Post-doctoral Associate, Department of Biostatistics, Boston University School of Public Health (2821)

Two-year, renewable post-doctoral position to develop and implement advanced, innovative statistical methods for mobile health and device data collected within a longitudinal population-based cohort. The funded project involves data collected from a smartphone app paired with a smart watch to collect heart rate and step counts. The smartphone app includes surveys of patient-reported outcomes and cognitive and physical function tasks.  In addition, the study includes a clinical trial of smartphone app deployment to test how different deployment strategies impact use. We are particularly interested in applicants who have experience and interest in the following data types: mHealth data, measures of brain health including neuropsychological (NP) testing batteries and brain MRIs and frailty traits. A candidate with knowledge in the following areas is preferred: missing data including heterogeneous amounts of nonrandom missing data, longitudinal data analyses; data mining and analysis of big data; machine learning techniques. However we will consider applicants with expertise in other related research areas. 

The successful applicant will be expected to participate actively both in collaborative mHealth research projects and applied methodological research. The work will involve close collaboration with Biostatistics faculty as well as senior investigators working with the Framingham Heart Study. The position also has potential for teaching opportunities for interested applicants. Successful applicants are highly motivated, dependable, and have excellent communication and writing skills. Strong programming skills are required in languages such as R and/or SAS as well as Perl, and experience with Linux environment. 

The Department of Biostatistics believes that the cultural and social diversity of our faculty, post-docs, staff, and students is vitally important to the distinction and excellence of our research and academic programs. We are eager to have join our ranks a colleague who supports our institutional commitment to ensuring BU is inclusive, equitable, diverse, and a place where all constituents can thrive.   The School of Public Health actively seeks to enrich its student, post-doc, and faculty ranks, recognizing that diversity of experience deepens the intellectual endeavor. We seek to embed—within our curricular and co-curricular activities—the principle that pluralism within a learning community is a source of insight and effectiveness.

Candidates should hold a PhD or equivalent doctoral degree in statistics or biostatistics. Applications will be considered until the position is filled. 

Boston University is an AAU institution with a rich tradition dedicated to inclusion and social justice. We are proud that we were the first American university to award a Ph.D. to a woman and we continue that tradition of educating a diverse and talented student body.  The School of Public Health takes the University’s commitment even further with its own detailed plan for fostering a diverse and inclusive community. 

To apply, please send a resume and cover letter to Dr. Chunyu Liu at [email protected]  with subject line “Application for mHealth Postdoctoral Associate Position: [Your Name]”.

PLEASE DO NOT APPLY THROUGH BOSTON UNIVERSITY HR WEBSITE.

Please note all newly hired staff and faculty, will need to be in compliance with Boston University’s COVID-19 Vaccination and Booster Requirement within 30 days of date of hire.  You must upload your vaccine documentation or request a medical or religious exemption (instructions ).  For further information on the University’s response to COVID-19, please visit the Back2BU site .

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We are a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

Boston, Massachusetts, United States