Health Sciences Postdoctoral Fellow

About the University

It’s your time to shine! Work where the world comes to create, discover, and learn. We are one of Canada’s top universities and leading research institutions. With more than 8,000 undergraduate and graduate students, two campuses (Lethbridge and Calgary), seven faculties and schools, and more than 2,500 employees, ULethbridge is Lethbridge’s second largest employer. Faculty and staff come together to contribute, each in their own way, to establishing ULethbridge as Canada’s destination university. In 2022, Lethbridge was recognized as one of Canada’s top small cities.

Position Details

The Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Lethbridge is accepting applications for a postdoctoral fellowship on a research study currently funded by CIHR called Patient Oriented Innovative Nutrition Trial (POINT). The successful applicant will contribute to the development of an innovative clinical trial (iCT) to investigate the comparative effectiveness of a multinutrient intervention for children and youth with Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The postdoctoral fellow will engage with patients, clinicians, and decision-makers (“stakeholders”) to prioritize study outcomes.

Research Project Overview

The postdoctoral fellow (PDF) will support the work of the POINT study in designing an iCT to investigate the comparative effectiveness of multinutrients against stimulant medications, or in conjunction with dietary modifications and/or behavioural therapies for children and youth with ADHD. The goals of the POINT study are to 1) organize a cross-disciplinary team inclusive of diverse “stakeholders” and terms of reference for an advisory group of knowledge users; and 2) design a patient-oriented iCT study that meets stakeholder identified priorities and clinically relevant outcomes.

Position Duties and Responsibilities

The incumbent of this position will, under the direction of Dr. Brenda Leung, be responsible for leading the research activities of the project, including but not limited to the following core responsibilities:

• Facilitate communication and work across the team, Advisory Group, and other stakeholders and organize regular meetings, webinars, retreat(s), and engagement events;
• Assist with developing survey/interviews and recruitment materials;
• Undertake primary and secondary data collection, including conducting interviews (where appropriate);
• Partake in statistical testing such as mediator/moderator analyses of sample characteristics to identify sample criteria for stratified adaptive design; employ statistical simulation to explore multiple arms comparisons: e.g. multinutrients vs. stimulant medications, or in conjunction with dietary modifications and/or behavioural therapies.
• Assist in designing the iCT design, with consideration of multi-arm multi-stage, adaptive dose-ranging, group-sequential (early termination), or population enrichment.
• Engage in knowledge translation activities such as presenting research at international conferences and other events; writing up research for publication in leading international journals; writing up research for diverse audiences;
• Provide oversight on social media, newsletters, and outreach activities;
• Other activities as required.

Education & Skills Requirements

PhD in epidemiology, health sciences, or a health-related discipline within the last 5 years. Training in strategic patient-oriented research (SPOR) is a must. The candidate will demonstrate appropriate and meaningful engagement with patients with lived experience and knowledge users, and integration of sex, gender, and other intersecting aspects of equity diversity and inclusion (EDI) principles, including groups marginalized by gender, experienced racism, persons with disabilities, members of the 2SLGBTQI+ communities. As well, evidence of strong research knowledge, skills and attitudes; an interest in the subject matter of children/youth and ADHD, and clinical research. The ideal background includes mixed methods research, including biostatistical testing (as related to mediator/moderator analysis, multiple arms comparison, and similar approaches) and qualitative techniques (such as qualitative interviewing and analysis). Knowledge of innovative clinical trials design is an asset.

The successful applicant will need to have the ability to work independently, as well as within a team environment and must be able to work successfully within a specified timeframe. The ability to share information in an effective and collaborative manner is required. Proven capabilities to self-motivate, take initiatives, and have the ability to be resourceful, energetic, self-directed, and creative, while generating ideas and fostering positive outcomes is crucial.

Salary and duration

The postdoctoral fellow will be offered a salary of 60K to 65K per annum (depending on experience) and we would like them to start as soon as possible, with a duration of 1 year and the possibility of extension.

How to Apply

Candidates that would like to apply for this fellowship opportunity are invited to submit:

• A cover letter outlining how your experience matches the requirements;
• A detailed and up to date CV (please highlight your publications);
• Details of two referees, including their email addresses.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply. We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Please submit all documents by email to Dr. Brenda Leung at [email protected]