Postdoctoral Research Fellow

Academic

Job Category
Faculty Non Bargaining

Job Profile
Postdoctoral Research Fellow

Job Title
Postdoctoral Research Fellow

Department
Brussoni Laboratory | Department of Paediatrics | Faculty of Medicine

Compensation Range
$1.00 - $500,000.00 CAD Monthly

Posting End Date
February 29, 2024

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the day prior to the Posting End Date above.

Job End Date

Mar 31, 2025

Equity and diversity are essential to academic excellence. An open and diverse community fosters the inclusion of voices that have been underrepresented or discouraged. We encourage applications from members of groups that have been marginalized on any grounds enumerated under the B.C. Human Rights Code, including sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialization, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or status as a First Nation, Metis, Inuit, or Indigenous person. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however Canadians and permanent residents of Canada will be given priority.

This offer is conditional upon successful completion of a Criminal Record Check.

This position is located within a health-care facility, therefore, the successful candidate will be required to provide verification of full vaccination against Covid-19 provided prior to the start date, as required by a provincial health mandate.

Applications are invited for a post-doctoral fellow (PDF) position at the University of British Columbia (UBC). The successful candidate will be working with Dr. Mariana Brussoni, Director of the Human Early Learning Program, School of Population and Public Health; and, Professor in the Department of Pediatrics. Research activities will occur at the BC Children’s Hospital.

This is a full-time position (FTE 1.0) for 1 year at a salary of $80,000 FTE.

JOB SUMMARY

The Outside Play Lab is led by Dr. Mariana Brussoni in the Department of Pediatrics. We are dedicated to studying and promoting children’s outdoor play with the aim of understanding the influences of outdoor play on children. More specifically, we examine the intricate connections between outdoor play and child development, exploring the roles of various stakeholders, including parents, caregivers, educators, and policymakers in shaping children's play opportunities. We're committed to understanding how outdoor environments, encompassing play spaces and neighbourhoods, can be optimized to bolster outdoor play. Additionally, our research initiatives extend to informing policies that actively promote and support outdoor play among children of diverse backgrounds.

The Outside Play Lab is currently engaged in three multi-year research projects. The PROmoting Early Childhood Outside (PRO-ECO) 1.0 project partnered closely with the YMCA of Greater Vancouver and co-developed a program with the aim of improving the time and quality of children’s outdoor play in the setting of early learning and child care (ELCC). In this randomized controlled trial, eight YMCA centres were assigned to implement the program at different time points. Data collection and cleaning are completed and we are analyzing the data and preparing to share our findings. Building upon the groundwork laid by the PRO-ECO 1.0, in PRO-ECO 2.0, we are currently working with 10 ELCC centres throughout BC to co-create and implement the program. Through collaboration with Indigenous organizations, elders and partners, this study explores how the PRO-ECO program impacts both children and educators, drawing valuable lessons and principles to ensure the program’s wider applicability and feasibility in various ELCC settings. A third project, titled ‘Measuring Early Childhood Outside’ (MECO), completed data collection in Fall 2023 and is currently undergoing data analysis. This study includes a national survey distributed to licensed, full-day child care programs across Canada delivering group care for children before primary school age. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected to understand the current provisions for outdoor play in Canadian childcare programs. Further analyses and manuscripts from this research will be produced over the next year. Additional grant applications are under review and may result in additional projects in the lab.

We are actively seeking a PDF to collaborate with Dr. Mariana Brussoni and the Outside Play lab team. The ideal candidate will spearhead data analysis and knowledge dissemination objectives within our ongoing project missions. This entails leading comprehensive analyses incorporating qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods approaches to elucidate the outcomes of the PRO-ECO 1.0 and 2.0 projects, as well as the MECO project. As a key contributor, the PDF will be responsible for initial manuscript drafts. Furthermore, the PDF will play a pivotal role in distilling our findings into accessible reports for diverse audiences, ensuring widespread dissemination of our research findings. The successful candidate will actively engage with our team, contributing expertise to research analyses and advancing our mission of promoting outdoor play among children across diverse communities. The work will be interdisciplinary and collaborative, involving a dynamic team of researchers, trainees, and early child educators consisting of partners from Indigenous and racialized groups. Through the completion of this position, the PDF will refine their skills in data analyses, knowledge dissemination, mentorship, as well as some elements of project management.

QUALIFICATIONS

• A doctoral degree in a relevant field (e.g., Population and Public Health, Psychology, or similar area of study).

• Strong expertise in the design, implementation, and analysis of mixed methods study designs.  

• In-depth knowledge of fundamental statistical concepts, methods, and techniques and experience with quantitative statistical analysis software (SPSS, STATA, SAS or R).

• Familiarity with randomized controlled trial design and analysis will be considered a great asset.

• Experience in manuscript development and writing.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

• Superior organizational skills, ability to prioritize, and work effectively under pressure to meet deadlines.

• Experience in project leadership and management.

• Ability to work effectively independently and in a team environment.

• Exceptional communication and collaboration skills.

Our research team is committed to fostering an inclusive environment where all voices are heard. We encourage applications from individuals who have been marginalized based on various grounds. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply and contribute to our aim of advancing reproductive health equity for all.

HOW TO APPLY

Please submit a 1-2 page cover letter highlighting your experience in qualification criteria noted above, and your CV as a single PDF file. Please submit your application directly via Workday from this link.

The start date for the position is flexible, but would preferably be no later than April 1, 2024.

The PDF will work directly with the Principal Investigator (Dr. Brussoni), and interact with other members of the research team.

Desired start date: April 1, 2024

Duration: 1 year

Contract Type: F/T