(10/19/20) Associate Director - Ann Arbor, MI

The VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System seeks a scientist to serve as the Associate Director of their Center for Clinical Management Research (CCMR), a VA Health Services Research & Development Center of Innovation (https://www.annarbor.hsrd.research.va.gov). Physicians, PhD-trained nurses, and PhD-trained scientists from a relevant discipline are encouraged to apply. The Associate Director is a key member of the leadership team, shaping the vision of CCMR and promoting a culture and environment where all staff and investigators thrive, are productive, and are respected, one that explicitly promotes, diversity, equity, and inclusion. S/he will provide assistance and leadership to CCMR faculty and staff on scientific and administrative matters; oversee the structure and function of key aspects of CCMR administrative operations, including but not limited to assistance in making administrative decisions as to the appropriate staffing and allocation of CCMR resources and developing strategic plans for future research; support effective partnership with VA operational partners at the local, regional, and national levels; and assist with maintaining an active peer-reviewed research program. The position requires a minimum VA appointment of 62.5%, with 50% devoted to the Associate Director role.

Qualified candidates should possess the following qualifications:

• MD/PhD/PharmD or equivalent degree in a health services related field
• Experience with Department of Veterans Affairs research
• Eligibility to hold an academic appointment at the University of Michigan
• A track record of academic accomplishments, including peer-reviewed publications and funding through federal grants
• A strong background in personnel management, including staff mentorship
• Strong analytic knowledge and skills
• A background in administration and/or management of health services research
• Ability to think critically regarding scientific and administrative planning and execution
• Strong leadership, interpersonal, and collaborative skills necessary to foster strategic plans for future research
• A demonstrated commitment to CCMRs core values of service to Veterans, fairness and respect, professionalism, collegiality and teamwork, accountability, excellence, innovation, and lifelong learning
• US citizen

Salary and academic appointment will be based on experience and background. Applications will be accepted through November 6, 2020 though applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. All applications will be handled in strict confidence. Anticipated start date: January 1, 2021.

To apply, please send cover letter and CV to: Fatima Makki, MPH, MSW at Fatima.Makki@va.gov

The Center for Clinical Management Research (CCMR) is one of 18 Health Services Research and Development (HSR&D) Centers of Innovation (COIN) supported by the Department of Veterans Affairs. The foci of CCMR are (1) To promote personalized, appropriate, and efficient care by integrating the routine use of digital data into day-to-day care delivery through innovations in data collection, measurement, and analysis; (2) To develop, implement, and evaluate systems-based approaches to improve safety and outcomes for our most vulnerable, high-risk, and complex patients; and (3) To develop innovative approaches for improving patient engagement in the prevention and management of chronic conditions. CCMR is affiliated with and works closely with investigators from the University of Michigan Schools of Public Health, Nursing, and Medicine, as well as the Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation. Staffing for CCMR includes PhD, physician, and nursing investigators, statisticians, programmers, project managers, research assistants, and administrative staff. Including core, project and affiliated individuals, CCMR has over 120 staff engaged in over 70 research projects, with annual funding of $18 million from VA as well as other federal and non-federal sources. The Center also provides training to health services researchers at both the pre- and post- doctoral levels. CCMR’s offices are located at the University of Michigan’s North Campus Research Complex (NCRC). The Department of Veterans Affairs is an equal opportunity employer.

(10/07/20) Assistant, Associate, or Full Professor in the Research Scholar Track (Non-Tenure), Implementation Science - Providence, RI

The Center for Gerontology & Healthcare Research at Brown University invites applications for a new research faculty position in implementation and dissemination science at the Assistant, Associate, or Full Professor level. The non-tenure track, academic appointment will be to the Department of Health Services, Policy & Practice.

Review of applications will begin on 12/1/2020 and will continue until an appropriate candidate is identified or the search is closed.

See https://apply.interfolio.com/79452 for details.

(10/06/20) Research Project Coordinator (Pain/Opioid Consortium of Research) - Minneapolis, MN

The Minneapolis VA Center for Care Delivery and Outcomes Research (CCDOR) seeks a full-time Research Project Coordinator for a new national research network, the VA Health Services Research and Development (HSR&D) Pain/Opioid COnsortium of REsearch (CORE). The overall goal of the Pain/Opioid CORE is to foster high-quality Veteran-centered research to improve care for Veterans with chronic pain and reduce harms related to opioid prescribing and opioid use disorders. The Pain/Opioid CORE supports a network of researchers and promotes interdisciplinary, cross-institutional research collaborations.

The CORE is led by three co-principal investigators (co-PIs) with operations based at the Minneapolis VA (Dr. Erin Krebs) and Connecticut VA (Drs. Alicia Heapy and Will Becker) and has an organizational structure that includes an Internal Leadership Committee involving additional researchers, a Veteran Engagement Group involving patient partners, and a Partners Committee involving VA stakeholders. The Research Project Coordinator will be based in CCDOR within the Minneapolis VA Health Care System. CCDOR is a VA HSR&D Center of Innovation that is affiliated with the University of Minnesota Schools of Medicine and Public Health and supports approximately 80 funded projects with an annual budget of more than $10 million.

POSITION DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

The successful applicant will work collaboratively with the CORE co-PIs and with a second CORE Coordinator located at the Connecticut VA. The Minneapolis CORE coordinator will be the primary liaison for the 12-member Veteran Engagement Panel (VEP), which will include facilitating VEP meetings, coordinating VEP activities, and overseeing evaluation of VEP outcomes. CORE coordinators have a major role in translating scientific evidence for diverse audiences, including drafting dissemination and communication materials, reports, white papers, and other products for refinement and final approval by the CORE PIs. They will prepare solicitations for Rapid Pilot funding proposals, coordinate the proposal review process, and manage follow-up reporting by funded investigators. They will contribute to developing networks and will facilitate communication among CORE leadership entities, stakeholders, and the public. They will assist with developing reports for funding and regulatory agencies. The Minneapolis CORE Coordinator will work under the direct supervision of Dr. Krebs, the Minneapolis VA PI, and the ultimate direction of all three CORE PIs. Opportunities for independent or mentored research may be available for qualified applicants.

Additional duties and responsibilities include:

1. Participate in developing website content.
2. Assist with and potentially lead proposals for research funding.
3. Support and train others in engagement, communication, dissemination, or related skills.
4. Participate in planning meetings (virtual or face-to-face).
5. Provide technical consultation for investigators and others.
6. Draft Institutional Review Board documents.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• PhD in health services research, epidemiology, public health, health sciences or related field.
• Demonstrated skill in study coordination, project management, or administrative work.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, with experience writing manuscripts, reports, and presentations for academic and other audiences.
• Experience with literature review or critical assessment of scientific reports.

