Full-time Postdoctoral Scientist

Virginia Commonwealth University; Richmond (VA); On-site; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, VA is seeking a Post-Doctoral Fellow to join the IDAS team. The role centers on NIH-funded translational science, examining biological, neurofunctional, and psychosocial factors affecting SUD recovery, with a focus on OUD treatments, sleep comorbidities, and perinatal health.

You will lead data management, analysis, and mentoring of trainees. The candidate should hold a PhD, have strong data management and statistics skills (STATA, SPSS), and at

Qualifications

• PhD in a related scientific discipline.
• Strong data management and statistical software skills (STATA, SPSS).
• At least one first-author publication.
• Experience with NIH-funded clinical research preferred; REDCap experience valued.

Responsibilities

• Lead data management and quantitative/qualitative analysis for NIH-funded translational studies.
• Manage regulatory compliance and research governance.
• Publish research findings and mentor student trainees.
• Collaborate with a multidisciplinary research team led by Dr. Caitlin E. Martin.

Skills

Data management

Statistical analysis

STATA

SPSS

First-author publication

Education

PhD in related field

Tools

REDCap

Job description

Advertising Summary

Advertising Summary: The VCU Institute for Drug and AlcoholStudies (IDAS) is seeking an enthusiastic Post-Doctoral Fellow tojoin a dynamic, multidisciplinary research team led by Dr. CaitlinE. Martin. This role focuses on NIH-funded translational scienceprojects exploring how biological, neurofunctional, andpsychosocial factors impact substance use disorder (SUD) recovery,with specific emphasis on opioid use disorder treatments, sleepcomorbidities, and perinatal health. The fellow will lead datamanagement and quantitative/qualitative analysis, manage regulatorycompliance, publish research findings, and mentor student trainees.Qualified candidates must hold a PhD in a related scientificdiscipline, possess strong data management and statistical softwareskills (e.g., STATA, SPSS), and have at least one first-authorpublication. Experience with NIH-funded clinical research andREDCap is preferred. Please note: Only applicants who do notrequire current or future employment sponsorship will beconsidered.

Unit: VP Research MBU

Department: Inst for Drug Alcohol Stud

Department Summary

At the VCU Office of the Vice Presidentfor Research and Innovation, our mission is to fostertransformative research, discovery, and innovation at VirginiaCommonwealth University through excellence in service.

We partner with faculty in all schools and departments as they seekfunding, plan studies, establish collaborations, calculate budgets,submit grant applications, negotiate industry contracts, and securepatents and licensing agreements.

Our commitment to supporting and elevating the research communityat VCU has resulted in record levels of sponsored research and hasplaced VCU among the nation’s premier public researchuniversities.

Through our passion for discovery and willingness to take onchallenges, we continue to advance the work that matters most andposition the university as a national leader in research,innovation, creativity, and scholarship.

About the VCU Institute for Drug and Alcohol Studies (IDAS)

The Institute for Drug and Alcohol Studies (IDAS) at VirginiaCommonwealth University is a premier hub for scientific discovery,dedicated to advancing multidisciplinary research and training onthe neuroscience of addictions and related neurobehavioraldisorders. Located in the heart of Richmond, IDAS bridges the gapbetween the laboratory and clinical practice, utilizingcutting-edge brain-imaging technology and collaborative clinicalstudies to understand how addiction impacts the brain and todevelop life-changing treatments. As a vital part of a nationallyrenowned public research institution, we foster an "UNcommon"environment where diverse perspectives drive innovation in publichealth. We invite dedicated professionals to join our team inaddressing one of society’s most pressing challenges throughrigorous science, compassionate education, and a commitment tocommunity well-being.

Duties & Responsibilities

Position Primary Purpose and General Duties: There is anopen post-doctoral scientist position for an enthusiastic and highly motivated individual with the VCU Institute for Drug andAlcohol Studies.

The VCU Institute for Alcohol and Alcohol Studies conducts researchacross the translational science spectrum related to substance usedisorders (SUD), from population-level epidemiologic studies tomechanistic neuroimaging studies. Addiction is a chronic, treatablemedical condition with biopsychosocial complexity, and the sciencethat informs interventions targeting addiction warrants amultidisciplinary, collaborative approach. Many IDAS studies arefocused on informing the development and implementation ofinnovative, better treatment options for individuals seeking SUDrecovery.

Working primarily with Caitlin E. Martin, MD, the post-doctoralscientist will work on IDAS research-related activities that focuson elucidating the roles biological factors, such as biologicalsex, neurofunctional and psychosocial contexts play in the recoveryof people with opioid and other substance use disorders. Projectsare largely focused on employing translational science strategiesto identify evidence-based avenues to improve the quality ofsubstance use disorder treatments, such as for opioid use disorder(OUD) medication treatments with buprenorphine. Most studies areNIH funded and include a broad range of methodological approaches,including randomized clinical trials, cohort studies, analyses ofnationally representative datasets, qualitative andcommunity-engaged studies.

The current research focus for this open position is dependent onfunding streams and may change. However, examples of research focuswill on our studies of treatments for comorbid insomnia inbuprenorphine-maintained patients with OUD, as well as ourcommunity-engagement focused projects aiming to advance the qualityof evidence-based SUD treatments for pregnant and postpartum womenand their families impacted by SUD. Current studies areinvestigating both behavioral and pharmacological interventions inthese patient populations.

The post-doctoral