Post Doctoral Associate

The University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing (PI Heinsberg) is seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Associate to join our interdisciplinary research team. Our research focuses on the genomic, environmental, and behavioral factors contributing to complex health outcomes across diverse populations. Current projects include studies of cardiometabolic disease in Samoa and American Samoa, as well as collaborative genomic research on childhood growth and development, adverse pregnancy outcomes, neurological injury, cancer, and kidney transplant outcomes.

The postdoctoral associate will receive individualized mentorship in nursing science, statistical genetics, genomic data science, scientific writing, and career advancement. Opportunities for first-author publications and development of independent research projects are encouraged.

Responsibilities

• Use advanced programming methods to provide statistical and data analytic support across a range of biostatistics projects, both large and small, with a majority focused on genetic and genomic analyses

• Perform data quality diagnostics, including handling missing data, outlier detection, imputation, and sensitivity analyses
• Conduct statistical analyses of high-dimensional data (experience with datasets such as genome-wide genotype and DNA methylation desired, but candidates with strong quantitative skills and eagerness to learn are encouraged to apply)
• Execute regression analyses, mixed-effects modeling, mediation analyses, and related statistical approaches across diverse study designs
• Create clear, transparent, and reproducible R markdown reports and analysis pipelines
• Support data management activities as needed, including:
  • REDCap database development and maintenance for phenotype and clinical data (prior REDCap experience helpful but not required; training provided)
  • Preparation and management of dbGaP submissions for large-scale genomic datasets (prior experience helpful but not required; training provided)
• Help maintain data infrastructure to support advanced analysis
• Assist with and help lead manuscript preparation, scientific presentations, grant proposals, and collaborative projects
• Collaborate with an interdisciplinary team of nurse scientists, geneticists, statisticians, and public health researchers

Qualifications

• PhD in Nursing, Genetics, Genomics, Biostatistics, Epidemiology, Bioinformatics, Data Science, Public Health, or a related field

• Strong programming skills in R, with experience in statistical data analysis (other programming languages a plus)

• Strong foundation in regression methods, longitudinal modeling, and/or related statistical approaches

• Experience with high-dimensional data analysis (prior work with genomic, epigenomic, or other omics data is a plus but not required)

• Excellent communication and writing skills, with ability to contribute to manuscripts and grant proposals

• Flexibility, with ability to work across multiple projects

• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in interdisciplinary research environments

Work arrangement

Hybrid or remote.

Application instructions

Applicants should submit:

• Curriculum Vitae (CV)

The University of Pittsburgh is an equal opportunity employer / disability / veteran.