• Strong organizational and creative problem-solving skills, experience managing multiple tasks and project elements with accuracy and attention to detail.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, desire to work collaboratively with diverse individuals and teams.
• Experience with Microsoft Office including Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Excel as well as virtual meeting platforms (e.g. Teams, Zoom, WEBEX).
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• U.S. Citizen

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Knowledge of clinical, health care services, or public health aspects of chronic pain, opioid prescribing, or opioid use disorders.
• Experience translating and presenting scientific or technical results for dissemination to patient, community, or stakeholder audiences.
• Experience working with Veterans or patients in a health care setting or with community engagement.
• Experience with or interest in website design and maintenance.
• Experience with research methods, such as qualitative data collection and analysis, statistical analysis using software such as SAS or Stata, survey and measurement, and/or systematic review and meta-analysis.
• Experience planning meetings and facilitating groups, committees, teams, or other initiatives of diverse, multidisciplinary, or varied members.
• Experience leading or collaborating on research studies in health-related areas, such as adult primary care, health promotion, disease prevention, complex care interventions, social determinants of health, implementation science, health care delivery.

COMPENSATION

• GS-11 Health Science Specialist position with a salary range starting at $68,817.

• Highly qualified and experienced candidates will be considered at a higher GS level.

• Position is eligible for full benefits.
• Position will be funded full-time, with an initial appointment of 13 months, and is renewable pending performance review.

Work Days: full-time, work schedule to be negotiated to include on-site (at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center) and telework.

Application Instructions:

To be considered for this position, please submit the following documents to Dr. Erin Krebs (Erin.Krebs@va.gov ) by October 29.

1. CV/resume
2. Cover letter
3. All educational transcripts (unofficial transcripts are acceptable). Your degree must be conferred on your transcripts.
4. References

Expected start date is January/February 2021.

The VA is an Equal Opportunity Employer

(10/01/20) Administrative Officer (Research) - Columbia, SC

This position is established within the Office of the Associate Chief of Staff for Medical Research Service. The Administrative Officer is responsible for planning, developing and directing the complex administrative activities of WJB Dom VAMC medical research program.

Closing date: 10/21/2020

See https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/580403200 for details.

(09/23/20) Biological Science Technician (Lab Manager) -GS9 - Boston, MA

A position for a GS9 Biological Science Technician (Lab Manager) has been opened in the laboratory of Dr. Stelios Smirnakis, Associate Professor of Neurology at the VA Boston Healthcare System VABHS, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School. The Smirnakis laboratory focuses on the study of neural circuit function in health and disease using approaches ranging from classical extracellular electrophysiology, to in vivo whole-cell patching, to optical (2-photon) imaging in mouse models of disease.

The expectation is that the person hired will be able to work independently under the PI's supervision to take care of the day to day running of the laboratory including orientation and training of new staff, maintaining the laboratory in good order, ordering supplies , maintaining mouse colonies, keeping in compliance with safety regulations, maintaining IACUC/IRB protocols, performing/overseeing basic molecular biology and in vivo microscopy experiments, and ensuring quality control.

The candidate should have significant prior experience to be able to follow and execute experimental protocols involving a variety of basic molecular biology and in vivo optical microscopy techniques at a professional level. They should be able to troubleshoot and fine-tune new experimental approaches and implement modification of existing techniques, if appropriate. In collaboration with other members of the research team, they will be expected to give input/advice to the development of new protocols. Desired analytical skills involve being comfortable with performing data analysis using basic statistical techniques. Depending on experience the candidate may serve in a supervisory role for junior members of the laboratory. If desired, the candidate will be given the opportunity to develop their own project in consultation with the PI.

If interested, please contact Wanda Atkins at Wanda.Atkins@va.gov.

(09/18/20) Assistant/Associate Professor  in Health Services Research - New Orleans, LA

The LSU School of Medicine of the LSU Health Sciences Center is accepting applications for an academic faculty member to be appointed at the rank of Assistant or Associate Professor of Research. The incumbent will lead and collaborate on health services research in areas related to mental health, access to care, and population health, with a primary appointment to the Section on Community and Population Medicine at LSU School of Medicine and a secondary appointment to the South Central Mental Illness, Research, Education, and Clinical Center (MIRECC) at the Southeast Louisiana Veterans Healthcare System. This Assistant/Associate Professor – Research position will report to the Section Chief of Community and Population Medicine.

The incumbent will conduct the following specific essential duties:

• Lead and collaborate on research related to one or more of the following priority areas: mental health; suicide prevention; homelessness; access to care; rural health; women’s health; opioid use disorder and pain treatment; population and whole health, including integrative medicine and patient-centered care; disability; individual and community mental health resilience; and health equity, including interventions for minority, underserved, or special populations and social determinants of health.
• Develop, implement, and oversee research and quality improvement projects using epidemiological and/or community-engaged approaches, and quantitative, qualitative, or mixed-methods research approaches.
• Publish, communicate, summarize, and disseminate research findings in print, online, video, or oral formats as assigned
• Manage staff, students, or others as needed; conduct oversight of human subject protections/processes for projects as needed

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Doctorate in public health, psychology, social work, epidemiology, or related social sciences (e.g., anthropology, sociology)
• 2+ years' experience in public, government and/or academic settings conducting relevant research (5+ years’ experience preferred)
• Works well independently and as part of a team;
• History of working independently;
• Demonstrated experience in handling confidential and sensitive information;
• Demonstrated experience in networking and working with diverse groups of people to solve common problems;
• Ability to hold joint appointment at LSU and the Department of Veterans Affairs through a Memorandum of Understanding.
• Successful history of independent funding, including funding through VA and/or DoD preferred.

APPLICANT INSTRUCTIONS:

Qualified applicants must submit a cover letter, current curriculum vitae, which includes previous and current experience and contact information for 3-4 professional references.

ADDITIONAL POSITION INFORMATION:

LSUHSC offers a competitive salary and benefit package. Primary appointment will be at LSU with a secondary appointment will be at the Department of Veterans Affairs. Eligible relocation costs may be covered.

Position will remain open until filled.

 The LSUHSC School of Medicine in New Orleans encourages women and minority candidates to submit applications for this position.

LSUHSC is an Equal Opportunity Employer for females, minorities, individuals with disabilities and protected veterans.

Apply Online

QUESTIONS:

For questions, please contact Dr. Gala True at Jennifer.True2@va.gov .  

(09/09/20) Senior Faculty: Health Services Research - Houston, TX

IQuESt (a collaborative center of health services research between the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center and Baylor College of Medicine) is seeking Senior Faculty in Health Services Research to join a grant-supported, multidisciplinary research team that is nationally recognized for work in patient safety, behavioral health, quality improvement, implementation science and population health. We value diversity; individuals from groups traditionally under-represented in health services research are encouraged to apply and contribute to our collegial environment and culture of learning and celebrating differences.

The applicant will be expected to contribute to the research areas of this multidisciplinary team and will be a full-time faculty member; appointment and salary commensurate with experience. Applicants with current federal funding preferred. If relevant, up to 25% of time could be used for clinical activities.

