Postdoctoral Fellow in Social and Behavioral Sciences

Office of Intramural Training & Education; Bethesda (MD); On-site; USD 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

The NICHD Social and Behavioral Sciences Branch (SBSB) in Bethesda invites applications for postdoctoral fellows to join collaborative, multidisciplinary teams and develop their own projects within the scope of ongoing SBSB research.

Fellows will work with population-based data addressing health-related behaviors in children and families, and contribute to mentoring postbaccalaureate fellows, participate in career development activities, and present research at national meetings, with

Qualifications

• Doctoral degree in social or behavioral sciences or closely related field.
• No more than 5 years of research experience since receipt of doctoral degree.
• Strong analytic, written, and oral communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Conduct independent research within SBSB and publish in peer-reviewed journals.
• Mentor postbaccalaureate fellows and participate in career development activities.
• Present research at national scientific meetings and develop new projects for independence (K99/R00).

Skills

Analytical skills

Written & oral communication

Education

Doctoral degree in social/behavioral sciences or related field

Job description

Postdoctoral Fellow in Social and Behavioral Sciences

Organization

NICHD, Bethesda, MD and surrounding area

Scientific focus area

Epidemiology,Social and Behavioral Sciences,Health Disparities

The Social and Behavioral Sciences Branch (SBSB) within NICHD’s Division of Population Health Research is inviting applications for postdoctoral fellows to join collaborative, multi-disciplinary teams and develop their own projects within the scope of ongoing research in the Branch.

About the position

SBSB research investigates novel social, behavioral, and environmental determinants of health in population-based observational and experimental studies.

Postdoctoral fellowships are available within the research groups led by Dr. Bobby Cheon, Dr. Stephen Gilman, and Dr. Tonja Nansel. Fellows will have access to rich, population-based datasets addressing health-related behaviors in children and families and the social determinants of child development and mental health, and will have the opportunity to participate in our Branch’s ongoing studies on:

• Mechanisms underlying socioeconomic, racial, and ethnic disparities in child development
• Health and health-related behaviors during the transition from adolescence to young adulthood
• Eating behaviors and diet during pregnancy, postpartum and early childhood
• Psychological, behavioral, and biological factors that shape eating behaviors and obesity risk in children and adolescents
• Role of psychological processes in disparities in health and health-relevant behaviors
• Mental health of parents and offspring In addition to conducting independent research and publishing in peer-reviewed journals, fellows contribute to mentoring postbaccalaureate fellows, participate in career development activities, present their research at national scientific meetings, and develop new projects that become the basis for transition to independence K99/R00 awards.

Candidates with superior analytic, written, and oral communication skills; research interests aligned with areas currently under investigation in SBSB; and a strong commitment to promoting a diverse, respectful, and inclusive workplace are encouraged to apply.

Before starting their fellowship, postdoctoral fellows in SBSB must have completed the requirements for their doctoral degree in the social and behavioral sciences or closely related field (e.g., psychology, epidemiology, public health, medicine, nutrition, behavioral economics, behavioral neuroscience, sociology) and must have no more than 5 years of research experience since receipt of their doctoral degree.