Health Policy and Genetics Postdoctoral Fellow

University of Calgary; Calgary; On-site; CAD 60,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Calgary seeks a Postdoctoral Scholar in Genomic and Pharmacogenetic Policy to lead a policy scan and comparative analysis. The role involves engaging with stakeholders and contributing to research outcomes that inform policy recommendations in health policy and genomics.

Benefits

Health Benefits

Qualifications

• PhD completed within the past five years or expected by start date.
• Experience in health or social policy research preferred.
• Proven track record of scholarly achievement.

Responsibilities

• Conduct a systematic review and comparative analysis of provincial policies.
• Design and implement a stakeholder engagement strategy.
• Lead knowledge mobilization strategies and prepare peer-reviewed publications.

Skills

Qualitative Research

Policy Analysis

Stakeholder Engagement

Education

PhD in health sciences

Tools

NVivo

Microsoft Office

Job description

Description

Area: Health Policy & Cumming School of Medicine

Duration: 1 year with renewal

Start Date: July 1 2025

Salary: $60,000 CAD per annum, plus University of Calgary Plan C health benefits

The School of Public Policy and Cumming School of Medicine at the University of Calgary is accepting applications for a Postdoctoral Scholar (PDS) in Genomic and Pharmacogenetic Policy and Implementation.

Mental health disorders are highly heritable with recent research focusing on identifying genetic and pharmacogenetic risk and protective factors to inform effective approaches to risk stratification and targeted interventions. The clinical implications and utilization of this information is evolving, along with the public perceptions. Cross-ministry policy and services have an important role to play in integrating relevant genetic findings into clinical workflows to improve mental health and well-being outcomes. Ongoing work at the University of Calgary has produced strong evidence for the value of increasing accessibility to evidence-based pharmacogenetic testing for children and youth requiring psychiatric medications. Provincial policy and service capacity for pharmacogenetic testing varies across jurisdictions. This PDS position focuses on mapping policies across provinces and identifying evidence-based policies and prevention strategies internationally.

This work will have an important role in supporting researchers, community partners and government to work together and build capacity to integrate indicators into measurement and monitoring of service delivery. This research program is embedded within the Canadian Precision Health Initiative which is funded through Genome Canada, with a vision for generating population-level genomic data.

PDS supervision will be provided by: (1) Dr. Jennifer Zwicker, Director of Health and Social Policy, School of Public Policy (2) Dr. Chad Bousman, Professor, Department of Medical Genetics, Cumming School of Medicine and (3) Dr. Paul Arnold, Professor, Department of Psychiatry, Cumming School of Medicine. This fellowship is embedded in a research program with extensive connections to local community partners and national research networks.

Job Description:

We are seeking a highly motivated and detail-oriented Postdoctoral Scholar to lead a cross-jurisdictional policy scan and comparative analysis on the Ethical, Environmental, Economic, Legal, and Social (GE³LS) aspects of genomics and pharmacogenomic. The successful candidate will work at the intersection of health policy, ethics, and innovation systems to explore how provincial and international policy environments shape the development, implementation, and public trust in genomics and pharmacogenomic research and its applications. This position will contribute to a multidisciplinary program of research focused on the governance, adoption, and responsible innovation of emerging genomic and pharmacogenomic technologies. Research outcomes will inform policy recommendations and the PDS will work closely with partners and with community and government stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities:

Policy Scan, Mapping, and Comparative Analysis

• Refine research questions and methodological approaches related to a cross-jurisdictional policy scan on the ethical, environmental, economic, legal, and social (GE³LS) dimensions of genomics and pharmacogenomics.
• Conduct a systematic review and comparative analysis of provincial policies, regulatory frameworks, and strategic plans related to GE³LS across Canada.
• Identify key differences and similarities in governance, legal instruments, funding incentives, environmental safeguards, and social equity considerations across jurisdictions.
• Extend the policy scan internationally to identify promising models and best practices from global contexts, with relevance to Canadian applications.

Stakeholder Engagement and Key Informant Interviews

• Design and implement a robust stakeholder engagement strategy, including the recruitment and interviewing of key informants such as policy-makers, regulators, researchers, Indigenous representatives, and community leaders.
• Analyze and synthesize interview data to contextualize policy environments and enrich the comparative analysis.
• Provide leadership and mentorship in conducting stakeholder consultations, including potential supervision of junior research assistants or trainees.

Knowledge Translation and Dissemination

• Lead and contribute to knowledge mobilization strategies, including the development of policy briefs, briefing notes, and synthesized reports for government and community audiences.
• Organize and support webinars, stakeholder dialogues, and policy engagement events to disseminate findings and promote uptake.