Visit our website: http://www.houston.hsrd.research.va.gov

Qualifications

• An MD or PhD is required
• Must have a record of research in one or more of the relevant areas such as:
  • implementation science
  • health services/systems research
  • health economics
  • improvement science
  • informatics
  • patient safety improvement
• Must be able to compete for external funding (i.e. NIH, VA, AHRQ)
• Must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident

Interested candidates should submit a current curriculum vitae and cover letter to:

Ms. Shannon Kenyon, Chief of Operations IQuESt 2450 Holcombe Blvd, Suite 01Y Houston, TX 77021
shannon.kenyon@bcm.edu

(09/02/20) Health Services Research Analyst - Portland, OR

Expected Starting Salary: $68,309 to $81,875 + benefits, depending on education and experience

FTE: 1.0

Remote/Work From Home: Possible

Position Summary

Under the supervision of the Director and/or Associate Director of the VA Center to Improve Veteran Involvement in Care (CIVIC), Co-Directors of the Veterans Rural Health Resource Center - Portland (VRHRC-P), and Principal Investigators (PIs), the Analyst serves multiple transdisciplinary studies intended to advance the scientific understanding of common and important health care problems and conditions that affect Veterans. Current research includes projects related to Veteran-centric mental health care, suicide prevention, chronic pain, strategies to enhance Veteran-clinician collaboration, understanding challenges faced by Veterans in rural areas, and identifying disparities in the availability of care to rural Veterans.

Responsibilities

This position requires a diverse knowledge of healthcare analysis, technical expertise, effective and flexible interpersonal skills (consultation, training, team leading, networking), and analytical skills. The primary responsibilities for this position are data extraction, analysis, and interpretation in health services research.

The Health Services Research Analyst will also:

• Identify, extract, and analyze VA hospital and patient record data using VA research databases;
• Use structured query language (SQL) to identify and extract data, including experience querying data from multiple tables using joins and grouping data;
• Serve as liaison between VA research data hosts, especially the VA Informatics and Computing Infrastructure (VINCI), and the Director and PIs;
• Ensure accuracy of data from all sources;
• Use statistical software (SAS, STATA, R, or SPSS) to manipulate and format health care data and produce analysis-ready datasets to address the information needs of the Directors and PIs;
• Conduct descriptive and inferential analyses as appropriate to level of training and experience; and
• Document and present data identification, extraction, analysis, and data summaries to the Directors and PIs and for inclusion in reports, grants, and manuscripts.

Experience

Minimum qualifications:

• Master’s degree (or higher) in a related field; and
• One to three years of experience and training, including:
  • Collecting, organizing and analyzing data from large clinical datasets, such as hospital and patient record data (e.g. VA administrative datasets, Medicare data, etc.);
  • Using statistical software and Excel to store, clean, validate, and analyze data;
  • Documenting and presenting data identification, extraction, analysis, and findings to those at the Director/PI level using different presentation software mediums (i.e., Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Ability to write, as well as contribute to, scholarly manuscripts for scientific journals and presentations of study findings at professional meetings:
  • Write reports that summarize data methodology and communicate findings.
• Attention to detail and record keeping, ability to organize large sets of data from multiple sources, and ability to multitask and prioritize projects, and have strong conceptual and analytical skills; and
• Ability to work independently.

Best qualified candidates will have:

• Experience working with health care system data;
• Experience working on multiple prior research studies as a program analyst, programmer, data analyst, or similar position that required work with large health/medical datasets;
• Experience using SQL Server, including Transact-SQL statements, with health/medical data;
• Experience with database design, creation, and querying in Microsoft Access; and
• Experience using SAS, R, or other statistical software.

Preference given to candidates demonstrating experience working in health services research, having knowledge of VA policies, procedures, data sources, and care delivery settings, and/or experience analyzing healthcare data.

Candidates must be US citizens.

Interested candidates should send a cover letter and resume/CV to Beau Edwards at Beau.Edwards@va.gov.

(08/31/20) Health Sciences Research Project Manager for Multi-Site Study, CSP #2028: EPIC³ - Seattle, WA

Are you interested in helping to improve the health and healthcare of our United States Veterans through meaningful work in a collaborative environment? The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Cooperative Studies Program (CSP) is a nationally renowned program that produces innovative solutions to Veteran and national healthcare problems through multi-site research studies.

The VA CSP Seattle Epidemiologic Research and Information Center (ERIC) is hiring a full-time Project Manager. Under the direction of the Program Manager, the Project Manager will provide leadership for a multi-site observational study titled, CSP #2028: Epidemiology, Immunology, and Clinical Characteristics of COVID-19 (EPIC³) within the Veterans Health Administration. This position is based in Seattle, WA.

The aim of the study is to gather longitudinal data on the epidemiology, virology, immunology, and clinical characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 infections and the COVID-19 disease to answer key research questions about their natural history and clinical outcomes, and to better anticipate and manage pandemics in the future for Veterans Health Administration (VHA) users and the general population. The role of the Seattle ERIC is to provide overall research operations and coordination of the study for all study sites nationwide.

The Project Manager will provide operational support under the direction of the Study Program Manager.

Key duties:

• Work closely with Study Co-Chairs and Investigators to advance scientific aims and study objectives
• Serve as liaison between the study coordinating center and site Investigators, site personnel, central laboratory personnel, consultants, and contractors
• Manage research operations activities for study sites, including tracking site personnel and managing site staff permissions to study folders and databases
• Manage and maintain the Study Operations Manual
• Manage regulatory processes, including completing R&D and IRB documentation and preparing for audits
• Maintain the study SharePoint site, manage site permissions, and upload study documentation
• Design and develop standard operating procedures, databases, and study materials; maintain and troubleshoot tracking infrastructures
• Virtually train study site personnel on operational procedures and protocols including participant tracking measures
• Monitor subject recruitment and data collection activities at sites, identify deficiencies, recommend solutions, and take corrective action when required
• Oversee data management and quality assurance/quality control procedures
• Ensure compliance with study protocol, including informed consent, safety, and data security requirements
• Prepare reports, presentations, and data summaries, and organize national meetings
• Supervise Study Research Coordinators and Research Assistants

Qualifications:

• BA/BS or higher degree in a scientific- or health-related field required; Master’s level degree preferred
• 4-6 years of work experience in clinical, epidemiological, or health services research required; several years of experience managing high visibility research studies/initiatives preferred
  • If BA/BS, 5-6 years of research-related experience required
  • If higher degree, 4-5 years of research-related experience preferred
• Experience with customer service, particularly by telephone
• Self-starter with demonstrated ability to effectively lead and manage complex projects
• Experience building internal tracking systems that support attention to detail and quality control
• Ability to understand and clearly communicate complex regulations and procedures
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate with a diverse group of people with a wide range of professional backgrounds and expertise
• Ability to adapt to evolving and competing priorities and timelines
• Adept in troubleshooting and problem-solving
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office programs (e.g., Word, Excel, Outlook) required; experience with Microsoft Access, Microsoft SharePoint and REDCap programs preferred

About the Seattle ERIC and VA CSP:

The Seattle ERIC is a research center within the VA Puget Sound Health Care System that works to improve the health and healthcare of Veterans through epidemiologic research. We are part of the VA CSP, a national VA research group of 12 epidemiology and clinical trial research centers.

Learn more at:

• Seattle ERIC website: https://www.seattle.eric.research.va.gov/
• VA CSP website: https://www.vacsp.research.va.gov/

Application information:

Candidates must be U.S. citizens. Education and experience will be evaluated by Human Resources to determine if the top candidate meets the criteria for the targeted GS-11. The General Schedule (GS) salary table for Seattle can be found on the Office of Personnel Management website at opm.gov.

