Full-time Postdoctoral Scientist

About the role

The VCU Institute for Drug and Alcohol Studies (IDAS) invites applications for a Post-Doctoral Fellow to join a multidisciplinary research team led by Dr. Caitlin E. Martin. This position focuses on NIH-funded translational science projects examining how biological, neurofunctional, and psychosocial factors influence substance use disorder (SUD) recovery, with emphasis on opioid use disorder treatments, sleep comorbidities, and perinatal health. The fellow will lead data management and quantitative/qualitative analysis, ensure regulatory compliance, publish research findings, and mentor student trainees.

Responsibilities

• Lead data management and quality assurance, including developing and implementing standard operating procedures, conducting regular data quality checks, and supervising trainees in data management.
• Design and conduct quantitative and qualitative analyses using statistical software (e.g., STATA, SPSS) and produce data visualizations for dissemination.
• Develop and update study protocols in compliance with regulatory standards (e.g., IRB, FDA) and maintain study files in protected databases.
• Supervise student trainees in data management, analysis, regulatory compliance, and dissemination of research findings.
• Lead the preparation of scientific manuscripts and other research dissemination products (e.g., posters, presentations, infographics).
• Assist with participant recruitment, informed consent, and data collection in accordance with approved protocols.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary team communications and study meetings.

Requirements

• PhD in a related scientific discipline.
• Strong data management and statistical analysis skills.
• At least one first-author publication.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Detail-oriented with the ability to manage and quality-check biomedical research data.
• Ability to write publishable manuscripts and study protocols.
• Capacity to collaborate effectively in multidisciplinary teams.

Preferred qualifications

• Experience with NIH-funded clinical research.
• Background in substance use disorder treatment research or clinical practice.
• Experience mentoring or teaching student trainees in research.
• Experience with human subjects or translational research.
• Experience coordinating multidisciplinary teams.
• Proficiency in both quantitative and qualitative research methods.
• Familiarity with REDCap.

Only applicants who do not require current or future employment sponsorship will be considered.