How to Apply
A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position.
Summary
The Chronic Pain and Fatigue Research Center (CPFRC) in the Department of Anesthesiology at the University of Michigan seeks applications for a postdoctoral research fellow. The fellow will work jointly with Drs. Steven Harte, Andrew Schrepf and Chelsea Kaplan.
The fellow will work on a variety of federally-funded projects involving the neurobiology of chronic pain. Projects include the Back Pain Consortium Research Program (BACPAC), funded by the NIH HEAL Initiative. Primarily, this project would involve identifying biomarkers that are predictive of treatment response in patients with chronic low back pain. Another project is a National Institutes of Health R01 studying longitudinal change in pelvic pain patients who have completed neuroimaging, psychophysical pain testing, immunologic assays, and patient reported outcomes over an 18-month period. The parent study is a large, recently completed investigation of longitudinal symptom patterns in pelvic pain patients with many opportunities for additional analyses. Other collaborative opportunities on projects within the Chronic Pain and Fatigue Research Center are also possible and highly likely. Effort on the multiple projects will depend on the fellows interests and skillset as well as project needs. There will be ample opportunities for manuscript publication, grant writing, and professional development.
The position will be an excellent fit for a motivated researcher with strong quantitative skills and experience in at least one of the following areas of research: neuroimaging, psychophysics, immunology, advanced analytical techniques such as machine learning or network science. A background in pain research is not a pre-requisite as there will be many resources and mentors available to provide this training.
This is a 1-2 year position, depending upon the scope of the agreed upon projects, at 100% effort (40 hours per week) with strong possibility of extension. Fellow qualifications in combination with the National Institutes of Health funding levels will determine salary. Start date is flexible from now until mid-2024.
Mission Statement
The mission of the University of Michigan is to serve the people of Michigan and the world through preeminence in creating, communicating, preserving and applying knowledge, art, and academic values, and in developing leaders and citizens who will challenge the present and enrich the future. The University of Michigan is committed to foster learning, creativity and productivity, and to support the vigorous exchange of ideas and information, not only in the classroom but in the workplace by:
- Creating a work environment in which people treat each other with respect and dignity, regardless of roles, responsibilities or differences.
- Providing support, direction and resources enabling us to accomplish the responsibilities of our jobs and to reach the goals that are set for professional and personal growth.
Responsibilities*
Research:
- Collaborate with Drs. Harte, Schrepf and Kaplan to develop novel questions that can be addressed in the diverse datasets available.
- Execute primary analyses of the funded projects.
- Prepare, analyze, and interpret data using a variety of statistical tools, learning the skills necessary to do so (e.g., neuroimaging, multimodal data analysis, longitudinal, dimension reduction, artificial intelligence).
- Communicate research findings via peer-reviewed manuscripts.
- Write research proposals and apply for federal and/or foundation grants.
- Report to funders regarding research progress and findings.
Professional Development:
- Participate in academic conferences and present research findings.
- Attend relevant meetings, seminars, and workshops in the field and within the university.
- Conduct reviews of scientific publications and research proposals, as appropriate.
- Keep up to date on relevant research and methods.
Required Qualifications*
- Doctorate degree in an empirical social science, neuroscience, or related discipline. Strong research and communication skills, including:
- Extensive statistical or analytic experience
- Strong written and oral communication skills, evidenced in academic publications;
- Knowledge of a variety of research methodologies, and particularly incorporation of different data types
- Eagerness and initiative to learn new research skills.
Desired Qualifications*
- Advanced statistical skills (e.g., multilevel/mixed-effects models, structural equation modeling, clustering, time series analysis) and/or experience analyzing neuroimaging data (e.g., structural or functional connectivity, brain network analysis)
- Familiarity with multiple coding or analysis programs (e.g., R, SPSS, SAS, FSL, SPM, Freesurfer, Brain Connectivity Toolbox, Python);
- Evidence of positive mentoring experiences and successful collaborations with senior and junior team members
- Demonstrated research interests and experiences in multidisciplinary science.
Background Screening
Michigan Medicine conducts background screening and pre-employment drug testing on job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent job offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background screenings. Background screenings are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Report Act. Pre-employment drug testing applies to all selected candidates, including new or additional faculty and staff appointments, as well as transfers from other U-M campuses.
Application Deadline
Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.
U-M EEO/AA Statement
The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.