Please send a cover letter and resume to SeattleCSPEC@va.gov. Resumes must detail whether employment was full- or part-time and paid or unpaid. Applications that include unofficial degree transcripts may be considered first. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled; however, materials received by 09/11/20 will be considered first. Applications received without a cover letter will not be considered.

(08/28/20) Health Sciences Researcher – Data Scientist/Statistician - San Francisco, CA

The National VA Measurement Science Quality Enhancement Research Initiative (QUERI), located at the San Francisco VA, Department of Veterans Affairs, is recruiting a data scientist/biostatistician to conduct clinical research studies using data from the Department of Veterans Affairs Clinical Data Warehouse (CDW), the Center for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) claims files, and various local and multi-site research projects. The incumbent will be responsible for, and critically important to, the overall management of a variety of collaborative research projects associated with electronic health record data extraction and analysis. The position is located at the San Francisco VA Medical Center.

Primary responsibilities

• Collaborate with principal investigators and staff to develop research study design and identify key data elements from VA data sources and CMS
• Perform analytics in large-scale datasets
• Use programming tools of SQL, Python, Scala, and machine learning to design complex data extract systems and write supporting documentation
• Create and merge datasets from raw data and write data analysis programs using Stata, SAS, and/or R
• Manage, administer, and ensure data quality, security, and maintenance of data files and database systems from current and past studies
• Independently determine and conduct the appropriate statistical methods to answer research questions
• Supervise data analysts and provide education and guidance to more junior statisticians, validate study data, and troubleshoot any issues uncovered by staff
• Contribute to publications and grant applications, prepare project reports and data presentations
• Assist investigators with regulatory requirements

Qualifications

• BS or MS in statistics, epidemiology, mathematics, or related field
• Proficient in SAS, Stata, and/or R
• Proficient in SQL, Python, and/or Scala
• Experience with a wide range of statistical methods including multivariable linear and logistic regression, GEE and linear mixed models, survival analysis, propensity score methods, multiple imputation, repeated measures analyses, marginal structural modeling, LASSO, random forest regression, and meta-analysis
• Knowledge of the various types of research study designs and familiarity with database design and management
• Ability to work with text data
• Ability to manage multiple projects with minimal supervision
• Strong interpersonal, written, and oral communication, and organizational skills
• Flexibility, adaptability, and the ability to work effectively in a team setting

Preferred qualifications

• Familiarity with VA data systems, files, and data security
• Experience using CMS data
• Experience in health care delivery or public health

Application

To apply, email resume and cover letter to katherine.williams5@va.gov . Applications will be accepted and reviewed until the position is filled. The worksite is the San Francisco VA Medical Center and the position may be covered by a telework agreement (position is telework under current conditions). Candidates must be US citizens. Depending on the candidate’s experience, the target salary will be in the GS-12 range.

(08/28/20) Health Sciences National Research Study Coordinator, EPIC³ Study - Seattle, WA

Are you interested in helping to improve the health and healthcare of our United States Veterans through meaningful work in a collaborative environment? The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Cooperative Studies Program (CSP) is a nationally renowned program that produces innovative solutions to Veteran and national healthcare problems through multi-site research studies.

The VA CSP Seattle Epidemiologic Research and Information Center (ERIC) is hiring a full-time National Research Study Coordinator. The National Research Study Coordinator will support a multi-site observational study titled, CSP #2028: Epidemiology, Immunology, and Clinical Characteristics of COVID-19 (EPIC³) within the Veterans Health Administration. This position is based in Seattle, WA.

The aim of the study is to gather longitudinal data on the epidemiology, virology, immunology, and clinical characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 infections and the COVID-19 disease to answer key research questions about their natural history and clinical outcomes, and to better anticipate and manage pandemics in the future for Veterans Health Administration users and the general population. The role of the Seattle ERIC is to provide overall research operations and coordination of the study for all study sites nationwide.

The National Research Study Coordinator will help advance the study’s scientific objectives and support dissemination of study findings in scientific manuscripts, under the direction of the Study Program Manager and Study Co-Chair.

Key duties include the following:

• Coordinate development of a scientific publication strategy with the study leadership team and investigators
• Manage scientific manuscript production, co-author and institutional review, and journal submission and review
• Assist study Co-chair with scheduling, agenda setting, and development of materials for national and local study meetings
• Contribute to management and maintenance of the Operations Manual
• Assist with designing and developing standard operating procedures, databases, and study materials; maintain and troubleshoot tracking infrastructures
• Ensure compliance with study protocol, including informed consent, safety, and data security requirements
• Monitor subject recruitment and data collection activities at sites, identify deficiencies, recommend solutions, and take corrective action when required
• Oversee data management and quality assurance/quality control procedures

Qualifications:

• BA/BS or higher degree in a scientific- or health-related field required, Master’s level degree preferred
• 1-4 years of work experience in clinical, epidemiological, or health services research required
  • If BA/BS, 2-4 years of research-related experience required
  • If higher degree, 1-2 years of research-related experience preferred
• Experience with scientific writing and publication
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate with a diverse group of researchers and staff
• Excellent written communication skills
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills
• Solid problem-solving and critical thinking skills
• Excellent time management skills
• Ability to adapt to evolving and competing priorities and timelines
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office programs (e.g., Word, Excel, Outlook) required; experience with Microsoft Access, Microsoft SharePoint and REDCap programs preferred

About the Seattle ERIC and VA CSP:

The Seattle ERIC is a research center within the VA Puget Sound Health Care System that works to improve the health and healthcare of Veterans through epidemiologic research. We are part of the VA CSP, a national VA research group of 12 epidemiology and clinical trial research centers.

Learn more at:

• Seattle ERIC website: https://www.seattle.eric.research.va.gov/
• VA CSP website: https://www.vacsp.research.va.gov/

Application information:

Candidates must be U.S. citizens. Education and experience will be evaluated by Human Resources to determine if the top candidate meets the criteria for the targeted GS-09. The General Schedule (GS) salary table for Seattle can be found on the Office of Personnel Management website at opm.gov.

Please send a cover letter and resume to SeattleCSPEC@va.gov. Resumes must detail whether employment was full- or part-time and paid or unpaid. Applications that include unofficial degree transcripts may be considered first. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled; however, materials received by 09/11/2020 will be considered first. Applications received without a cover letter will not be considered.

(08/18/20) Health Economist - Houston, TX

IQuESt (a collaborative center of health services research between the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center and Baylor College of Medicine) is seeking a Health Economist Researcher to join a grant-supported, multidisciplinary research team that is nationally recognized for work in patient safety, behavioral health, quality improvement, implementation science and population health.

Salary will be dependent upon qualifications.

Visit our website: http://www.houston.hsrd.research.va.gov

Tasks and Responsibilities

• Develop program objectives, strategies and study methods on health care
• Design and execute research studies to guide effective use of information and resources
• Lead and direct plans to calculate various costs related to health care
• Utilize research programs on health economic topics
• Suggest new health outcomes for treatment and prevention of health issues
• Evaluate current and proposed strategies and interpret findings
• Communicate economic assessment results to appropriate internal audiences
• Perform economic analysis and model plans for health-care programs
• Communicate and distribute academic literature, presentations and reports on research findings to update about new issues, solutions and other topics
• Provide lectures or educational sessions to educate about health economics

Education Required

A health economist should possess minimum qualifications in order to qualify for such a position. PhD required in health economics, health policy, or the related branch of study with two years of work experience.

