"Alerted.org

We are inviting motivated candidates to apply for an immediately open post-doctoral scholar position in the Department of Health Disparities Research, the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center (MDACC) in Houston. We seek candidates with a track record of peer-reviewed publications, training in psychology, public health, communication, or other behavioral science, and strong work ethics and commitment to research.

Our team has expertise in applying psychosocial research to improve the well-being of cancer survivors and to enhance cancer preventive health behaviors among underserved populations. We are conducting several large NIH funded psychosocial interventions (e.g., expressive writing, peer mentor support, storytelling interventions, HPV vaccination promotion). The postdoctoral fellow will actively participate in these funded studies, and contribute to scientific aspects (study design, data analysis, etc.) and implementation. The post-doctoral scholar will have opportunities to work on first authored manuscript writing, to develop new studies and to learn about grant writing including career development grants. The post-doctoral scholar will primarily work with Dr. Qian Lu, who has a track record of successfully obtaining extramural funding as a PI and mentoring career development grant awardees. The scholar will have opportunities to learn about multiple exciting research areas and methods. These research areas include psychosocial and behavioral interventions (social support, peer mentor, emotion regulation, expressive writing, health communication, vaccination uptake, cultural adaptation of interventions), well-being among cancer survivors and those with high risk (quality of life, adjustment, meaning, posttraumatic growth), understudied (young adult cancer survivors) and underserved populations (ethnic minorities, rural, low SES). The candidate will have opportunities to learn about randomized controlled trial, mixed quantitative and qualitative research methods, community based participatory research methods, and biopsychosocial framework (stress biomarkers).

All duties and responsibilities are carried out in compliance with institutional policies, ethical research standards, and applicable federal and state regulations.

*LEARNING OBJECTIVES*

• Planning, organizing, coordinating, and participating in scientific research projects.

• Work closely with Research Manager to manage personnel tasks.

• Work closely with Professor to determine specific goals or objectives to be obtained for each research project and evaluate research data, develop, and revise techniques or approaches to work problems.

• Develop and/or recommend program intervention, prevention, and/or control strategies.

• Provide expertise and services on behavioral research-related issues, data management, analysis, and interpretation.

• Provide experience-based recommendations and research direction as requested on other studies conducted by, or on the behalf of the Professor and Research Manager.

*ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS*

• Ph.D. in psychology, public health, or other related behavioral/social sciences discipline; or is currently enrolled in a doctoral degree program and will have fulfilled all degree requirements prior to beginning the postdoctoral fellowship

• Knowledge and experience with cancer research

• Be able to function in a separate and independent manner in the design and initiation of research experiments

• Strong data analysis skills

• Excellent oral presentation and writing skills

• Advanced training in research methodology and strong publication record

• Strong work ethic and commitment to becoming an independent scientist

*ADDITIONAL APPLICATION INFORMATION*

Applicants should send a cover letter stating research interests and experience, curriculum vitae, a list of two references, and up to two first-author reprint/writing sample(s) to Qian Lu, Ph.D., M.D. at (qlu at mdanderson.org) and Celia Wong-Meli, Ph.D. at (cwong5 at mdanderson.org) with the subject line "Postdoctoral Scholar Application". Initial appointment is one year, renewable upon mutual consent. The position opens immediately, and we accept and review applications - and make hiring decisions - on a rolling basis, so apply as soon as possible. Starting date is negotiable. Inquiries about the position should be addressed to Qian Lu at (qlu at mdanderson.org) and Celia Wong-Meli, Ph.D. at (cwong5 at mdanderson.org).

*POSITION INFORMATION*

MD Anderson offers full-time postdoc positions with a [salary ranging from $64,000 to $76,000](https://trainees.mdanderson.org/apply/mdaPostdoctoralFellowStipendFY24.pdf). depending on the number of years of postgraduate experience. The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center offers excellent [benefits](https://www.utsystem.edu/offices/employee-benefits/insurance-0/eligibility), including medical, dental, [paid time off](https://www.mdanderson.org/about-md-anderson/employee-resources/leave.html), [retirement](https://www.utsystem.edu/offices/employee-benefits/ut-retirement-program/voluntary-retirement-programs), tuition benefits, educational opportunities, and individual and team recognition

Offsite work arrangements are subject to approval and may be modified or revoked at any time based on business needs, performance considerations, or regulatory requirements.

This position may be responsible for maintaining the security and integrity of critical infrastructure, as defined in Section 113.001(2) of the Texas Business and Commerce Code and therefore may require routine reviews and screening. The ability to satisfy and maintain all requirements necessary to ensure the continued security and integrity of such infrastructure is a condition of hire and continued employment.

It is the policy of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center to provide equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by institutional policy or by federal, state or local laws unless such distinction is required by law. [http://www.mdanderson.org/about-us/legal-and-policy/legal-statements/eeo-affirmative-action.html](http://www.mdanderson.org/about-us/legal-and-policy/legal-statements/eeo-affirmative-action.html)