Postdoctoral Scholar, Community Health Sciences

Description

Area:  Health Outcomes of Black People in Canada

Duration:  1 year with possibility of extension if applicant has both strong quantitative and qualitative skills

Start Date:   April 1, 2025

Salary:   $60,000 $CAD per annum, plus University of Calgary Plan C health benefits

The Department of Community Health Sciences  in the Cumming School of Medicine at the University of Calgary is accepting applications for a Postdoctoral Scholar in Health Outcomes of Black People in Canada.

Job Description:

This position reports to the Principal Investigator, Dr. Bukola Salami.  The proposed study will examine the health outcomes of Black people in Canada, identify barriers they face in accessing health services, and propose strategies for enhancing their health.  We will: (1) conduct a secondary analysis of Canadian Community Health Survey data to gain insights into healthcare utilization and other health determinants for Black people in Canada; (2) undertake a secondary analysis of Canadian Census Health and Environment Cohort data to assess the health outcomes specific to Black people in Canada; and (3) organize 20 qualitative interviews and six focus groups to situate our survey findings within distinct local contexts and guide the formulation of targeted interventions to overcome healthcare access barriers for Black people in Canada. Throughout this project, we will closely collaborate with Black people across all provinces and territories. As part of our knowledge mobilization plan, we will produce a video documentary and policy briefs, and anticipate publishing five or more academic articles.

The first year of the project will focus on analysis of Statistics Canada dataset. The position thus requires that the postdoctoral fellow have strong statistical analysis skills including completing multiple regression with STATA. The second and third year of the project requires strong qualitative skills including a strong intersectional theoretical lens with NVivo qualitative data analysis software.

This position is located in Calgary, Alberta. The applicant must also be able to travel across sites

Application to postdoctoral scholarships, such as CIHR and Banting award will be expected.

Duties will include the following

• Assisting Principal Investigator in the design and development of research project,
• Completing quantitative analysis of Statistics Canada datasets including multiple regression with the use of STATA software
• Developing and submitting research proposals
• Applying advanced theoretical and/or analytical techniques
• Writing papers for publication
• Developing presentations for events, conferences and other knowledge mobilization products
• Complete qualitative data collection in the second year
• Contribute to and assist in submitting research grants proposals
• Manage ethics submissions, modifications and renewals
• Mentor and train research assistants when applicable
• Develop data collection instruments including interview instruments
• Conducts literature reviews and systematic review
• Collect interview and focus group data in second and third year
• Recruit research participants in the second year
• Conduct complex analysis including with NVivo data analysis software
• Manage project documentation including protocol development, project planning, evaluation, and reporting
• Assists with research data management
• Coordinate and participate in community and stakeholder engagement sessions
• The individual may also coordinate and engage in research activities that broadly improves the lives of Black people in Canada
   

Qualifications:

• PhD degree in epidemiology, health sciences, or related field
• PhD must have been awarded within the last five years
• Experience completing complex statistical analysis
• Experience working on research projects with Black communities in Canada
• Ability to perform detailed design, documentation, and implementation of moderately complex quantitative and qualitative analysis
• Indepth theoretical knowledge of intersectionality theory and/or critical race theory preferred
• Ability to mentor undergraduate and graduate student
• Advanced software and database experience required with proficiency in Microsoft Office
• Experience with STATA software is required in first year and experience with NVivo will be required in the second year of the project
• Experience with specific research activities: participant recruitment, data collection, data analysis, developing and maintaining ethics applications, writing manuscripts and reports, assisting with grants and funding applications
• Experience with qualitative and quantitative research activities: developing survey instrument, developing interview guides; conducting interviews, focus groups; transcription and data analysis
• Bilingual applicants (English and French) will be prioritized in the selection process

Application Details:

Application deadline is March 15, 2025.  Send cover letter, CV, contact information for 3 references and a writing sample (e.g. peer reviewed publication) to Dr. Bukola Salami at [email protected]
 

The terms and conditions of employment are covered under the UCalgary and PDAC Collective Agreement. To find out more about postdoctoral scholar program at the University of Calgary visit our Postdocs website.  

To learn more about postdoctoral scholar opportunities at the University of Calgary, view our Postdoc Careers website.

About the University of Calgary

UCalgary is Canada's entrepreneurial university, located in Canada's most enterprising city. It is a top research university and one of the highest-ranked universities of its age. Founded in 1966, its 36,000 students experience an innovative learning environment, made rich by research, hands-on experiences and entrepreneurial thinking. It is Canada's leader in the creation of start-ups. Start something today at the University of Calgary. For more information, visit ucalgary.ca.

About Calgary, Alberta

Calgary is one of the world's cleanest cities and has been named one of the world's most livable cities for years. Calgary is a city of leaders' in business, community, philanthropy and volunteerism. Calgarians benefit from the strongest economy in the nation and enjoy more days of sunshine per year than any other major Canadian city. Calgary is less than an hour's drive from the Rocky Mountains and boasts the most extensive urban pathway and bikeway network in North America.

The University of Calgary has launched an institution-wide Indigenous Strategy committing to creating a rich, vibrant, and culturally competent campus that welcomes and supports Indigenous Peoples, encourages Indigenous community partnerships, is inclusive of Indigenous perspectives in all that we do.

As an equitable and inclusive employer, the University of Calgary recognizes that a diverse staff/faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers that have been historically encountered by some people in our society. We strive to recruit individuals who will further enhance our diversity and will support their academic and professional success while they are here. In particular, we encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible/racialized minorities, and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to apply. To ensure a fair and equitable assessment, we offer accommodation at any stage during the recruitment process to applicants with disabilities. Questions regarding [diversity] EDI at UCalgary can be sent to the Office of Institutional Commitments ([email protected]) and requests for accommodations can be sent to Human Resources ([email protected]).