Skills Required

• Knowledge of the health-care industry and U.S. health system
• Good understanding of the subject of economics and international relations
• Right balance of mathematical and analytical aptitude to comprehend the economic aspects thoroughly
• Excellent research skills and ability to analyze findings to make appropriate use
• Clear understanding of the country’s health economy
• Abreast with the national economic policies and its impact on the health-care sector
• Understand and apply mathematical concepts
• Fluent verbal and written communication skills
• Possess strong leadership and management skills
• Ability to work on multiple projects and meet deadlines
• Strong orientation to team work
• Experience in successful implementation of plans and achievement of objectives
• Ability to think analytically and strategically

Additional Qualification

• Applicants must be a United States Citizen.
• Ability to work effectively as a member of an interdisciplinary team.
• Excellent interpersonal and communications skills in both written and spoken English.

Interested candidates should submit a current curriculum vitae and cover letter to:

Ms. Shannon Kenyon, Chief of Operations IQuESt 2450 Holcombe Blvd, Suite 01Y Houston, TX 77021
shannon.kenyon@bcm.edu

Please reference “Health Economist” in subject line.

(08/18/20) Research Study Coordinator - Boston, MA

We are recruiting a full-time research study coordinator at the HST GS-601-(9-11) level depending on professional qualifications to serve on a Phase III, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-center study across 10 VA medical centers including the VA Boston Healthcare System (VABHS). The study is entitled “Effect of simvastatin on hepatic decompensation and death in subjects with high-risk compensated cirrhosis (SACRED: Statins and Cirrhosis: Reducing Events of Decompensation)”.

The study is funded by VA-ORD through a 5-year period beginning October 1, 2020 through September 30, 2025 (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03654053).

The primary objective of the trial is to demonstrate that statin therapy can reduce the rate of hepatic decompensation, hepatocellular carcinoma, all-cause mortality, and the need for liver transplantation. VABHS will be responsible to recruit a total of 50 patients with compensated cirrhosis at high-risk for hepatic decompensation over the first 3 years of the study. These patients will be stratified based upon the presence or absence of varices and randomized to simvastatin 40mg/day or placebo for up to 24 months.

Patients will be observed for the development of hepatic decompensation (variceal hemorrhage, ascites, encephalopathy), HCC, liver-related death, death from any cause, and/or complications of statin therapy. The primary study endpoint is the effect of statin therapy on reducing the incidence of hepatic decompensation and HCC. Secondary endpoints are to assess the effect of statin therapy on mortality, need for liver transplantation, health related quality of life in patients with decompensated cirrhosis, to assess the impact of statins on portal hypertension, and to explore the interaction of SLCO1B1 and KIF6 polymorphisms on safety and clinical efficacy of statin therapy.

The Study Coordinator will be responsible to screen, enroll and follow up study subjects ensuring protocol compliance and close monitoring while the subjects are on study. Responsibilities include all data collection, source documentation, completion of study specific case report forms, paperwork preparation for the Central IRB and local R&DC and documentation and submission of adverse experience reports.

Contact: Dr. Gyorgy Baffy at Gyorgy.Baffy@va.gov

(08/05/20) Health Sciences Research Coordinator, EPIC³ Study - Seattle, WA

Are you interested in helping to improve the health and healthcare of our United States Veterans through meaningful work in a collaborative environment? The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Cooperative Studies Program (CSP) is a nationally renowned program that produces innovative solutions to Veteran and national healthcare problems through multi-site research studies.

The VA CSP Seattle Epidemiologic Research and Information Center (ERIC) is hiring several full-time Research Coordinators. The Research Coordinators will support a multi-site observational study titled, CSP #2028: Epidemiology, Immunology, and Clinical Characteristics of COVID-19 (EPIC³) within the Veterans Health Administration. Positions are based in Seattle, WA.

The aim of the study is to gather longitudinal data on the epidemiology, virology, immunology, and clinical characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 infections and the COVID-19 disease to answer key research questions about their natural history and clinical outcomes, and to better anticipate and manage pandemics in the future for Veterans Health Administration (VHA) users and the general population. The Seattle ERIC will provide the overall administration and coordination of the study for all study sites nationwide.

The Research Coordinators will provide operational support under the direction of the Study Program Manager.

Key duties:

• Design and develop standard operating procedures, databases, and study materials; maintain and troubleshoot tracking infrastructures
• Serve as liaison between investigators, site personnel, consultants, and contractors
• Virtually train study site personnel on operational procedures and protocols including participant tracking measures
• Oversee data management and quality assurance/quality control procedures
• Ensure compliance with study protocol, including informed consent, safety, and data security requirements
• Ensure regulatory requirements are met, including completing R&D and IRB documentation and preparing for audits
• Work closely with the EPIC³ coordinating team and study sites to ensure effective collaboration and maintain accurate data capture
• Monitor subject recruitment and data collection activities at sites and take corrective action when required
• Track study progress at sites, identify deficiencies, and recommend solutions
• Prepare reports, presentations, and data summaries
• Coordinate and facilitate local and national meetings and trainings
• Provide training and guidance to Research Assistants

Qualifications:

• BA/BS or higher degree in a scientific- or health-related field required
• 1-4 years of work experience in clinical, epidemiological, or health services research required
  • If BA/BS, 2-4 years of research-related experience required
  • If higher degree, 1-2 years of research-related experience preferred
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate with a diverse group of researchers and staff
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills
• Solid problem-solving and critical thinking skills
• Excellent time management skills
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities and timelines
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook required
• Experience with Microsoft Access, Microsoft SharePoint, Microsoft Teams, and REDCap preferred

About the Seattle ERIC and VA CSP:

The Seattle ERIC is a research center within the VA Puget Sound Health Care System that works to improve the health and healthcare of Veterans through epidemiologic research. We are part of the VA CSP, a national VA research group of 12 epidemiology and clinical trial research centers.

Learn more at:

• Seattle ERIC website: https://www.seattle.eric.research.va.gov/
• VA CSP website: https://www.vacsp.research.va.gov/

Application information:

Candidates must be U.S. citizens. Education and experience will be evaluated by Human Resources to determine if the top candidate meets the criteria for the targeted GS-09. The General Schedule (GS) salary table for Seattle can be found on the Office of Personnel Management website at opm.gov.

Please send a cover letter and resume to SeattleCSPEC@va.gov. Resumes must include whether employment was full- or part-time and paid or unpaid. Applications that include unofficial degree transcripts may be considered first. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled; however, materials received by 08/18/2020 will be considered first. Applications received without a cover letter will not be considered.

