Postdoctoral Scholar - Public Health Sciences

Penn State University; University Park (TX); On-site; USD 52,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

Penn State University seeks a highly motivated Postdoctoral Scholar in Public Health Sciences to advance nutrition-related epidemiology, chronic disease prevention, and real-world evidence generation using large datasets (e.g., EHRs, claims, NHANES). The role emphasizes rigorous methods, collaboration, and high-impact publications.

Ideal candidates will have a PhD in Epidemiology or related field, strong statistical skills (SAS/R), and experience in study design, manuscript preparation, and

Qualifications

• PhD in Epidemiology or related field.
• Experience in epidemiologic research methods and study design.
• Experience handling large real-world datasets (e.g., EHR, claims, NHANES).
• Strong analytical, organizational, and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Design and conduct epidemiologic studies using multiple data sources.
• Develop protocols, analysis plans, and graphical displays.
• Perform advanced analyses on epidemiologic datasets.
• Prepare manuscripts for peer‑reviewed journals and contribute to grant proposals.
• Present findings at scientific meetings and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams.

Skills

Epidemiologic methods

Statistical analysis

Large real-world datasets

Manuscript preparation

Grant writing

Communication skills

Collaboration

Education

PhD in Epidemiology or related field

Tools

SAS

R

Mplus

Job description

## Postdoctoral Scholar - Public Health SciencesApplylocations: College of Medicinetime type: Full timeposted on: Posted Todayjob requisition id: REQ\_0000080801# **APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:*** ## CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.* ## CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.* ## If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click “Apply” and complete the application process for external applicants. **Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.**This is a term position; length of the term will be discussed during the interview process. Continuation past the term length discussed will be based on university need, performance, and/or availability of funding. **POSITION SPECIFICS**The Department of Public Health Sciences (PHS) seeks a highly motivated Postdoctoral Scholar to contribute to research in nutritional epidemiology, chronic disease prevention, and the generation of real-world evidence using large real-world data sources, including data from the ongoing prospective cohort study (DREAM cohort). The successful candidate will have expertise in epidemiologic research methods, experience working with complex real-world datasets, and strong quantitative and analytical skills. This position offers opportunities to collaborate on interdisciplinary research projects, develop independent research expertise, and contribute to high-impact publications and grant-funded research.**PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES*** Design and conduct epidemiologic studies using multiple data sources.* Develop research protocols, statistical analysis plans, graphical displays, and other study-related documents.* Perform advanced statistical analyses using large epidemiologic, clinical, and administrative datasets.* Prepare manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed journals.* Contribute to grant writing and the development of research funding applications.* Present research findings at scientific meetings and conferences.* Collaborate with faculty investigators, research staff, and trainees on ongoing research projects.* Participate in other scholarly activities that support the Department's research mission.**REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS*** Doctoral degree (PhD, DrPH, ScD, or equivalent) in Epidemiology, Nutrition, Biostatistics, or a related field.* Training and experience in epidemiologic research methods.* Experience working with large real-world datasets including electronic health records (e.g., TriNetX), claims databases (e.g., MarketScan), or survey datasets (e.g., NHANES).* Demonstrated experience designing epidemiologic studies and developing research protocols.* Demonstrated experience conducting advanced statistical analyses using SAS and R; familiarity with Mplus is preferred.* Experience supporting the preparation of scientific manuscripts for peer-reviewed publication and assisting with the development and writing of grant proposals.* Strong analytical, organizational, written, and verbal communication skills.* Demonstrated ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary research environment.* Commitment to rigorous scientific methodology, research integrity, and ethical conduct of research.**PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS*** Expertise in nutritional epidemiology and diet-related chronic disease research.* Experience with causal inference methods, longitudinal data analysis, and advanced epidemiologic methods.* Experience developing and analyzing dietary patterns derived from Food Frequency Questionnaires (FFQ), including dietary quality indices and data-driven approaches such as principal component analysis, factor analysis, or related methods.* Experience working with dietary assessment data and translating complex nutritional exposures into epidemiologic research.* Record of peer-reviewed publications and scientific presentations. **BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES**Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies. **BENEFITS**Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional well-being. For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page. (Note: For Postdoctoral benefits, please see our Postdoctoral Benefits page.) **CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS**Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.**EEO IS THE LAW**Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.Penn State is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive. We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university’s teaching, research, and service mission.