GFRP Post-Doc Research Associate

Vacancy ID: PDS004986

Position Summary/Description:

The Postdoctoral Research Associate (Postdoc) will work with Global Food Research Program ( GFRP ) Co-Directors, Professors Shu Wen Ng and Lindsey Smith Taille. GFRP research projects include evaluating and informing the effect of food and nutrition policies and proposals using large-scale population-level and administrative datasets on food purchases, prices, dietary intake, and health in the US and globally. Examples of policies and interventions to discourage unhealthy and encourage healthier diets and purchases, include taxes, healthy food incentives, food assistance programs, warning or identity labels, claims, and public procurement standards.

The Postdoc will be part of a highly-interdisciplinary collaborative team with expertise in nutrition epidemiology, food policy, health behavior, visual communications, data science and economics. The Postdoc will primarily work on time-sensitive and policy relevant US research (with opportunity for global work) and will plan, interpret, analyze, and evaluate results using household food purchase panel data, retail food sales, packaged food and beverage nutritional data and publicly available data (e.g., consumer expenditure survey, census). Expertise in longitudinal and other advanced statistical methods is required, as is the ability to develop and adapt statistical models, conducting diagnostics and management of these data. Familiarity with packaged food and beverage product labelling regulations and implications for data quality, methods, and analyses is required. The Postdoc is expected to independently draft study protocols, conduct data analysis with input from GFRP Co-Directors and research team, and to interpret, validate, and/or redirect research methodology, plans, and publications based on outcome of analyses and results. This position may provide time-sensitive consultation to GFRP team, collaborators and policymakers as an expert involving complex data and methods. Additionally, the ability and willingness to work with a large mix of people and work styles is critical. There are ample opportunities for connecting with a wider network of scientists and policymakers and for career development, including collaboration with other scientists in GFRP (e.g., Drs. Marissa Hall, Francesca Dillman-Carpentier), other faculty at the Carolina Population Center and across UNC .

Additional responsibilities:

• Prepare manuscripts in collaboration with our team, including leading first author publications;

• Develop new study ideas and incorporate into planned or new research;

• Assist with grant writing and lead own grant applications;

• Interact with collaborators on research design, implementation, and dissemination;

• Support the development of presentations, policy briefs, fact sheets, presentations, and other materials to disseminate findings;

• Engage with external stakeholders including advocacy groups, scientists, and policymakers;

• Present research at international conferences and meetings, or as guest lecturer, attend research seminars at the Global Food Research Program;

• Support and mentor undergraduate or graduate students.

We are seeking a productive, self-driven, interdisciplinary, and collaborative scientist with documented experience in population health, nutrition policies and interventions, human behavior, behavioral economics, and data science. Applications should demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of social/clinical research principles, study design, methods, statistics and analysis used to identify and communicate trends and develop strategies to guide projects. Strong understanding of the US nutrition and food policy landscape, its stakeholders and the policy process is critical. Prior experience in working in teams, strong communications skills (written and verbal) and leading successful peer-reviewed publications is necessary.

The initial term of appointment is one year, reappointment for a 2nd year likely, contingent on contributions & funding.

Education and Experience:

Demonstrated scientific communication skills and translation of research for informing policy. Prior qualitative research exposure or involvement. Spatial analysis skills. Understanding of the federal nutrition policy landscape, stakeholders and current issues. Fluency in Spanish, French or an Asian language is preferred.