Dr. Andrea Schneider in the Departments of Neurology and Epidemiology at the University of Pennsylvania is seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Fellow to join an NIH-funded research program focused on understanding how traumatic brain injury (TBI) contributes to cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (AD/ADRD) across the life course.
TBI is an important and potentially modifiable risk factor for dementia, yet the mechanisms through which TBI influences long-term cognitive health—and the time course over which these associations emerge—remain poorly understood. This project addresses these critical gaps by leveraging data from more than 40,000 participants from four large, NIH-funded prospective cohort studies: the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health), Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study, Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) Study, and Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA). The project uses an accelerated longitudinal/cohort-sequential design and provides an opportunity to work with exceptionally rich longitudinal data spanning adolescence through older adulthood.
The post-doctoral fellow will play a key role in a collaborative research program investigating how cumulative TBI exposure across the life course relates to cognitive trajectories and incident AD/ADRD; how pre- and post-injury vascular risk factors (including hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, smoking, and obesity) modify these associations; and how TBI relates to biomarkers of neurodegeneration and vascular disease.
Open to applications from U.S. citizens and foreign nationals.
Research Opportunities
Depending on the post-doctoral fellow's interests and experience, projects may include:
- Harmonizing TBI, cognitive, vascular, biomarker, and neuroimaging measures across large longitudinal cohorts
- Examining the relationship between cumulative TBI exposure and long-term cognitive trajectories and dementia risk
- Developing novel life-course approaches to understanding the intersection of TBI, vascular disease, brain aging, and AD/ADRD
- Developing complementary independent research questions and manuscripts based on the post-doctoral fellow's own scientific interests
Training and Mentorship
The post-doctoral fellow will receive close mentorship in neuroepidemiology, longitudinal epidemiologic methods, life-course epidemiology, dementia epidemiology, biomarker analyses, and analysis of large population-based cohorts. The position is designed to support the post-doctoral fellow's development toward an independent research career, with opportunities to lead publications, present findings at national and international meetings, develop grant applications, and pursue independent research questions.
The fellow will be part of a highly collaborative research environment spanning neurology, epidemiology, biostatistics, neurocritical care, and population health. There will also be opportunities to collaborate with investigators across institutions.
Qualifications
Applicants should have:
- Doctoral degree in epidemiology, biostatistics, or a related field
- Strong quantitative and analytical skills
- Experience with statistical programming (e.g., R, Stata, or SAS)
- Experience analyzing longitudinal epidemiologic data is preferred
- Strong scientific writing and communication skills
- An interest in TBI, dementia/ADRD, neuroepidemiology, aging, biomarkers, or related areas
Experience with large population-based cohorts, longitudinal data analysis, survival analysis, biomarkers, or neuroimaging would be particularly valuable, but candidates with strong quantitative training and an interest in developing expertise in these areas are encouraged to apply.
Application Instructions
Applicants should submit a cover letter, CV, research statement (2 pages maximum), and contact information for three references. Materials should be submitted through interfolio.
Any questions, or follow up inquiries, can be emailed to Dr. Andrea Schneider (Andrea.Schneider@pennmedicine.upenn.edu).
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
The University of Pennsylvania is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin (including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics), citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status or any class protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.
