Description
Area: Health Services Research in Head & Neck Cancer
Duration: 1 year, with possibility of extending to 2 years
Start Date: June 1, 2025
Salary: 70,000$CAD per annum, plus University of Calgary Plan C health benefits
The Department of Community Health Sciences in the Cumming School of Medicine at the University of Calgary is accepting applications for a Postdoctoral Scholar in Head & Neck Health Services Research.
Job Description:
The Ohlson Research Initiative (ORI) is focused on clinical effectiveness research that informs evidence-based care of patients with head and neck cancer. The ORI works in collaboration with the Arnie Charbonneau Cancer Institute, the O¿Brien Institute of Public Health, and the Cumming School of Medicine (Departments of Surgery & Oncology) at the University of Calgary.
As a member of the ORI, under the supervision of Dr. Khara Sauro (Ohlson Professor of Head and Neck Health Services Research), Dr. Rui Fu (Assistant Professor in Community Health Sciences, Surgery & Oncology) and Dr. Joseph Dort (Professor Emeritus in Surgery), the postdoctoral fellow will perform research that ultimately improves the care and health of these patients. Within this role, the postdoctoral fellow will be encouraged and supported to build and strengthen their independent program of research. To this end, the successful applicant will be supported, and expected, to apply for external awards locally and nationally.
The primary purpose of this role is to conduct clinical effectiveness research in head and neck cancer. The postdoctoral fellow will advance the research portfolio of the ORI, specifically the health services research portfolio. The postdoctoral fellow will lead research, under the supervision of the Principal Investigators, which will include assisting with writing grant applications, completing ethics applications, conceptualizing and designing research studies, executing research studies and disseminating the findings (including writing manuscripts and presenting findings to stakeholders). Given the ORI is founded on principles of collaboration and multidisciplinary research the postdoctoral fellow will also liaise with all relevant stakeholders throughout the research process. Specific duties are listed below
- Conceptualize and design research studies
- Participate in design and development of research processes including identification of methodologies, generation of detailed research protocols and procedures, recruitment strategies, and data analysis processes
- Assist with ethics applications
- Lead data acquisition, including patient recruitment
- Prepare reports and write manuscripts resulting from research activities
- Assist with grant applications for new research projects
- Collaborate and work with internal and external stakeholders. Establish and maintain effective, productive relationships with staff, peers, immediate supervisor, and senior management and with the campus community
- Manages time effectively and ensures Principal Investigator is kept informed of activities, and progress of work
- Demonstrated strong communication, team and customer service skills, and an ability to exercise judgment within established guidelines.
Qualifications:
PhD, MD or equivalent degree completed within 3 years of the beginning of the appointment. If degree is still pending it must be awarded before May 31, 2025. Must be interested in pursuing health services research in head and neck cancer (specifically related to head and neck surgical care is an asset).
Methodological skill sets
- Knowledge of and experience with a variety of health services research methods
- Knowledge of and experience with knowledge synthesis methodology an asset
- Knowledge of secondary data sources for research such as electronic medical records, administrative data and national health survey data an asset
- Skills in statistical software (Stata, SAS, or R preferable) and database management an asset
- Excellent organization skills, including the ability to work independently and to multitask
- Excellent attention to details is a must
- High level of effective time management, personal initiative, and teamwork
- Exceptional written and oral communication skills is essential
- Strong team skills as this position will have a high degree of interaction/contact with patients, clinicians, researchers, students, and other stakeholders
- Strong interpersonal skills and professional demeanor
- Ability to thrive and deliver results in a fast-paced team environment
- Intermediate to advanced skills in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint), advanced internet skills
Application Details:
Qualified candidates are invited to submit their cover letter, curriculum vitae, brief description of research experience and interest (2 pages), and contact information for three referees in one PDF file to Michelle Cavanaugh (cavanaug@ucalgary.ca) Please contact Dr. Rui Fu (rui.fu@ucalgary.ca) for any further information and questions about applying.
The terms and conditions of employment are covered under the UCalgary and PDAC Collective Agreement. To find out more about postdoctoral scholar program at the University of Calgary visit our Postdocs website.
To learn more about postdoctoral scholar opportunities at the University of Calgary, view our Postdoc Careers website.
About the University of Calgary
UCalgary is Canada's entrepreneurial university, located in Canada's most enterprising city. It is a top research university and one of the highest-ranked universities of its age. Founded in 1966, its 36,000 students experience an innovative learning environment, made rich by research, hands-on experiences and entrepreneurial thinking. It is Canada's leader in the creation of start-ups. Start something today at the University of Calgary. For more information, visit ucalgary.ca.
About Calgary, Alberta
Calgary is one of the world's cleanest cities and has been named one of the world's most livable cities for years. Calgary is a city of leaders' in business, community, philanthropy and volunteerism. Calgarians benefit from the strongest economy in the nation and enjoy more days of sunshine per year than any other major Canadian city. Calgary is less than an hour's drive from the Rocky Mountains and boasts the most extensive urban pathway and bikeway network in North America.
The University of Calgary has launched an institution-wide Indigenous Strategy committing to creating a rich, vibrant, and culturally competent campus that welcomes and supports Indigenous Peoples, encourages Indigenous community partnerships, is inclusive of Indigenous perspectives in all that we do.
As an equitable and inclusive employer, the University of Calgary recognizes that a diverse staff/faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers that have been historically encountered by some people in our society. We strive to recruit individuals who will further enhance our diversity and will support their academic and professional success while they are here. In particular, we encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible/racialized minorities, and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to apply. To ensure a fair and equitable assessment, we offer accommodation at any stage during the recruitment process to applicants with disabilities. Questions regarding [diversity] EDI at UCalgary can be sent to the Office of Institutional Commitments (equity@ucalgary.ca) and requests for accommodations can be sent to Human Resources (hrhire@ucalgary.ca).