Actively contribute to the preparation and submission of peer-reviewed journal articles and conference presentations, with opportunities to serve as lead author on publications arising from the project. Presentation and communication of research and research results to a variety of audiences and in different venues is also involved (i.e. presentations at conferences, workshops, team meetings as well as in various written publications). Peak times will occur near deadlines for reporting analysis and results to project stakeholders.

Opportunities for applied training are available, related to statistical methods, qualitative inquiry and stakeholder engagement, policy analysis, grant writing, student supervision, knowledge translation of clinical research into practice and policy and multi-stakeholder collaboration with a range of investigators (policy analysts, epidemiologists, geneticists, psychologists, qualitative researchers, legal analysts, statisticians and health service agencies).

Qualifications:

• A PhD in health sciences, health services research, public policy, or a related field, completed within the past five years or expected by the start of the postdoctoral appointment.
• Demonstrated ability to design and execute research on complex, multi-faceted issues; prior experience in health or social policy research is strongly preferred.
• Proficiency in qualitative research methods, including conducting interviews and facilitating focus groups; experience using qualitative analysis software (e.g., NVivo) is an asset.
• Strong understanding of experimental design, scientific inquiry, and both qualitative and evaluative methodologies.
• Proven track record of scholarly achievement, including peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations in relevant disciplines.
• Experience developing knowledge mobilization materials and communicating research findings to diverse audiences, including policy-makers, practitioners, and community partners.
• Experience in comparative policy analysis, particularly in relation to the ethical, environmental, economic, legal, and social (GE³LS) aspects of genomics or health-related research.
• Familiarity with interdisciplinary research approaches and stakeholder engagement processes; prior experience conducting interviews with decision-makers is an asset.
• Previous research experience in one or more of the following areas is an asset: genomics, pharmacogenomics, mental health, disability studies, or public health policy.
• Demonstrated organizational and time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines with minimal supervision.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and other relevant digital tools used for research and communication.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including scientific writing, policy reporting, and presenting to academic and non-academic audiences.
• Strong interpersonal and teamwork skills, with a collaborative mindset and interest in mentoring trainees or supporting a research team.

Application Details:

• Statement of interest (limit 1 page) summarizing your relevant experience, career goals, and description of how postdoc training will contribute to these goals
• Curriculum Vitae
• List of two (2) references (reference letters will be required for final decisions) who are familiar with your scholarly work
• Two (2) writing samples (published or unpublished) that best exemplify your scholarly work, along with an explanation of your role in each sample.

Applications will be considered until the position is filled.

Please contact to Drs. Jennifer Zwicker [e-mail] if you have any questions.

The terms and conditions of employment are covered under the UCalgary and PDAC Collective Agreement. To find out more about postdoctoral scholar program at the University of Calgary visit our Postdocs website.

To learn more about postdoctoral scholar opportunities at the University of Calgary, view ourPostdoc Careers website.

About the University of Calgary

UCalgary is Canada's entrepreneurial university, located in Canada's most enterprising city. It is a top research university and one of the highest-ranked universities of its age. Founded in 1966, its 36,000 students experience an innovative learning environment, made rich by research, hands-on experiences and entrepreneurial thinking. It is Canada's leader in the creation of start-ups. Start something today at the University of Calgary. For more information, visit ucalgary.ca.

About Calgary, Alberta

Calgary is one of the world's cleanest cities and has been named one of the world's most livable cities for years. Calgary is a city of leaders' in business, community, philanthropy and volunteerism. Calgarians benefit from the strongest economy in the nation and enjoy more days of sunshine per year than any other major Canadian city. Calgary is less than an hour's drive from the Rocky Mountains and boasts the most extensive urban pathway and bikeway network in North America.

The University of Calgary has launched an institution-wide Indigenous Strategy committing to creating a rich, vibrant, and culturally competent campus that welcomes and supports Indigenous Peoples, encourages Indigenous community partnerships, is inclusive of Indigenous perspectives in all that we do.

As an equitable and inclusive employer, the University of Calgary recognizes that a diverse staff/faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers that have been historically encountered by some people in our society. We strive to recruit individuals who will further enhance our diversity and will support their academic and professional success while they are here. In particular, we encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible/racialized minorities, and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to apply. To ensure a fair and equitable assessment, we offer accommodation at any stage during the recruitment process to applicants with disabilities. Questions regarding [diversity] EDI at UCalgary can be sent to the Office of Institutional Commitments ([e-mail]) and requests for accommodations can be sent to Human Resources ([e-mail]).