(08/03/20) Infectious Diseases Physician Researcher - Boise, ID

The Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Boise, Idaho, is seeking a full-time staff physician in Infectious Disease Medicine in the physician/scientist pathway.  Certification from the American Board of Internal Medicine in Infectious Diseases is required.  The incumbent will spend approximately 5/8 time in clinical duties and the other 3/8 in research.  Clinical duties will include inpatient rounds, consult services and a half-day of outpatient clinic per week throughout the year.   

The incumbent will join an internationally known research group with expertise in pathophysiology of infections caused by gram positive bacteria such as Streptococcus pneumonia, Group A streptococcus, MRSA, a variety of clostridial species and adenovirus and influenza infections.  Research priorities are mechanisms of bacterial and viral  pathogenesis.   The 18,000 square- foot basic science laboratory was built in 2013, and houses $2,000,000 of new equipment.  Currently, the Boise VAMC and affiliate Idaho Veterans Research and Education Foundation administer a $7.5 million NIH COBRE grant to establish a Center of Excellence in Emerging and Re-Emerging Pathogens, Dr. Dennis Stevens, Program Director. The Center supports 6 principal investigators, 6 laboratory technicians, undergraduate, graduate, and medical students, and a state-of-the-art animal facility and histopathology core. The incumbent with current research funding commensurate with an NIH RO1 could transition to the role of Program Director for the current COBRE grant, with opportunities to renew this grant for 2 additional 5-year funding cycles. Overall the VA and affiliated Idaho Veterans Research and Education Foundation administer grants from NIH, pharmaceutical corporations, and VA intramural funding.  

The Boise VA Medical Center holds affiliations and collaborations with the University of Washington, Boise State University, University of Idaho and Idaho State University.  The incumbent will actively participate in teaching medical students, residents, and fellows.  Physicians applying for this position must have recent experience in formulating and bringing to completion independent research and publishing scientific papers in peer-reviewed medical journals.  In addition, the incumbent must have experience seeking research funding, writing grant proposals, and obtaining research grants.  Experience in basic science research pertaining to mechanisms of pathogenesis  is preferred.

For more information or to apply, contact Nicholas Vietri, MD. Chief, Infectious Disease Service, Boise VA Medical Center at Nicholas.Vietri@va.gov .

(07/10/20) Director - Center for Mental Healthcare and Outcomes Research - Little Rock, AR

The Center for Mental Healthcare and Outcomes Research (CeMHOR) is seeking interested candidates for the role of Director. Located at the Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System in Little Rock, Arkansas, CeMHOR is a Center of Innovation (COIN) funded by the VA Health Services Research and Development Service (HSR&D). CeMHOR’s mission is to conduct research that improves access to mental healthcare for Veterans with mental health or substance use disorders with an emphasis on those at high-risk for suicide and Veterans living in rural areas.

CeMHOR is home to a cadre of 17 interdisciplinary investigators supported by over 20 staff members. CeMHOR investigators work closely with multiple VA partners and hold leadership roles in many of them. These centers have key personnel in Little Rock and include the Behavioral Health Quality Enhancement Research Initiative (QUERI), South Central Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC) and the VISN 16 Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center (GRECC).

The successful candidate will be eligible for faculty appointment with or without tenure at CAVHS’ academic partner, the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS). Specifically, the faculty appointment will be in the UAMS College of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Center for Health Services Research. Through UAMS, CeMHOR investigators collaborate with researchers from the Brain Imaging Research Center (BIRC) and the Center for Addiction Services within the Department of Psychiatry. CeMHOR investigators also work closely with investigators in the Center for Implementation Research and the Division of Pharmaceutical Evaluation and Policy (PEP) in the UAMS College of Pharmacy.

Requirements: Applicants must have a successful history of VA HSR&D, NIH, DOD, or PCORI funding in health services research or implementation science with strong academic credentials. Applicants should be motivated to regularly apply for federal funding and mentor junior faculty in the process. The successful candidate will have excellent strategic planning and leadership skills. The successful candidate will also have excellent written and verbal communication skills, and ability to present to and engage with diverse audiences, specifically Veterans, staff members, and investigators with diverse racial, rural, and socioeconomic backgrounds.

All inquiries will be handled in strict confidence.  

To apply, please send indication of interest and CV to: Rick Owen at Richard.Owen2@va.gov

Contact Information:
Richard Owen, MD
Director, Center for Mental Healthcare and Outcomes Research
Associate Chief of Staff for Research
Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System
Professor, Department of Psychiatry, UAMS College of Medicine
Phone: (501) 257-1710
Richard.Owen2@va.gov

(07/06/20) Associate Director - Bedford, MA

The Bedford VA is seeking a permanent Associate Director at Bedford CHOIR, the Center for Healthcare Organization & Implementation Research, the VA HSR&D Center of Innovation co-located between the Bedford VA and VA Boston Healthcare System.  We will consider applications from qualified MD and PhD health services research investigators or implementation scientists at mid- or senior career levels.

Full details of the announcement are located on the CHOIR website.

Interested individuals can contact Joanne Dussault (administrator, joanne.dussault@va.gov ) or Barbara Bokhour (Bedford CHOIR Director, Barbara.bokhour@va.gov ) for more information.

(10/19/20) Postdoctoral Fellowship in Health Services - Portland, OR

Two-year postdoctoral training positions in health services research (HSR) available at the VA Portland Health Care System in Portland, Oregon to begin in Fall, 2021. Fellows will be affiliated with the Portland HSR&D Center of Innovation – the Center to Improve Veteran Involvement in Care (CIVIC) – and Oregon Health & Science University. CIVIC’s mission is to conduct research that empowers Veterans to improve their health by enhancing active participation of Veterans and their supports in health care. CIVIC has a specific focus on understanding and assisting patients with psychological challenges or other vulnerabilities that may impact self-management and recovery. Topics of interest among CIVIC investigators include enhancement of patient-clinician collaboration in care; post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, and chronic pain and opioids; suicide prevention; health informatics; and rural health and access to care. More information about CIVIC and its investigators, the fellowship, and the application process is available at http://www.portlandcoin.research.va.gov/.   Fellows will receive specialized training and experience related to one (or more) of four unique tracks: Clinical Innovator, Research Synthesis, HSR&D Informatics, and/or Independent Investigator. The training program is directed by Kathleen Carlson, PhD (Kathleen.Carlson@va.gov) and Chris Slatore, MD, MPH (Chris.Slatore@va.gov). We welcome applications from physicians, psychologists, nurses and other doctoral-level healthcare professionals and scientists. Applications are due by January 4, 2021. Candidates must be U.S. citizens. 

(10/08/20) Los Angeles Area Health Services Research Training Program Postdoctoral Fellowship - Los Angeles, CA

The Los Angeles Area Health Services Research Training Program postdoctoral fellowship is a joint initiative of the Department of Health Policy and Management at the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health, RAND Health, The USC Schaeffer Center for Health Policy and Economics, and the VA Los Angeles Center for the Study of Healthcare Innovation, Implementation and Policy. It is supported by a grant from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. The program provides comprehensive training and experience to highly-qualified postdoctoral trainees so that they may effectively engage in and lead research and implementation activities aimed at improving the quality and efficiency of the U.S. health care system.

