Post Doc Research Associate

The Sleep Equity Lab is seeking a research scientist to help the lab PI (Michelle Garrison, Professor, Public Health) develop and manage research projects related to sleep health equity – especially as it relates to media use, physical activity, time poverty, and disability justice – as well as to help Dr. Garrison with the analysis and dissemination of findings from past NIH-funded clinical trials of child and adolescent behavioral sleep interventions, and with ongoing methodological research aimed at improving the reach and generalizability of sleep science. Within these activities, opportunities will exist for the research scientist to foster their individual professional interests and develop new skills, and the position is appropriate for either a candidate who is seeking 1) additional mentorship and experience with grant writing and project management as an aid towards the development of their own academic career, and/or 2) a longer term role in project management and evaluation as a research scientist supporting a lab team.

The candidate’s primary responsibility will involve working with the Dr. Garrison to develop and manage lab research projects (at least 60% of their time dedicated to these activities) – including collaborating on the development of grant proposals and study protocols; the training and mentoring of staff, graduate and undergraduate students; and leading lab team members in one of the streams of primary data collection efforts in the lab and subsequent analysis (depending on the skills and interests of the candidate, either 1) psychophysiology sensor data, eye gaze tracking, behavioral video coding, and cognitive testing across different conditions of video game use, mindfulness strategy use, and sleep deprivation, 2) qualitative interviews and focus groups identifying multi-level and modifiable barriers to equitable access to sleep and physical activity, or 3) methodological research regarding treatment effects heterogeneity in health behavior interventions and ways to address this to maximize participation reach as well as internal and external validity. Depending on the research interests and professional goals of the candidate, this aspect of the position could involve the development and submission of a funding proposal to support the candidate’s research career development, such as an NIH F-award, diversity supplement, or pilot grant.

A second major responsibility (at least 25% of their time) will be working with Dr. Garrison to analyze and disseminate findings from a randomized clinical trial of a family-centered sleep intervention on child and parent outcomes (R01HD071937) and from a mechanistic trial of a mindfulness-based harm reduction intervention for early adolescents with late night media use and concomitant sleep problems (R61AT009859). This aspect of the work involves statistical analysis of longitudinal data, and writing journal articles as well as conference abstracts and presentations, intervention manuals, and training materials for broader dissemination. The allocation of the balance of time for the position will be dependent on the skills and interests of the candidate.

The Sleep Equity Lab team has 20-25 members, including a full-time Research Associate lab manager to handle most administrative tasks associated with the lab, and an interdisciplinary mix of graduate students and undergraduate students, drawing students and collaborators from Public Health as well as Human Development and Family Science, Psychology, Health Sciences, Speech Language and Hearing Sciences, Data Science, Statistics, Computer Science, User Experience Design, Industrial Engineering, and Biomedical Engineering. 

Successful candidates must be committed to working with diverse professional and community populations. During months of active primary data collection, some evening and/or weekend hours will be required. Minimum one-year commitment and residence in the West Lafayette area is required. The position has the potential to be renewed for a second year, contingent upon funding and satisfactory performance.

• A Ph.D. in Public Health, Psychology, Kinesiology, Human Computer Interaction, or another related field completed by the start of the employment.
• A strong research interest in sleep, media use, and/or physical activity.
• Training and experience in statistical analysis, at a minimum including linear and logistic regression, although experience with linear mixed models and/or structural equation modeling is preferred.
• Training and experience with qualitative methods is beneficial but not required.
• Skills and experience with tools commonly used for data collection, data management, quantitative analysis, and/or qualitative analysis, such as RedCap, Stata, R, NVivo, and Dedoose.
• Experience with platforms for experimental sleep, psychology, and/or kinesiology research is a strong advantage, such as actigraphy, HRV, EDA, EMG, EEG, force and pressure sensors, eye gaze tracking, cognitive testing (Inquisit, Psytoolkit, Superlab, NIH toolkit etc.).
• Proficiency and experience with task, project, and team management, and able to prioritize across multiple tasks.
• Strong writing, oral, and interpersonal skills, and the readiness to contribute to an inclusive and welcoming lab environment. Bilingual fluency in Spanish or ASL is an advantage but not required.
• Knowledge of IRB, grant writing and other institutions is preferred.

Applications will be reviewed immediately and continue on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Interested candidates should submit:

• Curriculum Vitae.
• Combined cover letter/research statement detailing previous research experience. relevant to the project and project management skills.
• Three letters of recommendation.
• 2 representative first-authored publications (can include in-press publications).

To apply go to:

Questions should be directed to Professor Michelle Garrison ([email protected]).

Purdue University is an EOE/AA employer. All individuals, including minorities, women, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. A background check will be required for employment in this position.