Position Summary

The Canadian Center for Vaccinology at Dalhousie University is offering a dynamic postdoctoral fellowship position in COVID-19 Social and Policy Countermeasures and Vaccine Program Evaluation, working under the mentorship of Drs. Donna and Scott Halperin.

The Fellow will support the management, coordination, and execution of a diverse range of research activities. The main area of focus is understanding the effects of COVID-19 public health outbreak policies and implementation on individuals and communities in Canada, Bangladesh, and China (Guangdong). Other projects include evaluation of the implementation of pertussis vaccine in pregnancy and understanding respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) prevention and pediatric immunization programs in Inuit populations in Nunavut.

The candidate will require a strong skill set in mixed methods research. Research activities will include but are not limited to: research design, data collection, data analysis, and data dissemination via conference presentations, reports, and peer-reviewed publications. Other responsibilities include coordination with other Canadian Center for Vaccinology staff, trainees and community partners as appropriate, preparing ethics applications and reports, and grant writing as needed. There will be an opportunity for the Fellow to develop leadership and project management skills, as well as to collaborate with clinicians and policymakers as integrated knowledge users in the research process.

Start Date: Available immediately.

Duration: 1 year, with possibility for renewal (contingent on satisfactory performance and funding availability).

Funding Details: The Fellow will receive a yearly salary ranging between $50,000-60,000, dependent on qualifications and experience, with some extended health benefits, university office space, use of appropriate computational services, and full access to university libraries. An additional $5,000 will be available for knowledge translation activities, including conference travel.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Primary Duties (75%):

• Work with the project team and communities to develop and implement independent research activities with minimal supervision. This includes, but is not limited to, submissions of ethics applications, data generation, analysis, and interpretation.
• Foster and maintain relationships with project collaborators internal and external to the Canadian Center for Vaccinology.
• Oversee research management and coordination activities and assist in the guidance of students and staff under the direction of Drs Donna and Scott Halperin.

Knowledge Translation (15%)

• Contribute to the writing and submission of manuscripts and reports.
• Coordinate and attend meetings and foster communications with key stakeholders, research collaborators, practitioners, project advisory committee members, policymakers, and other partners.

Funding Applications (10%)

• Identify funding opportunities.
• Contribute to the writing and submission of grant applications.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• PhD or PhD-equivalent in nursing, public health, population health, or relevant social science backgrounds.
• Understanding of infectious diseases, vaccinology, and program evaluation is an asset.
• Strong background in qualitative research as well as competency in using qualitative analysis software (such as NVivo or other similar programs).
• Basic competency in conducting mixed methods research.
• Strong competencies in MS Office software.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills and demonstrated abilities as a team player.
• Self-directed with the ability to work with minimal supervision while achieving specific goals within specific timelines.
• Strong attention to detail, organizational, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Ability to relocate to Halifax is essential.

To apply:

Interested applicants from nursing, public health, population health, or relevant social science backgrounds should submit an application consisting of a cover letter and curriculum vitae to Dalhousie University here: https://dal.peopleadmin.ca/postings/3495