Drawing on the expertise of faculty and researchers at the four institutions – over three dozen of whom have agreed to be mentors – the program invites applicants interested in pursuing research in: health systems change including study of system innovations and care outside the clinic; managed care and the design and impact of hospital, physician and bundled payment systems; implementation science; patient, provider, and organizational decision-making; health outcomes measurement and comparative effectiveness analysis; patient-centered care; and health equity, access and quality of care for priority populations such as racial and ethnic minorities, low income populations and patients with high expense chronic illnesses such as HIV. Research within a comparative international framework is also invited.

To be eligible to receive a postdoctoral award, the prospective candidate must be a U.S. Citizen or permanent resident and have obtained a Ph.D., medical degree, or other professional doctoral degree. Awards will last two years. The fellowship provides a stipend, health insurance, and travel money to attend professional meetings. Postdoctoral fellows also have the option of pursuing a Masters degree in the UCLA Department of Health Policy and Management, and most tuition and fees are covered during the fellowship. 

The program is especially interested in attracting a diverse group of trainees, including those from underrepresented minority groups. 

The application deadline is December 11, 2020.

Program Questions: Contact Maria Porras: Mporras@ph.ucla.edu 

Application Questions: Contact Madeline Nguyen: Mnguyen@ph.ucla.edu

APPLY AT https://hpm.ph.ucla.edu/pages/post_doctoral

(09/29/20) Data Science Fellowship - Location TBD

The Big Data Scientist Training Enhancement Program (BD-STEP) is a two-year fellowship offered through the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) that uses data science to advance cancer research and patient care. Competitively selected postdoctoral fellows are placed in four VA medical centers across the country to work with clinicians and interdisciplinary researchers to address important patient-centered health challenges. Fellows have unique opportunity to unitlize the extensive VA health data infrastructure while gaining valuable exposure to the clinical environment.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. See brochure for details.

(08/10/20) Post-Doctoral / Clinical Research Fellow in High-Risk Complex Patient Analytics and Care - Pittsburgh, PA

Seeking candidates for a Post-Doctoral or Clinical Research Fellowship based at the VA Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion (CHERP) and the Caring for Complex Chronic Conditions Research Program at the University of Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh, PA.

Fellows will conduct health services research designed to improve care for high-risk, complex patients, including those with multimorbidity.  This is an exciting opportunity to apply innovative and advanced data modeling techniques to ‘big data’ from healthcare systems to inform complex patient care.  Topics of ongoing research include data-based segmentation of high-risk complex patient populations and developing new applications for prediction and segmentation model use in clinical care.

Prior to the fellowship start date, applicants are expected to have earned a doctorate in a discipline such as health services research, applied statistics, epidemiology, public health, or health policy, or a clinical degree related to primary care (MD, RN) with relevant research experience.

Postdoctoral fellows are expected to collaborate on established projects and are also encouraged to lead analytic projects with an emphasis on study design, data analysis, and manuscript writing. Emphasis will be given to producing peer-reviewed publications taking advantage of available datasets. Clinical focus is on adult health conditions.

Mentorship will be primarily provided by Dr. Ann-Marie Rosland, Director of the Complex Chronic Conditions Research Program, with further mentorship or collaboration with other VA or University of Pittsburgh faculty as appropriate. Start date for the fellowship is flexible, but must occur by September 30, 2020.  Fellowships can be renewed for additional years. This is a federal government position; U.S. citizenship is required.  

To apply please send the materials below to complexcaring@pitt.edu, attention Michele Nichols:

• Cover letter including goals for fellowship and for post-fellowship career
• Curriculum Vitae
• Two letters of reference
• Writing Sample: PDF of published academic manuscript, or another academic writing sample

For additional information see:

Caring for Complex Chronic Conditions Research Program

VA CHERP Health Services Research Fellowship

Dr. Rosland’s Academic Profile

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

(08/10/20) Post-Doctoral / Clinical Research Fellow in Family and Social Support for Chronic Disease Care - Pittsburgh, PA

We are seeking candidates for a Post-Doctoral or Clinical Research Fellowship based at the VA Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion (CHERP) and the Caring for Complex Chronic Conditions Research Program at the University of Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh, PA.

Fellows will conduct health services research designed to improve care for adults with complex chronic health conditions, including diabetes.  Research will focus on optimizing the healthcare support roles of family and friends in adults’ social networks, and the role of social support in healthcare, including how healthcare providers can partner with support and community networks to better care for patients.  Research will focus on underserved populations and is embedded in community-based and community-partnered principles.  This is an exciting opportunity to study innovative ways to apply psychological, sociologic, and health behavior science to challenges in improving health and care for people with chronic health conditions. Research methods include intervention studies, survey studies, qualitative studies, and secondary data analyses.

Prior to the fellowship start date, applicants are expected to have earned a doctorate in a discipline such as health services research, health psychology, social psychology, public health, social work, or health policy, or have a clinical degree (MD, RN, Pharmacy) with relevant research experience.

Postdoctoral fellows are expected to collaborate on established projects and are also encouraged to lead projects with an emphasis on study design, intervention development, data analysis, and manuscript writing. Emphasis will be given to producing peer-reviewed publications taking advantage of available datasets from NIH and VA funded studies. Clinical focus is on adult health conditions.

Mentorship will be primarily provided by Dr. Ann-Marie Rosland, Director of the Complex Chronic Conditions Research Program, with further mentorship or collaboration with other VA or University of Pittsburgh faculty as appropriate. Start date for the fellowship is flexible, but must occur by September 30, 2020.  Fellowships can be renewed for additional years. This is a federal government position; U.S. citizenship is required.  

To apply please send the materials below to complexcaring@pitt.edu, attention Michele Nichols:

• Cover letter including goals for fellowship and for post-fellowship career
• Curriculum Vitae
• Two letters of reference
• Writing Sample: PDF of published academic manuscript, or another academic writing sample

For additional information see:

Caring for Complex Chronic Conditions Research Program

VA CHERP Health Services Research Fellowship

Dr. Rosland’s Academic Profile

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

(07/16/20) Advanced Post-Doctoral Fellowship in Health Service Research - Philadelphia, PA

Two-year Advanced Post-Doctoral Fellowship in health services research, mentored by the Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion (CHERP) Core Investigators.  CHERP is a VA HSR&D Center of Innovation dedicated to advancing equitable health care for vulnerable populations

• Collaborate with dedicated mentors at the University of Pennsylvania and Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center (Philadelphia) on research opportunities and career development.
• Undertake independent research projects without teaching or service requirements.
• Annual stipend and health insurance. 

Qualifications:

• US Citizen
• PhD, MD or other relevant doctoral degree (conferred before start of fellowship)
• Demonstrated experience in health services research
• Interest in health equity and health disparities among vulnerable populations
• Interest in VA health services research

The training program is supported by the VA Office of Academic Affiliations and Health Services Research & Development Service. 

Applications due December 1, 2020.  Expected start date of September 2021. 

For more information and the application requirements, go to https://www.cherp.research.va.gov/fellowships/health-services-research-phi.asp or contact Carson Connor Clark carson.clark@va.gov.

(04/02/20) Postdoctoral Health Services Research Fellowship - Providence, RI

Unique interdisciplinary fellowship training opportunities in Health Services Research are available in Providence Veterans Affairs' Center of Innovation (COIN) for Long-Term Services and Support (LTSS) for Vulnerable Veterans.

