Job Description

Academic

Job Category Faculty Non Bargaining

Job Title Postdoctoral Fellow (PDF) - Asbestos and Lung Cancer

Department Koehoorn Laboratory | School of Population and Public Health | Faculty of Medicine (Mieke Koehoorn)

Posting End Date October 13, 2022

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

The School of Population and Public Health (SPPH) is seeking a Postdoctoral Fellow (PDF) for a 1.5-year term, with a possibility of an extension to a full second year. The position is with the Partnership for Work, Health and Safety, a research unit that focuses on the use of workers' compensation data for policy-relevant research on work and health in the Faculty of Medicine at the Vancouver Campus of the University of British Columbia. The research unit is co-lead by Drs. Mieke Koehoorn and Christopher McLeod. The PDF will lead work on evidence syntheses (systematic reviews, meta-analyses, scoping reviews, evidence briefing notes) in the area of occupational epidemiology and work and health research to inform policies and practices, including, for example, a synthesis of the scientific evidence of the relationship between occupational exposure to asbestos and the risk of lung cancers to inform compensation policy.

Housed within the Faculty of Medicine, the School of Population and Public Health (SPPH) is an innovative unit structured around four divisions (Occupational and Environmental Health; Health Services and Policy; Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Public Health Practice; and Health in Populations) that provides multidisciplinary opportunities for researchers, learners and decision makers to develop creative, evidence-based strategies to solve public health issues.

Operating within the School of Population and Public Health, the Partnership for Work, Health and Safety is dedicated to addressing current and emerging issues of work-related health in British Columbia. PWHS brings together policy-makers, researchers and data resources from national and international organizations to address current and emerging issues of work-related health in Canada. Our research is aimed at improving understanding of the causes and consequences of injuries and illness, identifying high-risk industries and occupations, and investigating the effectiveness of interventions that improve worker health, prevent occupational illness and injury, and reduce work-related disability.

The primary activities of the Postdoctoral Research Fellow include:

• To lead evidence synthesis methodologies, including:

• Organize and structure evidence synthesis protocols according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, in consultation with the project advisors, lead and collaborators;
• Develop evidence search strategies and inclusion/exclusion criteria for evidence synthesis projects;
• Conduct evidence search strategies and screen abstracts and full-text articles relative to the inclusion/exclusion criteria to assess their suitability for evidence synthesis to respond to the research question(s);
• Use data extraction software such as Covidence, and validate data abstraction and assess the quality of studies;
• Work with investigative teams and collaborators to develop occupational exposure metrics across studies for meta-analyses, including for asbestos exposures;
• Conduct meta-analyses to respond to the research questions on relationships between occupational exposures and cancers, specifically occupational asbestos exposure and Lung Cancer;
• Lead and organize internal research team meetings, including meeting with funder and other stakeholders (agendas with decisions/action items);
• Plan and write briefing notes for the investigators and other stakeholders, interim reports for the funder, and slide presentations for policymakers;
• Assist in the writing of a final report
• Develop and maintain comprehensive study/methodological documentation;
• Troubleshoots and problem solve for projects, as necessary
• to co-author and author publications for peer-review journals;
• to coordinate and assist with the preparation of new evidence synthesis research grant application(s);
• to participate in knowledge translation (KT) activities; and
• to participate in team meetings;
• To contribute to Partnership for Work, Health and Safety academic activities and the School of Population and Public Health academic community.

The position reports to Dr. Mieke Koehoorn. Work will be reviewed for soundness of approach, analysis, and manuscript preparation by Dr. Koehoorn. The incumbent may receive specific guidance for the research methods from the project investigators and collaborators.

Consequence of Error/Judgement

The Postdoctoral Research Fellow will work under strict confidentiality because of the nature of the data used in many of the Partnership's projects. Core research activities are dependent on principles of security and privacy and the integrity of the research enterprises. Any privacy breach or errors in judgment could lead to serious consequences for regulations and policies governing the health and safety and compensation of workers and affect the reputation of the Project Lead, the Partnership, SPPH and other partners. Care must be exercised in designing and performing tasks to avoid inappropriate assumptions.

Complexity of Duties: This position requires a considerable degree of research experience, creativity, industriousness, and independence to complete the research deliverables within the 16 months' time period with an international team of investigators and collaborators.

Accuracy and Accountability: Errors in judgement may have a significant influence on the ability of the research team to meet critical deadlines, as well as compromise the results of research project. Poor decisions may be damaging to the reputation of the Principal Investigator, the School, and the University and could lead to incorrect or inappropriate policy recommendations being made. Incorrect meta-analysis or interpretation of findings can adversely impact the results of a study, resulting in the rejection of manuscripts.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Ph.D. or equivalent degree in Epidemiology, Occupational Hygiene, or related health sciences preferred.
• Minimum of four years of experience using evidence synthesis methodologies and research software/tools (e.g., Covindence and STATA software) is required (and as demonstrated by authorship on systematic review publications, conference presentations, or letters of support from previous supervisors).
• Research experience related to occupational hygiene, and in particular occupational exposure assessment, is preferred.
• Experience collaborating as part of a multi-disciplinary and international research team, and attention to detail for methodological documentation, are assets.
• Experience in writing for publication in academic journals is preferred.
• Ability to write in explanatory and procedural styles for multiple audiences.
• Ability to effectively manage multiple tasks and priorities.
• Ability to exercise initiative, judgment, discretion, and have strong interpersonal skills.
• Ability to analyze and effectively resolve issues.
• Ability to work independently and in a team environment.
• Accurate attention to detail is essential
• Excellent communication skills, including strong technical writing and research skills.

This position will be responsible for access, collection, use and disclosure of personal information in accordance with the BC Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (RSBC 1996) and other UBC privacy and security policies. This position requires employees to work under strict confidentiality requirements; internal procedures and policies to protect personal information must be followed, and adherence to these requirements will be regularly reviewed by the employer.

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.