibilities: 

The fellow will gain experience as part of an interdisciplinary team on NIH funded trials, and will receive excellent training in community engaged research, the prevention and management of cancer and chronic disease within the context of social drivers of health, and design and conduct of clinical trials.

The fellow will receive highly personalized mentorship and ample opportunity for training in grant writing and data dissemination (e.g., manuscripts, community report back events, policy briefs). The fellow will develop an Individual Development Plan (IDP) in close collaboration with Dr. LaRose to ensure their training and professional development goals are fulfilled, and considerable emphasis will be placed on developing their independent line of research. Applications will be reviewed upon receipt and will continue until the position is filled. Start date is flexible with preferred start date of July 1, 2024. 

Minimum Hiring Standards:

• Doctoral degree in social and behavioral sciences, psychology, nutrition, health sciences, exercise physiology, public health, or related field by the start date of the appointment
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills, including a track record of scholarly publications and presentations
• Strong critical thinking skills
• Demonstrated ability to work with individuals across a broad spectrum of socioeconomic backgrounds and lived experiences
• Ability to work well independently and as part of a team
• Must have a demonstrated commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion in past experiences or a commitment to do so as a Post-Doctoral Fellow at VCU

Applicants with interests or experience in one or more of the following areas are strongly encouraged to apply:

• Community engaged research
• Interventions to promote health and well-being for adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer survivors
• Health promotion for emerging adult women
• Interventions at the intersection of physical and mental health, including but not limited to those that target stress, mood, diet, physical activity, inflammation, and heart health

The School of Population Health 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.

This is a restricted position with no set end date and continued employment is dependent upon project need, availability of funding, and performance.

Salary Range: $57,000-$62,000

Position Details:

Department: Social and Behavioral Sciences

Employment Type: PD - Post Doc

Restricted Status: Yes

FTE: 100

Exemption Status: Exempt

Contact Information:

Contact Name: SOM HR