The Institute for Circumpolar Health Studies at the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) invites applications for a postdoctoral fellow to be involved in research at the intersection of climate change and human health in Alaska. This full-time, fixed term position will be located in Anchorage, Alaska.

The postdoctoral fellow will primarily be working on a project aimed at understanding the converging impacts of wildfire smoke exposure and maternal stressors on birth outcomes. The successful candidate will contribute to ongoing projects on topics such as wild food consumption and food security, water and sanitation interventions in rural Alaska, and creating tools for climate adaptation planning. The fellow will be encouraged and mentored to develop new proposals and research initiatives to support additional research.

The postdoctoral fellow will be responsible for the development of air quality exposure layers using the HYSPLIT model (related experience is preferred, but training is available), and the acquisition and management of a large data set that includes sensitive health information. Specific research activities include working with project partners to request secondary datasets, geocoding patient records, running statistical analysis including mixed effects regression, designing and implementing surveys, and assisting with the development of
Institutional Review Board (IRB) applications. The fellow will be involved in manuscript authorship, presentation of findings at professional meetings, and strategic grant proposal development as appropriate. There may also be opportunities to supervise graduate or undergraduate research assistants.

Minimum qualifications include:

  • PhD (required by the start of appointment) in epidemiology, biostatistics, environmental health, environmental sciences, or closely-related field;
  • Exceptional biostatistical, data analysis, database management, and programming skills;
  • Highly motivated and self-directed in advancing complex projects and a record of successful research;
  • Strong project management skills with outstanding attention to detail;
  • Outstanding interpersonal skills and ability to maintain positive and collaborative relationships with various partners and colleagues from different disciplines;
  • Strong time management skills with a proven ability to multitask and to prioritize to successfully complete projects on tight deadlines with little supervision; and
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present data in a simple and straightforward way for non-technical audiences.

Preference will be given to applicants with experience running air quality models or interest in learning how to run a user-friendly model.

Preferred qualifications include:

  • Experience with Geographic Information Systems (GIS);
  • Experience working with sensitive human subjects data;
  • Research experience in topics related to health impacts of climate change, health impacts of wildfire smoke, or air quality;
  • Interest in engaging with communities working on climate adaptation and resilience;
  • Experience working with Alaska Native communities or in other diverse research settings; and
  • Creative approach to research methodologies and interest in learning new skills as needed.

Applications must include:

  • Cover letter that describes qualifications and research experience, professional goals, and specific interest in this position;
  • Curriculum vitae;
  • One to three representative publications or other examples of work; and
  • Names and contact information of three professional references.

For questions, contact:
Micah Hahn
Email: mbhahn@alaska.edu
Phone: 907-786-6577