About Drexel

Drexel is a comprehensive global research university ranked among the top 100 in the nation. With over 24,000 students, Drexel is one of America’s 15 largest private universities. Drexel is one of Philadelphia’s top 10 private employers, and a major engine for economic development in the region. Drexel has committed to being the nation’s most civically engaged university, with community partnerships integrated into every aspect of service and academics.

Job Summary

The College of Nursing and Health Professions at Drexel University in Philadelphia, PA seeks candidates for postdoctoral research fellowships. Postdoctoral fellows will join interprofessional teams engaged in clinical and community-based research to impact health and wellness of individuals and communities. Research programs within the College utilize biopsychosocial models, innovative designs and approaches including engagement of stakeholders in the research process. There is a strong interest in aging and dementia, health disparities, community health and prevention; health care quality, prevention-based interventions, and implementation science.
The initial appointment will be for one year, with the potential for funding to be extended a second year. Decisions regarding fellowship extensions will be based on scholarly productivity, mid-year and year-end progress reports, and availability of resources. The position provides salary and benefits consistent with NIH postdoctoral fellows.

Application:
Communication with a potential mentor is encouraged prior to submitting an application.
• Personal Statement
The statement should be 2-3 pages double spaced and include:
o Career objectives/research goals
o Specific research interest
o Potential mentor
o Plans for the fellowship, including the knowledge, skills, and competencies the applicant seeks to obtain
• Curriculum Vitae
• Three (3) letters of recommendation
• Official Transcript from PhD program

Questions about application procedures should be directed to: Darin Dunston 267-359-5927 darin.dunston@drexel.edu

Please submit all materials as a single PDF document to: Darin Dunston darin.dunston@drexel.edu

Essential Functions

Opportunities for Fellowships exist in the following research programs:

• Aging and behavioral interventions (Dr. Rose Ann DiMaria-Ghalili rad83@drexel.edu, Dr. Laura N. Gitlin) Post-doctoral fellows will have the opportunity to participate in and contribute to impactful use-inspired interdisciplinary aging research in the thematic areas of high relevance to older adults, their families, healthcare and payment systems, communities and policy makers. Thematic areas include: preventing and managing chronic conditions, enhancing active and purposeful living, enabling aging in place in home and communities; family caregiving; dementia care; implementation science.
• Food for Health (Dr. Jonathan Deutsch st96d633@drexel.edu, Dr. Brandy-Joe Milliron bm645@drexel.edu) Food for Health centers on interprofessional collaboration and integrates research and practice in nutrition, culinary arts, and food technology for disease prevention, management and healthy recovery. The postdoctoral fellow will work at the intersection of food and health to better understand the socio-cultural aspects of food and nutrition: challenges, desires, and lifestyles of individuals with diverse health conditions. That understanding translates to interventions that can be tested and scaled, including education, messaging, food systems design and the development of novel food products that can assist in achieving health outcomes. Emotional outcomes and social cohesion for people with chronic conditions and their caregivers, families and communities is another through-line of our Food for Health research.
•  Integrative Nutrition Interventions (Dr. Deeptha Sukumar, deeptha.sukumar@drexel.edu) The post-doctoral fellow will engage in understanding the role of nutrition in influencing cardiometabolic, bone and psychosocial health. They will participate in integrative nutrition interventions, clinical trials, wet lab activities, acquire grant preparation skills, data analysis, as well as co-author and publish scholarly articles.
• Biopsychosocial factors for community engagement in individuals with newly acquired mobility impairments (Dr. Margaret Finley, maf378@drexel.edu) Post-doctoral fellows will participate in and contribute to impactful interdisciplinary mixed methods research aimed at mitigation of secondary conditions in persons with chronic health conditions, impairments, activity, and participation limitations. Specifically, our ongoing work is in the development of interventions and physical activity programs to reduce pain interference, enhance psychological and social well-being, and foster community engagement in individuals with newly acquired mobility impairments. Post-doctoral fellow opportunities include clinical trial development, implementation of research activities and study management, acquisition of scholarly writing and grant preparation skills.
• Each fellow is appointed a faculty mentor. Postdoctoral research fellows will work with research teams on existing or newly developed research projects. They assist with grant proposals, data management and analysis; preparation of manuscripts, and conference presentations. Fellows are mentored for leadership roles on interprofessional research teams. Fellows have access to faculty and college resources, are provided opportunities to publish, and are supported to conduct their own research including assistance with grant-writing or project planning for the next stage of their research careers. An individualized plan is developed to achieve the knowledge, skills, and competencies needed to become a successful independent investigator.Required Qualifications
• PhD or Doctorate
• Related experience or education requirement
• Fellowships are open to eligible US citizen and international applicants. Minority and women applicants are encouraged to apply.

Preferred Qualifications

• Commitment to a research career.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, and the proven ability to liaise with key stakeholders.
• Ability to work independently and be proactive and innovative.
• Excellent organizational and planning skills, including the ability to prioritize a range of tasks and meet deadlines.
• A willingness to learn, be a collaborative team member.

Location

Center City, Philadelphia, PA

Additional Information

This position is classified as Exempt with a salary grade of I. For more information regarding Drexel’s Professional Staff salary structure, https://drexel.edu/hr/career/ducomp/salstructure/

Special Instructions to the Applicant

Please make sure you upload your CV/resume and cover letter when submitting your application.

Review of applicants will begin once a suitable candidate pool is identified.