Postdoctoral Scholar - Research Associate

University of Southern California; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Epstein Family ATRI at USC is seeking a Postdoctoral Scholar for the RER Section to advance analyses on recruitment, screening, biomarkers, and cognitive outcomes across prevention trials and cohorts. The role offers opportunities to author manuscripts, collaborate with trial investigators and statistics teams, and contribute to high-impact publications.

The appointment is 12 months, renewable to 24 months, with a focus on defined manuscript outputs and a strong trajectory toward independence

Qualifications

• PhD in epidemiology, public health, neuroscience, population health, or related field.
• Experience interpreting complex longitudinal or trial-embedded datasets with statistical teams.
• Strong scientific writing skills, including first-author manuscripts.
• Ability to integrate biomarker, cognitive, clinical, behavioral, or population data into scientific interpretation.
• Ability to structure and advance manuscripts from analytic outputs to submission.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively within multi-investigator research environments.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within multi-investigator research environments.

Responsibilities

• Develop and advance scientific questions using recruitment, screening, biomarker, cognitive, and longitudinal data from Alzheimer’s disease prevention trials and cohorts.
• Lead manuscript development from completed and maturing analyses, including first-author manuscripts and collaborative publications.
• Translate statistical outputs into rigorous scientific interpretation and narrative in collaboration with faculty and statistical teams.
• Integrate relevant literature to frame findings within Alzheimer’s disease prevention and clinical-trial research.
• Participate in multidisciplinary scientific discussions within established Section and statistical governance structures.
• Contribute to abstracts, scientific presentations, and peer-reviewed publications.

Skills

Longitudinal data analysis

Scientific writing

Biomarker data integration

Manuscript development

Collaborative research

Independent work

Trial data experience

Education

PhD in epidemiology, public health, neuroscience, population health, or related field

Job description

Postdoctoral Scholar

Epstein Family Alzheimer’s Therapeutic Research Institute (ATRI), University of Southern California

The Epstein Family Alzheimer’s Therapeutic Research Institute (ATRI) at the University of Southern California serves as a coordinating center for multicenter clinical trials and longitudinal cohort studies in Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. ATRI supports trial design, data management, screening infrastructure, biomarker evaluation, and participant engagement across national and international research programs.

Recruitment, Engagement, and Retention (RER) Section

Within ATRI, the Recruitment, Engagement, and Retention (RER) Section conducts research using recruitment, screening, biomarker, cognitive, and longitudinal data generated through Alzheimer’s disease prevention trials and cohorts. The Section examines population heterogeneity across screening and participation pathways, biomarker-based eligibility, cognitive outcomes, and participant engagement and retention, with the goal of generating evidence that can inform future prevention research.

Location

San Diego, CA

Position Summary

Epstein Family ATRI is seeking a Postdoctoral Scholar to join the RER Section and contribute to an evolving program of Alzheimer’s disease prevention and clinical-trial research. The scholar will work with trial-embedded and longitudinal datasets that include recruitment and screening information, blood-based biomarkers, amyloid PET, cognitive measures, participant characteristics, and longitudinal outcomes. Scientific questions may examine who is identified through different screening approaches, who meets biomarker-based eligibility criteria, who participates and remains in longitudinal research, and how cardiometabolic, vascular, social, and other factors relate to cognitive outcomes and participation. The scholar will have opportunities to develop scientific questions, lead abstracts and first-author manuscripts, and build an increasingly independent research trajectory while working closely with RER faculty, clinical-trial investigators, and statistical collaborators. This is a 12-month appointment, renewable for up to 24 months total, contingent upon funding, focused on advancing defined manuscript outputs tied to ongoing funded studies. The role operates within established analytic governance structures and collaborates with faculty and statistical teams to advance peer-reviewed publications. This position does not involve operational study management, recruitment oversight, or statistical leadership.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and advance scientific questions using recruitment, screening, biomarker, cognitive, and longitudinal data from Alzheimer’s disease prevention trials and cohorts.
• Lead manuscript development from completed and maturing analyses, including first-author manuscripts and collaborative publications.
• Translate statistical outputs into rigorous scientific interpretation and narrative in collaboration with faculty and statistical teams.
• Integrate relevant literature to frame findings within Alzheimer’s disease prevention and clinical-trial research.
• Participate in multidisciplinary scientific discussions within established Section and statistical governance structures.
• Contribute to abstracts, scientific presentations, and peer-reviewed publications.

Reporting Structure

The Postdoctoral Scholar reports to Dr. Doris Molina-Henry, MPI of APEX, within the Recruitment, Engagement, and Retention (RER) Section, and collaborates with Section leadership, ATRI faculty and statistical teams under existing analytic governance.

Minimum Qualifications

• PhD in epidemiology, public health, neuroscience, population health, or related field.
• Demonstrated experience interpreting complex longitudinal or trial-embedded datasets in collaboration with statistical teams.
• Strong scientific writing skills, including first-author manuscript drafting.
• Experience integrating biomarker, cognitive, clinical, behavioral, or population-level data into scientific interpretation.
• Ability to structure and advance manuscripts from analytic outputs to submission.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively within multi-investigator research environments.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within multi-investigator research environments.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with screening cohorts or biomarker-based trial populations.
• Experience examining population heterogeneity, longitudinal trajectories, or subgroup patterns.
• Experience contributing to multi-author manuscripts within clinical research settings.
• Ability to synthesize findings across related datasets and scientific domains.

Compensation

The annual base salary range for this position is $70,304.00 - $90,000.00. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

Background Screening Policy

USC will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal records in a manner consistent with applicable laws and regulations, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for employers and the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and with due consideration for patient and student safety. Please refer to the Background Screening Policy Appendix D for specific employment screen implications for the position for which you are applying.

Equal Opportunity Employment

USC is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or USC policy. USC observes affirmative action obligations consistent with state and federal law.

Accommodations

We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities.

About USC

USC is a leading private research university located in the heart of downtown Los Angeles – a global center for arts, technology and international business. As the largest private employer in the city – responsible for more than $5 billion annually in economic activity in the region – we offer the opportunity to work in a dynamic and diverse environment, in careers that span a broad spectrum of talents and skills. As a USC employee, you will enjoy excellent benefits and perks, and you will be a member of the Trojan Family - the faculty, staff, students and alumni who make USC a great place to work.