POSTDOCTORAL SCHOLAR
Campus/Location: University Park Campus
Campus City: University Park, PA
Date Announced: 02/07/2020
Date Closing: open until filled
Job Number: 93475
Work Unit: College Of Health And Human Development
Department: Center for Childhood Obesity Research
Link to job:
https://psu.jobs/job/93475<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=ht…
DESCRIPTION
Dr. Jennifer Savage Williams, Assistant Professor of Nutritional Sciences, and colleagues
in the Center for Childhood Obesity Research (CCOR,
http://hhd.psu.edu/ccor/<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http…)
at Penn State are seeking a Postdoctoral Scholar to join ongoing projects in the areas of
childhood obesity prevention, responsive parenting, child eating behavior, community
nutrition, and low-income and rural populations. The mission of CCOR is to conduct
interdisciplinary research that contributes to the evidence base needed to inform
successful childhood obesity prevention programs that can then be disseminated to public
health and clinical practice audiences. This individual will join a multi-institutional
interdisciplinary team to support primary project activities and pilot studies. Ongoing
projects at CCOR include: 1) ENCIRCLE, a recently funded PCORI project in collaboration
with Geisinger Health System designed to promote healthy eating and prevent obesity in
high-risk preschool-aged children throughout Pennsylvania; 2) ONE PATH, an NIH funded
interactive intervention that targets early childhood educators, parents, and teachers,
using technology, classroom education, and home visitation to improve Head Start
preschoolers' self-regulation of eating; 3) INSIGHT, an NIH-funded RCT of a
responsive parenting intervention to prevent obesity in infancy, which is now following
participants into middle childhood; 4) the WEE Baby Care Study, a HRSA-funded trial to
evaluate coordination of care between pediatricians and WIC nutritionists to prevent early
childhood obesity; and e) a number of pilot projects. The Postdoctoral Scholar will gain
experience, knowledge and skills in developing and implementing behavioral interventions
using a variety of delivery modes, performing advanced data analysis, preparing
manuscripts and grant proposals, and mentoring graduate and undergraduate students.
Primary responsibilities of the candidate will depend on candidate skills, interests and
goals, as well as fit with the research priorities. Responsibilities may include, but are
not limited to: developing intervention curriculum and materials; developing study
protocols; training staff to deliver interventions; developing and overseeing intervention
fidelity monitoring systems; study coordination; data collection, management and analysis;
preparation of presentations and manuscripts; development of grant proposals; and
supervision of graduate students and wage-payroll student employees. This individual would
rely on guidance from the Center Director and Principal Investigators. This position will
work primarily on collaborative projects but will also have effort directed towards
independent research projects. The Postdoctoral Scholar will be provided with some
financial support to develop independent research projects. Some travel to community
settings may be required to train interventionists. The Postdoctoral Scholar will have
extensive opportunities to publish, access to CCOR facilities to conduct his/her research
and be provided some support for travel to disseminate scientific findings at national
conferences. CCOR combines the research strengths of the College of Health and Human
Development, including preventive interventions; attention to biology, behavior, and
family relationships; medical and community partnerships; and real time ecological
momentary assessment of health via data from sensors, accelerometers, and smartphone
technology. The successful candidate will join a dynamic team at CCOR that currently
consists of center director Dr. Savage Williams, 1 research faculty member, 3 graduate
students, 3 full-time research staff, 3 nutrition educators, an administrative assistant,
and a number of undergraduate research assistants. We work closely with a number of other
units throughout Penn State including the departments of Nutritional Sciences
(
http://nutrition.hhd.psu.edu/<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u…)qprES453aqSruo5s3k&e=>),
Biobehavioral Health
(
http://bbh.hhd.psu.edu/<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-…)s5g3gvn5cgOTRmXBMc&e=>),
Human Development and Family Studies
(
http://hhd.psu.edu/hdfs<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-…)w7985yVv8G86WFCK0I&e=>),
and Kinesiology
(
http://hhd.psu.edu/kines<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http…)nuKO1XLrqza7bm6Dqc&e=>),
the Social Sciences Research Institute
(
http://ssri.psu.edu/<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A_…)eNxyB36vmg4YhrM0f0&e=>),
and the Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute
(
http://ctsi.psu.edu/<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A_…)kGgqvrkn-UNZe7Hcds&e=>),
as well as with colleagues at Penn State College of Medicine, and government and community
organizations throughout Pennsylvania. The initial position is guaranteed for one year;
funding is available for yearly appointments contingent upon satisfaction performance. The
position provides salary and benefits based on those for NIH postdoctoral fellow.
Candidates will have a PhD in nutrition, public health, human development and family
studies, psychology, or a related field. We are especially interested in candidates with
experience in intervention development and delivery and/or strong quantitative and
analytical skills, with proficiency in SAS preferred. To be considered for the position
please submit a cover letter, CV and research statement, along with the names of 3
academic references. The position will remain open until filled, but review will begin
March 1, 2020.
CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS: Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus
Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn
State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR
includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as
those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual
assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review at
https://police.psu.edu/annual-security-reports<https://urldefense.proofp…9rooC2LcobaxQjv29lo&e=>.
EEO Is The Law
Penn State is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer, and is committed to
providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race,
color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin,
disability or protected veteran status.