Job Description

Academic

Job Category Faculty Non Bargaining

Job Title Postdoctoral Fellow

Department Macneill Research Lab General Surgery | Department of Surgery | Faculty of Medicine (Andrea MacNeill)

Posting End Date June 30, 2023

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the day prior to the Posting End Date above.

Job End Date Jun 30, 2024

JOB SUMMARY

The newly established Lancet Commission on Sustainable Healthcare (LCSH) is recruiting a Post-Doctoral Fellow (PDF) to support the activity of its Working Groups and ensure the timely delivery of its academic objectives.

The LCSH is exploring dimensions of resource consumption and environmental emissions associated with healthcare activities with a view to defining sustainable practices and parameters. It will identify policy, market, and behavioural drivers of current patterns of unsustainable and inequitable material and energy use, and propose actionable solutions for relevant stakeholder groups.

The PDF is responsible for supporting the academic activity of four Working Groups focusing on aspects of mitigation of healthcare pollution and health system adaptation to environmental change, sustainable clinical practices, and health system transformation. The PDF will work closely with thought leaders from a number of disciplines to summarize current states, identify knowledge gaps, and lead new content generation. The PDF will work closely with the Commission members (executive committee, commissioners, and advisors) in consultation with and in support of the co-chairs. The PDF will coordinate with a geographically diverse group of commissioners, carry out periodic literature reviews and environmental scans, synthesize progress reports, communicate with the Lancet editorial team, and contribute to final publications (co-authorship).

The PDF must maintain continuous familiarity and content expertise in climate change/pollution, health, and healthcare. The PDF is expected to acquire basic understanding of principles and methodologies in health economics, carbon accounting, and healthcare quality frameworks. The PDF is expected to use initiative, ingenuity, and persuasion among parties, and to be an active and effective catalyst to facilitate consensus-driven discussions to identify issues and actions.

The PDF reports to Dr. Andrea MacNeill, LCSH co-chair. They will take functional direction from Dr. Jodi Sherman, LCSH co-char.

ORGANIZATIONAL STATUS

The UBC Faculty of Medicine Department of Surgery educates students at the undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate levels, and pursues research to make innovative advancements in knowledge and practice to improve health. The Department consists of more than 600 physicians, surgeons, scientists, and educators and over 70 administrative, research, and technical staff in nine divisions distributed across British Columbia. Specialty training programs are offered in Cardiac Surgery, Colorectal Surgery, General Surgery, Neurosurgery, Otolaryngology, Pediatric Surgery, Plastic Surgery, Radiation Oncology, Surgical Oncology, Thoracic Surgery, and Vascular Surgery. The Department is also home to the Branch for Global Surgical Care (BGSC).

The PDF will operate out of the UBC Planetary Healthcare Lab, an interdisciplinary research collaborative within the Department of Surgery that brings together experts from environmental engineering, health economics, public health, and behavioural psychology with clinical and operational leaders to define data-driven best practices in sustainable healthcare and to inform policy and behavioural solutions.

WORK PERFORMED

Conduct literature reviews and environmental scans

Synthesize evidence into current state synopses and identify knowledge gaps

Develop research protocols and lead original research projects as required

Undertake quantitative analysis as required and/or collaborate with team members in modeling exercises and other quantitative methodologies

Manage the development, amendment, maintenance, and completion of ethics approvals

Write manuscripts and reviews for publication

Assist in identifying suitable funding mechanisms, and prepare and submit funding proposals under the direction of the co-chairs and executive committee

As appropriate, supervise students and other research staff supporting the LCSH

Present data informally and at national and international meetings, apply for travel grants when possible

Contribute to a respectful, inclusive working environment

Perform other responsibilities, as required

WORKING CONDITIONS

This position is performed in a professional environment in the Department of Surgery. The office will be based in the Planetary Healthcare Lab at Vancouver General Hospital.

CONSEQUENCE OF ERROR/JUDGEMENT

Errors in judgment, lack of appropriate consultation with the co-chairs and the research team, and non-adherence to project timelines will adversely affect the funding, credibility, and continuity of the LCSH\xe2\x80\x99s research activities and may compromise the LCSH\xe2\x80\x99s ability to secure grant funding for future research projects, as well as the trust of policy-makers and the general public. Poor communication and facilitation skills could negatively impact the success of research collaborations. Financial accountability to all stakeholders is imperative. A high degree of accuracy and initiative is required and relied upon by the commission in decision-making and effective implementation of strategic priorities, operational management, problem resolution, and in addressing unique situations and opportunities.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

The PDF reports to the LCSH Co-Chair, Dr. Andrea MacNeill. They may take functional direction from Dr. Jodi Sherman. Work will be reviewed periodically by Dr. MacNeill to assess the achievement of defined goals within each project. The incumbent is expected to work with wide latitude and exercise considerable judgment and initiative in duties and responsibilities.

SUPERVISION GIVEN

The PDF may be asked to supervise students and research assistants involved in Working Group initiatives

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Candidates must have completed their PhD within the last 3 years. Experience in a relevant field of specialization is required, including work experience or other post-doctoral training.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Experience in grant writing, literature reviews, and scientific writing

Ability to identify key results from scientific, statistical, and quantitative research findings

Highly articulate communicator, verbally and in composing professional documents, and effective in interpersonal, analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills

Interpersonal skills, along with the ability to work in a team environment and independently

Ability to contribute to a respectful, cooperative, and supportive work environment

Sound judgment and ability to maintain confidentiality, tact, and discretion

Excellent organizational skills, particularly in the area of prioritizing work and managing multiple tasks

Excellent time management skills especially around meeting deadlines

Ability to actively listen and probe for information to clarify complex requests

Effective oral and written communications, with the ability to compose clear and grammatically correct correspondence and business documents

Highly effective in analytical and problem-solving skills

Demonstrated ability to maintain a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail

Experience in and knowledge of word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications

Ability to accommodate a flexible schedule, occasionally including additional hours in evenings and early mornings, as required

University of British Columbia