Hello:
I am writing to circulate a Post Doc position in the Health and Community Design Lab at
UBC (
http://health-design.spph.ubc.ca) funded by a new Canadian Institute for Health
Research grant focusing on the monetization of health impacts of the built environment.
This project leverages population-wide longitudinal health care utilization and cost data
uniquely available in Canada tied spatially at the address level with highly detailed
parcel level built environment and transportation network and behavioural (physical
activity and dietary) data.
Details of the position description are below – the position closes September 9th. The
link to apply is:
http://www.hr.ubc.ca/careers-postings/faculty.php (Job ID 18722).
Please circulate to anyone you think may be interested and qualified and thank you!!
Cheers,
Larry Frank
Lawrence D. Frank, Professor and Bombardier Chair
Director, Health and Community Design Lab
Schools of Population and Public Health and
Community and Regional Planning
University of British Columbia
604-822-5387 / 604-822-3687
http://health-design.spph.ubc.ca
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RANK: Postdoctoral Research Fellow
FACULTY: Faculty of Medicine
DEPARTMENT: School of Population and Public Health
SALARY: $50,000 annual
DURATION: One year with possibility of extension
LOCATION: UBC, Point Grey Campus
DESCRIPTION
JOB/ POSITION SUMMARY:
The position is in the School of Population and Public Health's Health and Community
Design Lab, which is in the Faculty of Medicine at the Vancouver Campus of the University
of British Columbia. The incumbent will work with Dr. Lawrence Frank on a recently funded
research project titled "Investigating Associations between Built Environment
Characteristics, Health Care Utilization Patterns, and Costs in British Columbia's
Lower Mainland".
This study seeks to fill a critical gap by examining the relationships between the built
environment and health expenditures among residents of British Columbia, while building a
foundation for similar future analyses across Canada. The study will leverage data
collected through three databases: 1) The BC Generations Project dataset; 2) Health care
utilization costs data; and 3) a built environment measures database incorporating
walkability, bikeability and regional accessibility data.
ORGANIZATION STATUS
Housed within the Faculty of Medicine, the School of Population and Public Health (SPPH)
is an innovative unit that encompasses many of the health-related groupings at UBC as a
collaborative venture. The School is structured around seven thematic areas: Social and
Lifecourse Determinants of Health; Occupational and Environmental Health; Global and
Indigenous Health; Health Care Services and Systems; Public Health and Emerging Threats;
Epidemiology and Biostatistics; and Maternal-Child Health. The resulting mix of
professions and disciplines is seen as a means of connecting individuals and learners to
galvanize the relationship between health research, public health and health services and
to enhance learning.
Operating within the School of Population and Public Health, the Health and Community
Design Lab is focused on the links between the built environment, travel behaviour, and
health. The Postdoctoral Research Fellow will report to Dr. Lawrence Frank, Director of
the Health and Community Design Lab, on all research, management and administrative
matters.
WORK PERFORMED
The primary activities of the Postdoctoral Research Fellow include:
- to coordinate with Statistics Canada and Population Data BC to gain access to data
- to integrate study databases and develop a database of individuals
- to conduct initial analyses using a variety of statistical methods including linear and
logistic regression
- to support the preparation of research reports
SUPERVISION RECEIVED
Reports to Dr. Lawrence Frank, Director of the Health and Community Design Lab. Work will
be reviewed for soundness of approach, analysis, and report preparation by the Director.
The Postdoctoral Research Fellow will also receive day-to-day supervision and support from
Dr. Josh van Loon, Research Associate in the Lab.
SUPERVISION GIVEN
Minimal supervisory responsibilities
QUALIFICATIONS
Education:
- Completion of a PhD in a relevant discipline (environmental health, epidemiology, health
promotion, urban planning, geography, or a related field)
Experience:
- Strong understanding of, and proven experience using, advanced statistical and empirical
analysis methods (particularly with linear and logistic regression; experience with
structural equation modeling would be an asset), as well as proficiency with related
software (SPSS, R or SAS).
- Writing scientific manuscripts in the field of environmental health, epidemiology,
health promotion, urban planning, geography, or a related area
- Previous experience acquiring and/or working with data from Statistics Canada and/or
Population Data BC is an asset
Skills:
- Sound theoretical and practical understanding of the linkages between the built
environment and travel behavior, including relationships with secondary outcomes such as
physical activity, obesity, air pollution, and access to food.
- Strong analytical skills are desired.
- Excellent communication skills, including strong writing, research and interpersonal
skills.
CONSEQUENCE OF ERROR/JUDGEMENT
Errors made could influence the ability of the research team to meet critical deadlines,
as well as compromise the results of research project, and therefore impact the
credibility of the Principal Investigator. Poor decisions may be damaging to the
reputation of the Principal Investigator, the Department, and the University and could
lead to incorrect or inappropriate policy recommendations being made.
UBC hires on the basis of merit and is strongly committed to equity and diversity within
its community. We especially welcome applications from visible minority group members,
women, Aboriginal persons, persons with disabilities, persons of minority sexual
orientations and gender identities, and others with the skills and knowledge to
productively engage with diverse communities. All qualified candidates are encouraged to
apply; however Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.