Post Doc Res Assoc w/Ret

Post Doc Res Assoc w/Ret

Job Summary

The Center for HOPE in the Department of Population Health Sciences and Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah is seeking applicants for a Postdoctoral Scholar position focused on community-engaged dissemination and implementation research.

The Center for HOPE conducts community-engaged behavioral, clinical, population, and implementation science research focused on health disparities, behavioral risk factors, cancer and chronic disease, infectious disease, screening and vaccination, and digital health technologies. Scholars may contribute to NIH-, PCORI-, and CDC-funded dissemination and implementation studies in tobacco cessation, HPV vaccination, lung cancer screening, colorectal cancer screening, and lifestyle behavior change. Research primarily serves community health center patients, rural, and low socioeconomic status communities.

Successful candidates will join an established, federally funded research team and contribute to a broad portfolio of community-engaged research led by Drs. David Wetter, Chelsey Schlechter, Cho Lam, and Lindsey Potter. Responsibilities include supporting principal investigators in planning, implementing, managing, and disseminating results from research projects. Current major grants include:

• NCI funded Persistent Poverty Initiative Center (HOPE & CAIRHE 2gether; Social Determinants of Health and Tobacco Cessation)
• CDC funded Prevention Research Center including a Cancer Prevention and Control Research Network (CPCRN; Mountain West Prevention Research Center)
• NCI Pragmatic Trials in Cancer Prevention and Control (Lung Cancer Screening)
• NCI Cancer Moonshot (Lifestyle/Weight)
• NCI funded digital health study of stress response dynamics during smoking cessation

Postdoctoral scholars will join a peer cohort in the Department of Population Health Sciences and Huntsman Cancer Institute. Scholars have the opportunity to participate in career-development programs across the University of Utah and through national networks (e.g., CPCRN Scholars Program, Mountain States Community-Engaged Dissemination and Implementation Research Institute) to prepare them for an independent academic research career. Scholars will have opportunities for publication, grant writing, authorship, and investigator status commensurate with their responsibilities. Additional training is available in implementation science, community-engaged research, and digital health through campus workshops, courses, collaborators, and the University of Utah CTSI Implementation Science Certificate program. The mentoring team has a strong record of helping scholars secure independent NIH K, F, and R01 funding. Salary is highly competitive and includes excellent fringe benefits.

Minimum Qualifications

A Ph.D. in implementation science, public health, behavioral science or a related discipline is required at the start of the fellowship. Applications will be reviewed as they are received.

Required materials

1. Letter of interest (cover letter)
2. CV
3. Research statement
4. Names and contact information for three academic references

Questions about this position should be directed to Chelsey Schlechter, MPH, PhD at Chelsey.schlechter@hci.utah.edu.

About the University of Utah

The University of Utah is the state’s oldest and largest institution of higher education and offers an exceptional research and teaching environment. The University of Utah encompasses both the flagship university and the health sciences campus for the state, competes in the Big 12 conference, and is the largest research-intensive institution in the Mountain West.

About the Department of Population Health Sciences

The Department of Population Health Sciences (PHS) is one of 26 departments in the School of Medicine in the Health Sciences Campus. The University of Utah Health (U of U Health) is a patient focused center distinguished by collaboration, excellence, leadership, and respect. The U of U Health values candidates who are committed to fostering and furthering the culture of compassion, collaboration, innovation, accountability, acceptance, integrity, quality, and trust that is integral to our mission. The Health Sciences Campus is home to 23 Institutes and Centers including The Utah Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI; our NCATS funded CTSA), the Huntsman Cancer Institute, the Huntsman Mental Health Institute, the Nora Eccles Harrison Cardiovascular Research Institute, the Center for Medical Innovation, and the Utah Center on Aging.

PHS is a hub for education, investigation and methodological expertise in population health. Through a diverse faculty in three Divisions, including Cancer Population Sciences, Biostatistics, and Health System Innovation & Research, we provide expertise and infrastructure to advance capacity for impact-driven research and support clinical professionals in providing better patient and population-oriented care in an increasingly complex health care delivery system. Through our research, education (our Population Health Sciences PhD Program), and community engagement activities, we promote patient-centered health care and the delivery of evidence-based health innovations that improve population health and reduce health disparities within our community. Through high impact research, we strive to contribute to a world where all individuals—regardless of socioeconomic status, race, ethnicity, gender identity or sexuality—have the opportunity to enjoy the highest attainable standard of health. The department is highly interdisciplinary, collaborative, and innovative, and we seek a postdoctoral fellow who will thrive in this environment.

Position details

• Standard Hours per Week: 40
• Full Time or Part Time?: Full Time
• Shift: Day
• Work Schedule Summary: M-F 8-5
• Department: 02171 - Education Program and Trainees
• Location: Campus
• City: Salt Lake City, UT
• Type: Benefited Staff
• Pay Rate Range: 70000
• Close Date: 02/26/2027

Additional Information

The University is a participating employer with Utah Retirement Systems (“URS”). Eligible new hires with prior URS service, may elect to enroll in URS if they make the election before they become eligible for retirement (usually the first day of work). Contact Human Resources at (801) 581-7447 for information. Individuals who previously retired and are receiving monthly retirement benefits from URS are subject to URS’ post-retirement rules and restrictions. Please contact Utah Retirement Systems at (801) 366-7770 or (800) 695-4877 or University Human Resource Management at (801) 581-7447 if you have questions regarding the post-retirement rules.

This position may require the successful completion of a criminal background check and/or drug screen.

The University of Utah values candidates who have experience working in settings with students and possess a strong commitment to improving access to higher education.

Veterans’ preference is extended to qualified applicants, upon request and consistent with University policy and Utah state law. Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process will be provided to individuals with disabilities.

Consistent with state and federal law, the University of Utah does not discriminate based upon race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, or protected veteran’s status. The University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX and 34 CFR part 106. The requirement not to discriminate in education programs or activities extends to admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and its regulations may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, to the Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, or both.

To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability or if you or someone you know has experienced discrimination or sexual misconduct including sexual harassment, you may contact the Director/Title IX Coordinator in the Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX (OEO). More information, including the Director/Title IX Coordinator’s office address, electronic mail address, and telephone number can be located at the: University of Utah Non‑Discrimination page.

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As per University of Utah policy 5-108: Transfer of Benefits Eligible Staff Members, a new hire to the University of Utah who is still serving a 12 month probationary period will not be hired into another University of Utah job (a transfer) until the successful completion of the probationary period.