Postdoctoral Position in Indigenous and Global Health Research Group

The Indigenous and Global Health Research Group (IGHRG) led by Dr. Sangita Sharma, the Canada Research Chair in Population Health, Professor in Indigenous and Global Health Research Group in the Department of Medicine at the University of Alberta is currently accepting applications for postdoctoral positions with the team. The IGHRG is a multi-disciplinary research group of 25+ staff that was established by Dr. Sharma in 2010. Dr. Sharma and the team have an extensive international background working with over 22 populations in various countries worldwide but now primarily focus on working with Indigenous and/or ethnic minority populations in Alberta, British Columbia, Northwest Territories (NT), and Nunavut (NU). Current funded projects include: assessing health and wellness and access to healthcare services with Indigenous seniors and Elders living in NT; maternal and infant health care and outcomes for Indigenous populations in NT; identifying the barriers to and opportunities for improving access to healthcare services for Indigenous populations in NT to inform culturally appropriate programming to improve patient experiences; capturing the anticipated and unanticipated consequences of COVID-19 preventive measures with Indigenous communities in NU and NT; working with NT Indigenous communities to understand the perspectives of community members toward HPV, HPV vaccination along with attitudes towards and experience with the COVID-19 vaccine; assessing side effects and experience of COVID-19 vaccination among NT and NU Indigenous communities; gathering culturally safe recommendations for increasing trust in public health prevention measures in northern Indigenous communities; and working with 25 NT and NU communities to explore community immunity from COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccination as well as gather recommendations to support future pandemic preparedness in Arctic Canada. These projects offer exciting opportunities to contribute to the current dynamic health situation and toward improving the health and wellness of Indigenous communities in Canada.

In consultation with Dr. Sharma and the Executive Director of the IGHRG, Dr. Fariba Kolahdooz, the Postdoctoral Fellow will join the Edmonton-based research team in undertaking research combining health promotion, chronic disease prevention, community-based interventions, and assessment methodologies for Indigenous and ethnic minority populations. The successful candidate will function as a junior investigator, participating fully in research and related scholarly activities and will be encouraged and receive guidance to apply for independent salary and research funding. This position will receive ample opportunities to be involved in all aspects of important research projects, to co-author scientific publications, and for training on how to write and submit large grant applications to national funding organizations, including the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.

Work environment: It is anticipated the position will primarily involve working remotely off-campus. Travel to communities in Northwest Territories and Nunavut is expected.

Start date: Ongoing

Length of contract: Six months to two years

Expected hours: 40 hours/week

The ideal candidate will:

• Execute research activities including the design and implementation of projects
• Develop research methods and objectives and conduct activities related to community-based participatory research projects
• Contribute to and/or lead the preparation and submission of sound grant proposals and applications
• Ensure that deliverables for each research project are identified, and the timeline is adhered to accordingly
• Have experience with both quantitative and qualitative research methods
• Use SAS and NVivo to analyze quantitative and qualitative data
• Contribute to writing peer-reviewed scientific manuscripts
• Interpret and re-write technical information regarding research techniques and outcomes to make them easier to understand to relevant stakeholders (community, government, funders, etc.)
• Work closely and cooperatively with project staff
• Consult with principal investigators, co-principal investigators, project partners, community stakeholders, and staff

Qualifications:

• PhD in a related public health science
• PhD completed within 0-5 years
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English
• Qualitative and Quantitative data analysis experience
• Experience using SAS and NVivo software
• Strong data management skills for the preparation of research papers and grant proposals
• Excellent networking skills and sensitivity, in order to liaise with community partners, co-principal investigators and internal and external team members
• Experience working with Indigenous, ethnic minority, and/or vulnerable populations and knowledge of cultural protocol is an asset
• A beginning record of publications (3 publications in preparation or submitted)
• A research proposal development plan for provincial and national funding competitions for postdoctoral awards
• Strong analytical, critical thinking, organization, and leadership skills
• Advanced knowledge of various analysis software packages
• Experience in community-based participatory and intervention research

Read more about the Indigenous & Global Health Research Group here: whyactnow.ca

To apply please email complete applications to: [email protected].

Completed applications must include the following:

• A one-page cover letter
• The candidate’s Curriculum Vitae
• Contact details for 3 professional referees

No interviews will be conducted in person; all will be done via Zoom.