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Advertising Summary: The VCU Institute for Drug and Alcohol Studies (IDAS) is seeking an enthusiastic Post-Doctoral Fellow to join a dynamic, multidisciplinary research team led by Dr. Caitlin E. Martin. This role focuses on NIH-funded translational science projects exploring how biological, neurofunctional, and psychosocial factors impact substance use disorder (SUD) recovery, with specific emphasis on opioid use disorder treatments, sleep comorbidities, and perinatal health. The fellow will lead data management and quantitative/qualitative analysis, manage regulatory compliance, publish research findings, and mentor student trainees. Qualified candidates must hold a PhD in a related scientific discipline, possess strong data management and statistical software skills (e.g., STATA, SPSS), and have at least one first-author publication. Experience with NIH-funded clinical research and REDCap is preferred. Please note: Only applicants who do not require current or future employment sponsorship will be considered.

Unit: VP Research MBU

Department: Inst for Drug Alcohol Stud

Department Summary: At the VCU Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation, our mission is to foster transformative research, discovery, and innovation at Virginia Commonwealth University through excellence in service.

We partner with faculty in all schools and departments as they seek funding, plan studies, establish collaborations, calculate budgets, submit grant applications, negotiate industry contracts, and secure patents and licensing agreements.

Our commitment to supporting and elevating the research community at VCU has resulted in record levels of sponsored research and has placed VCU among the nation’s premier public research universities.

Through our passion for discovery and willingness to take on challenges, we continue to advance the work that matters most and position the university as a national leader in research, innovation, creativity, and scholarship.

About the VCU Institute for Drug and Alcohol Studies (IDAS)

The Institute for Drug and Alcohol Studies (IDAS) at Virginia Commonwealth University is a premier hub for scientific discovery, dedicated to advancing multidisciplinary research and training on the neuroscience of addictions and related neurobehavioral disorders. Located in the heart of Richmond, IDAS bridges the gap between the laboratory and clinical practice, utilizing cutting-edge brain-imaging technology and collaborative clinical studies to understand how addiction impacts the brain and to develop life-changing treatments. As a vital part of a nationally renowned public research institution, we foster an "UNcommon" environment where diverse perspectives drive innovation in public health. We invite dedicated professionals to join our team in addressing one of society’s most pressing challenges through rigorous science, compassionate education, and a commitment to community well-being.

Duties & Responsibilities:

Position Primary Purpose and General Duties: There is an open post-doctoral scientist position for an enthusiastic and highly motivated individual with the VCU Institute for Drug and Alcohol Studies.

The VCU Institute for Alcohol and Alcohol Studies conducts research across the translational science spectrum related to substance use disorders (SUD), from population-level epidemiologic studies to mechanistic neuroimaging studies. Addiction is a chronic, treatable medical condition with biopsychosocial complexity, and the science that informs interventions targeting addiction warrants a multidisciplinary, collaborative approach. Many IDAS studies are focused on informing the development and implementation of innovative, better treatment options for individuals seeking SUD recovery.

Working primarily with Caitlin E. Martin, MD, the post-doctoral scientist will work on IDAS research-related activities that focus on elucidating the roles biological factors, such as biological sex, neurofunctional and psychosocial contexts play in the recovery of people with opioid and other substance use disorders. Projects are largely focused on employing translational science strategies to identify evidence-based avenues to improve the quality of substance use disorder treatments, such as for opioid use disorder (OUD) medication treatments with buprenorphine. Most studies are NIH funded and include a broad range of methodological approaches, including randomized clinical trials, cohort studies, analyses of nationally representative datasets, qualitative and community-engaged studies.

The current research focus for this open position is dependent on funding streams and may change. However, examples of research focus will on our studies of treatments for comorbid insomnia in buprenorphine-maintained patients with OUD, as well as our community-engagement focused projects aiming to advance the quality of evidence-based SUD treatments for pregnant and postpartum women and their families impacted by SUD. Current studies are investigating both behavioral and pharmacological interventions in these patient populations.

The post-doctoral scientist will work on all aspects of our translational science projects with our multidisciplinary teams, including (but not limited to) assisting with study design, developing and adhering to quality assurance standardized operating procedures, leading data management and analysis procedures, written and oral dissemination of research findings, assisting with regulatory aspects of human subjects research, organizing and leading team communications and study meetings mentoring and teaching student trainees.

Data Management & Quality Assurance - Develop, implement, adhere, oversee, and train study members in all aspects related to data management and quality assurance, such as leading collaborative strategies with study bio-statisticians and their staff (and other partners such as technology-based data collection device representatives), writing standard operating procedures, conducting regular quality checks of research data, and carrying out procedures included in studies’ data sharing and management plans. Supervise student trainees in data management and quality assurance. Assist research study staff with carrying out data collection in congruence with data management and quality assurance plans (e.g., reproducible entry of data into REDCap with participant interactions).

Data Analysis & Illustration - Design and conduct analyses of quantitative and qualitative data for research studies, such as with statistical software (e.g., STATA, SPSS, etc.). Produce data illustrations, such as in tables and figures, for written (e.g., scientific manuscripts, posters, infographics) and oral (e.g., power-point presentations) dissemination. Supervise student trainees in data analysis and illustration.

Regulatory Aspects of Clinical Studies - Develop and update protocols for studies in congruence with regulatory agency standards (e.g., IRB, FDA) and the responsible conduct of human subjects research. Maintain study files in pro-tected electronic databases in line with such standards in a standardized fashion that is up to date with currently approved protocol procedures. Supervise student trainees in regulatory as-pect of clinical studies. Assist research study staff with carrying out data collection in congruence with approved study protocols (e.g., participant recruitment, informed consent, etc.).

Research Finding Dissemination -  Lead writing scientific manuscripts and other dissemination of research results, such as poster and oral presentations, infographics for community dissemination. Supervise student trainees in written and oral dissemination of research. Ensure adherence to author and presenter guidelines for all aspects of research dissemination

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications

Only applicants who do not require current or future sponsorship for employment will be considered

The ideal candidate must have a PhD in a related scientific discipline and interest in both biological mechanisms and psychological drivers of substance use disorders. Verbal and written communication skills in English, as well as being detail-oriented, are essential. Candidate must have an ability to manage and quality check research biomedical data, statistically analyze quantitative data, write publishable manuscripts, write study protocols, and possess skills to communicate and work effectively with others in collaborative efforts. The candidate must have at least one first author publication in order to be considered for the position.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience in working on NIH-funded clinical research projects. Experience in substance use disorder treatment related research or clinical field. Experience mentoring or teaching student trainees in research-related area. Experience in human subjects or translational research. Experience coordinating multi-disciplinary teams. Data analysis skills and experience in both quantitative and qualitative methods.

Salary Range: $63,480

Benefits: All VCU employee types are eligible for a wide array of benefits to support you during your employment at VCU. Consult the benefits website for information on benefits eligibility according to employee type.

FLSA Exemption Status: Exempt

Hours per Week: 40

Flexible Work Arrangement: Hybrid

Rank: Non Faculty

Contact Information: 
Contact Name: Caitlin Martin
Contact Email: Caitlin.Martin@vcuhealth.org