Postdoctoral Fellow - Anesthesiology & PeriOperative Medicine

University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 64,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center seeks a highly motivated Postdoctoral Research Fellow to join our perioperative research program focused on sleep, circadian and brain health, delirium and related perioperative neurocognitive disorders in surgical populations.

This role leads interdisciplinary translational research combining clinical datasets, actigraphy, EEG, biomarkers, and computational analysis to advance understanding of perioperative brain vulnerability and recovery.

Qualifications

• PhD in Neuroscience, Biostatistics, Biomedical Engineering, Data Science, Nursing, Epidemiology, or related quantitative field.
• Strong programming skills in R (required); proficiency in MATLAB and/or Python, SAS and/or SPSS preferred.
• Demonstrated expertise in advanced statistical methods (e.g., mixed-effects modeling, longitudinal analyses, survival analysis, causal inference).
• Track record of peer-reviewed publications in neuroscience, sleep/circadian science, clinical translational research, biomedical engineering or data science.
• Strong scientific writing, data visualization, and oral communication skills.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively in a multidisciplinary, team-based research environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex statistical analyses and predictive modeling of large perioperative datasets.
• Develop actigraphy, EEG protocols and algorithms for patient data processing.
• Conduct time-series analyses of sleep and circadian disruptions.
• Perform multivariate analyses integrating clinical, biomarker, and cognitive data.
• Design computational approaches to analyze neuroimaging and electrophysiological data.
• Manage and analyze data collected through REDCap and clinical databases.
• Create data visualizations and interactive dashboards for dissemination.
• Contribute to mechanistic studies on perioperative brain health.
• Analyze biomarkers related to neuroinflammation, gut microbiome, and neurodegeneration.
• Integrate multi-modal data to elucidate pathways of perioperative brain vulnerability.
• Collaborate with neuroscience and translational research teams.
• Coordinate clinical research protocols and ensure regulatory compliance.
• Supervise data collection and quality assurance processes.
• Mentor junior researchers and research staff.
• Lead manuscript preparation and contribute to grant applications.
• Present findings at national and international conferences.

Skills

R programming

Statistical modeling

Data visualization

Collaboration & teamwork

Education

PhD in Neuroscience or related field

Tools

MATLAB

Python

SAS

SPSS

Job description

We are seeking a highly motivated and collaborative Postdoctoral Research Fellow to join our dynamic perioperative research program focused on sleep/ circadian and brain health, delirium and related perioperative neurocognitive disorders in surgical populations. This position offers an exceptional opportunity to lead and contribute to cutting‑edge translational research at the intersection of neuroscience, sleep medicine, perioperative care, digital health, and data science.

The successful candidate will spearhead innovative and interdisciplinary research investigating the neurobiological mechanisms underlying perioperative delirium, sleep disturbances, circadian dysfunction, and cognitive impairment in surgical populations. This work integrates large‑scale clinical datasets, multimodal physiological measures (e.g., sleep, actigraphy, cognition, mobility/gait, gut microbiome/biomarkers), and advanced computational and statistical approaches to advance our understanding of perioperative brain vulnerability, resilience, and recovery.

This position is ideally suited for candidates with a strong background in neuroscience, sleep and circadian science, aging, cognitive health, nursing, biomechanics, rehabilitation sciences, biomedical engineering, epidemiology, data science, biostatistics, or related fields, with experience conducting hypothesis‑driven clinical, translational, or computational research in human populations.

All duties and responsibilities are carried out in compliance with institutional policies, ethical research standards, and applicable federal and state regulations.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Data Science & Advanced Analytics (70%)

• Lead complex statistical analyses and predictive modeling of large perioperative datasets using R, SAS, and SPSS
• Develop and implement actigraphy, electroencephalogram protocols and algorithms to process the mentioned variable collected from patients, which includes data cleaning, data analysis and interpretation
• Conduct advanced time-series/longitudinal analyses of sleep and circadian rhythm disruptions in surgical populations
• Perform multivariate analyses integrating clinical, biomarker, and neurocognitive data
• Design and execute computational approaches to analyze neuroimaging and electrophysiological data
• Manage and analyze data collected through REDCap and other clinical databases
• Create data visualizations and interactive dashboards for research dissemination

Neuroscience Research (20%)

• Contribute to mechanistic studies examining the neurobiology of perioperative brain health
• Analyze biomarkers related to neuroinflammation, gut microbiome, neurodegeneration, and synaptic function
• Integrate multi-modal (multi-omics) data (clinical phenotypes, gut microbiome, biomarkers) to elucidate pathways of perioperative brain vulnerability
• Collaborate with neuroscience and translational research teams

Clinical Research Coordination & Administration (10%)

• Coordinate clinical research protocols and ensure regulatory compliance
• Supervise data collection and quality assurance processes
• Mentor junior researchers and research staff
• Lead manuscript preparation and contribute to grant applications
• Present findings at national and international conferences

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

• PhD in Neuroscience, Biostatistics, Biomedical engineering, Data Science, Nursing, Epidemiology, or related quantitative field
• Strong programming skills in R (required); proficiency in MATLAB and/or Python, SAS and/or SPSS preferred
• Demonstrated expertise in advanced statistical methods (e.g., mixed‑effects modeling, longitudinal analyses, survival analysis, causal inference)
• Track record of peer‑reviewed publications in neuroscience, sleep/circadian science, clinical translational research, biomedical engineering or data science
• Strong scientific writing, data visualization, and oral communication skills
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively in a multidisciplinary, team‑based research environment

POSITION INFORMATION

MD Anderson offers full‑time postdoc positions with a salary ranging from $64,000 to $76,000 depending on the number of years of postgraduate experience. The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, paid time off, retirement, tuition benefits, educational opportunities, and individual and team recognition.

Offsite work arrangements are subject to approval and may be modified or revoked at any time based on business needs, performance considerations, or regulatory requirements.

This position may be responsible for maintaining the security and integrity of critical infrastructure, as defined in Section 113.001(2) of the Texas Business and Commerce Code and therefore may require routine reviews and screening. The ability to satisfy and maintain all requirements necessary to ensure the continued security and integrity of such infrastructure is a condition of hire and continued employment.

It is the policy of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center to provide equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by institutional policy or by federal, state or local laws unless such distinction is required by law. http://www.mdanderson.org/about-us/legal-and-policy/legal-statements/eeo-affirmative-action.html