Department: Department Name / Dept ID: Psychiatry / 0-6118-000

College/Division: USF Health- Morsani College of Medicine

Salary Plan: Temporary

Job Title: Cognitive Aging Research Postdoctoral Scholar

Hiring Salary/Salary Range: $62,000/year

POSITION SUMMARY:

We are seeking a Postdoctoral Scholar (postdoc) to conduct clinical research in cognitive aging under the mentorship of Jerri Edwards, PhD, Professor and Director of the Cognitive Aging Lab (https://health.usf.edu/medicine/labs/cna-lab). Research focuses on healthy brain aging including randomized trials of cognitive interventions to prevent mild cognitive impairment and dementia funded by National Institutes of Health, National Institute on Aging (e.g., the Preventing Alzheimer’s with Cognitive Training study-PACT, www.pactstudy.org). Federal funding includes approximately $10 million per year in support of two large, randomized trials with multiple US sites. The lab includes a team of six scientists with interests in cognitive and sensory aging and expertise in gerontology, developmental psychology, neuroscience, nursing, and communication sciences and disorders. The Cognitive Aging Lab includes a full time Office Manager, Lead Study Coordinator, two Marketing Team members, seven full-time Research Associates, and volunteer undergraduate research assistants.

The postdoc will have the opportunity to collaborate on NIH-funded, multi-site, randomized clinical trials involving older adults with aims to reduce risk for cognitive impairment and dementia such as Alzheimer’s disease. Major components will include identifying, hiring, training, supervising, and coordinating research staff to ensure adherence to study protocols and quality control. The postdoc will collaborate with team scientists to analyze study data and publish in peer-reviewed journal articles on results from recently completed NIH/NIA funded research projects (i.e., U01, R01, and R21). To support their research career trajectory, the postdoc may conduct ancillary independent research projects and apply for grant funding. Interests and experience in minority aging and engaging minorities in research and/or the science of research recruitment and retention is preferred.

ORGANIZATION SUMMARY:
USF Health's mission is to envision and implement the future of health. It is the partnership of the University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, the College of Nursing, the College of Public Health, the College of Pharmacy, the School of Biomedical Sciences and the School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences; and the USF Physician's Group. USF is a global research university ranked 34th in federal research expenditures for public universities. For information regarding the USF Health, please visit our website at http://health.usf.edu/index.html

DUTIES:

Collaborates on ongoing research projects and launches new research projects; Coordinates and supervises research staff and volunteers; Ensures study protocols are followed for compliance, safety, and quality control. Coordinates research study visits and oversees data collection; Leads team meetings across study sites; Maximizes workflow and procedures for effective and efficient project management. Troubleshoots and problem solves to overcome barriers to progress. Identifies, hires, and trains research staff and volunteers. Attends weekly leadership meeting. Leads weekly staff meetings. Attends monthly investigator meetings.

Performs study outreach and recruitment to meet project goals; Assists with study recruitment and retention efforts emphasizing reaching minorities at risk for dementia such as Alzheimer’s disease. Helps to lead and direct study marketing team. Provides educational talks in the community; Makes connections with the community to engage minorities in research. Devises and implements methods to effectively recruit and retain study participants.

Assists with preparing reports and other documents for publication and dissemination. Uses REDCap to produce data reports and data sets. Compiles data for reporting and analyses. Analyzes study data with appropriate statistical techniques. Meets with supervising faculty to review study progress, timeline, and findings. Prepares briefings of results and works closely with supervising faculty during interpretation of study results. Presents research findings at national and international meetings.

Conceptualizes, designs, and conducts independent research under faculty supervision; Pursues internal and external grant funding; Develops, edits, and updates standardized laboratory documents including IRB protocols, study codebooks, data collection templates.

Performs other research related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS (Education & Experience):

Minimum Qualifications:

Prospective applicants must have a PhD from an accredited institution in psychology, neuroscience, health science, communications sciences & disorders, public health, behavioral sciences or other related field at the time of appointment.

Prospective applicants also must meet university criteria for appointment to the rank of Postdoctoral Fellow.

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience recruiting and engaging diverse older adults in research. Experience with primary data collection. Supervisory and/or management experience. Aptitude for writing manuscripts and providing presentations. Excellent written and oral communication skills.