Postdoctoral Scholar in HIV Epidemiology
The Institute for Sexual and Gender Minority Health and Wellbeing is recruiting for a Postdoctoral Scholar to begin Spring 2017.
Position Description: In this position, the Postdoctoral Scholar will predominately work on a study analyzing a large, nationally representative dataset of complex survey data, and have the opportunity to work on other HIV-related evaluation projects. The study principal investigator is located within the Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern’s Chicago campus. In this position we expect the scholar to expand their own domain-focused research portfolio, while simultaneously establishing their reputation as a leader in HIV epidemiology and sexual and gender minority (SGM) health.
The Postdoctoral Scholar will be involved in analyzing, interpreting, and disseminating population-based data within the following 5-year NIH-funded study:
- The YRBS Data Pooling Project (R01 AA024409; PI: Phillips) is a secondary data analysis of data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)-funded biennial Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS). The goal of this project is to use data collected on high school students between 2005 and 2015 to assess alcohol use disparities between sexual minority youth and heterosexual youth across several jurisdictions and years. The full pooled dataset contains over half a million observations, providing a unique opportunity to investigate a variety of health-related nuances. Additionally, in 2015, the National YRBS collected information on sexual minority status for the first time, giving the opportunity to conduct innovative research on alcohol and other health disparities on a national scale.
The Postdoctoral Scholar would be mentored by Dr. Gregory Phillips II. Dr. Phillips is a Research Assistant Professor with the Department of Medical Social Sciences and the Director of the Evaluation, Data Integration, and Technical Assistance (EDIT) research program within ISGMH.
The Postdoctoral Scholar would receive an appointment within ISGMH. The Scholar would be appointed to a two-year term (potentially renewable for a third year).
ISGMH is the nation’s first university-wide center focused exclusively on LGBTQ health. It provides leadership and infrastructure that promotes innovative, multidisciplinary research to improve the health and well-being of sexual and gender minority individuals and communities. EDIT, directed by Dr. Phillips, is housed within ISGMH and the Department of Medical Social Sciences in the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. The focus of the research program is to be a local and national leader in the evaluation of health interventions focused on sexual and gender minorities, with an emphasis on HIV programs. This is done by supporting the evaluation of high-impact interventions targeting populations most at risk for disease acquisition, developing procedures for integrating data from multiple sources to enhance understanding of health disparities and the efficacy of existing interventions to address these disparities, and disseminating best practices and evaluation results to a broad audience. EDIT consists of multiple faculty, data analysts, research assistants, and students.
The Postdoctoral Scholar will play an important role within the YRBS Data Pooling Project, along with the potential to be involved on other EDIT projects. These include a variety of HIV prevention program implementation and evaluation studies being conducted in Chicago.
Eligibility: Completion of the doctorate prior to the start of the position is required for postdoctoral scholars. It is preferred that the candidate has a doctorate in epidemiology, biostatistics, or a related field with priority given to those with previous experience in HIV research, longitudinal data analysis, SGM health, and program evaluation. The candidate must have experience in quantitative methods as well as an interest in applications to health domains. Additional academic interests in HIV prevention/transmission, SGM health, and social/sexual networks are also desirable.
To apply: Postdoctoral applicants should email application materials to Dr. Phillips (glp2@northwestern.edu). Applications should include a CV and a cover letter explaining fit with this position, research experience, career goals, and the name of two references. Consideration of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Northwestern University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. Applications from women, and racial, sexual, and gender minorities are encouraged.
ISGMH Diversity Statement: Northwestern University and ISGMH’s commitment to diversity is critical to our mission of advancing access to excellence in academic programs, world-class research, and health programs. Engagement in discrimination or harassment against any person because of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, military service, disability, sexual orientation, and gender identity or expression will not be tolerated.Through its work, ISGMH advances the health and wellbeing of LGBTQ individuals. Staff and trainees should expect to find a diversity of sexual orientations and gender identities among ISGMH staff, trainees, research participants, and in outreach experiences. We highlight the importance of respecting and valuing this aspect of diversity among staff and trainees.