Funded by the Health Services Research and Development (HSR&D) service of the Department of Veterans Affairs, our Center's vision is to stimulate and develop partnered health services research that will enhance access, quality and value of LTSS for Veterans with medical and/or psychosocial vulnerabilities and facilitate the implementation of programs to support the mission of VA's GEC service in maximizing Veterans' social participation and quality of life in the least restrictive setting possible. The primary goal of the COIN-LTSS is to advance the science in LTSS for Veteran and other populations with medical and/or psychosocial vulnerabilities.

Our program aims to train both physician and non-physician researchers to become successful independent investigators in health services research and health system improvement, to give trainees didactic as well as "hands-on" supervised experience in health services research, and to teach health services research methods as well as content material relevant to gerontology, long term care, and chronic disease management. Post-doctoral fellows will have the opportunity to participate in on-going research in one or more substantive areas, including chronic disease management, long-term care, quality of care, community-based systems of care, organization of health care delivery, health care disparities, and methodological approaches to comparative effectiveness research. We have a robust mentoring program to promote the career development of our fellowship trainees.

Located at the Providence VA Medical Center in Rhode Island, the COIN-LTSS works closely with its partners, the Geriatrics and Extended Care Service (GEC), the GEC Data & Analysis Center (GEC DAC) and the Brown University Center for Gerontology & Healthcare Research. Many of our faculty hold joint appointments with Brown University and are nationally and internationally renowned for their work in health services research and policy.

The COIN-LTSS Fellowship program welcomes applications from those with a previous doctoral degree, such as a PhD or MD. The position requirements for a post-doctoral fellowship are: MD and continuation of basic clinical training, or PhD or equivalent doctoral degree in health services research, sociology, epidemiology, economics or other related field. Term of appointment is for one year, renewable contingent upon funding.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

For more information, please contact Elizabeth Archambault at Elizabeth.Archambault@va.gov or call 401-273-7100 ext. 6456.

(04/02/20) Women’s Health Fellowship - Pittsburgh, PA

Overview: The Women’s Health Fellowship at the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System is recruiting candidates for a 2-year postdoctoral research fellowship program. The goal of the program is to cultivate women’s health researchers to develop careers that will contribute to the VA’s core mission of delivering high quality, equitable care to women Veterans.

Program Description: This interdisciplinary program trains associated health professionals for academic research careers focused on women’s health. Individualized, mentored research and clinical training (if appropriate) is combined with a curriculum that emphasizes research best practices, study design, statistical analysis, and grant preparation. Fellows receive a stipend, health insurance, and limited support for training and research activities. There are no teaching, service, or payback requirements.

Qualifications: To be eligible for the fellowship, applicants must be US citizens. Clinical (e.g., physicians, nurses, pharmacists, psychologists, social workers) and non-clinical associated health professionals (e.g., anthropologists, sociologists, health economists) with doctoral degrees (or nearing the end of their doctoral training) are eligible to apply. Candidates who are people of color or from other underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply.

How to Apply:  Interested candidates who meet the eligibility requirements should submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae, and writing sample to VHAPHICHERPFellowship@va.gov. The cover letter should specify the reasons for your interest in this particular fellowship training program, a brief overview of your previous clinical and/or research experiences, and how you see this program promoting your professional and career goals. In addition, three letters of recommendation should be sent via email directly from the letter writers. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. The VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System is an equal opportunity employer.

(03/23/20) Advanced Postdoctoral Fellowship in Interprofessional Polytrauma and Traumatic Brain Injury Rehabilitation Research for Associated Health Professionals - Washington, DC

Overview: The Interprofessional Polytrauma and Traumatic Brain Injury Rehabilitation Research (P/TBI) Fellowship at the Washington DC VA Medical Center (DC VAMC) is recruiting associated health professionals for a 2-year postdoctoral fellowship program. The P/TBI Fellowship at the DC VAMC reflects the high VA priority to address the complex rehabilitation of injured active duty service members. The primary goal of this fellowship program is to develop clinician-investigators with the appropriate research skills and clinical expertise to advance P/TBI rehabilitation who may assume positions of leadership across the country in the service of Veterans with polytrauma.

Program Description: This interdisciplinary program aims to train associated health professionals for an academic research career with a focus on the rehabilitation of Veterans with polytrauma and/or acquired brain injury. These aims will be achieved by providing: 1) structured career development training, 2) formal clinical and research mentorship, 3) access to the equipment, human capital, and other resources associated with a strong clinical research environment, 4) a comprehensive, individualized fellowship training curriculum, and 5) protected research time in close collaboration with a P/TBI investigator. Fellowship candidates with professional licensure will allocate 25% of their time to participate in clinical rotations within the PM&R Service. Additional program guidance is provided by the P/TBI Fellowship Directors and Advisory Board, and peer-to-peer interaction is facilitated through the Fellows’ Forum seminar series. Fellows will receive a salary, health benefits, and an annual research stipend.

How to Apply: Interested associated health professionals who meet the eligibility requirements should send a cover letter, curriculum vitae, and three letters of recommendation to Michael Harris-Love, DSc (Michael.Harris-Love@va.gov). The cover letter should specify the reasons for your interest in the fellowship program, a brief overview of your previous clinical and research experiences, a succinct statement of your research interest, and how the fellowship program may aid your professional and career goals. Applications will be received and reviewed on a rolling basis. Associated health professional fellows must be U.S. citizens.

(03/20/20) Postdoctoral Fellow Position in Exercise Physiology - East Orange, NJ

The War Related Illness and Injury Study Center (WRIISC)

The WRIISC is a national Department of Veterans Affairs tertiary care clinic that provides expertise on post-deployment health through clinical, research and education efforts. Within the New Jersey WRIISC, we have launched the Airborne Hazards and Burn Pits Center of Excellence where we provide advanced diagnostics and care for patients with unexplained dyspnea. Our integrated program of research complements these efforts by studying mechanisms of fatigue, dyspnea and exercise intolerance.

Qualified Applicants:

We are looking for highly motivated candidates with expertise and/or interest in human cardiopulmonary physiology to join our clinical research team. Incoming fellows are expected to collaborate on ongoing funded projects, provide clinical cardiopulmonary services, develop independent research questions and apply for research grants. The following specific criteria will be considered:

• Must be a US Citizen with a PhD, MD or equivalent degree
• Background and knowledge of human physiology
• Laboratory experience in human exercise physiology, cardiopulmonary testing and/r cardiovascular research. Preferred experience: cardiopulmonary exercise testing, cardiovascular imaging, and/or basic science techniques

Highlights of the Postdoctoral Fellowship:

• Opportunity to conduct clinical translational research
• Competitive salary and health benefits
• Eligible for VA intramural grant funds, including Career Development Awards
• On-site fitness center and child care available
• Approximately 30 minutes from New York City

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

Contact Information:

Dr. Michael Falvo: Michael.Falvo@va.gov (800-248-8005)
www.WarRelatedIllness.va.gov; https://www.va.gov/oaa/specialfellows/programs/SF_war_related.asp?p=19