Postdoctoral Associate

The Department of Prevention and Community Health at George Washington University's ( GWU) Milken Institute School of Public Health invites applications for a postdoctoral fellow in the area of adolescent sexual health. The Parents and Adolescents Talking about Healthy Sexuality ( PATHS) study is a randomized controlled trial ( RCT) of a parent-focused HIV prevention intervention designed to reduce HIV risk and improve sexual health outcomes among sexual minority adolescent boys. For the trial, we have collected data from 350 parent-teen dyads who are assessed every three months over the course of a year. The postdoctoral fellow will carry out the primary data analyses to evaluate the trial outcomes, lead and support manuscripts reporting secondary findings of the study, and continue to grow their program of research. Opportunities exist for the postdoc to collaborate with other GWU faculty with datasets relevant to HIV prevention and sexual minority health in other adolescent and young adult populations.

Specific responsibilities include:

1. Support the primary outcomes papers from the PATHS RCT by managing and analyzing data from the PATHS RCT in collaboration with the study PI (Dr. David Huebner) and study Co-I (Dr. Brian Baucom).

2. Using data from the PATHS project, conduct secondary analyses, interpret findings, and write up results as a lead author and as a co-author for professional presentations and peer-review manuscripts. These studies will focus primarily, though not exclusively, on how parent-adolescent dynamics influence sexual health and mental health for sexual minority adolescent boys.

3. Within a 12-month period: Conference papers - using PATHS data, submit a minimum of 2 lead-author papers, and contribute as co-author to an additional 2 papers from the PATHS data that will be submitted to professional conferences. Peer-reviewed publications - using PATHS data, serve as lead author on a minimum of 2 papers, and co-author on a minimum of 2 papers, submitted for publication to peer-reviewed journals.

4. Spend up to 20% time developing grant proposal submissions and collaborating with other GWU faculty to develop manuscripts.

5. Provide support, supervision, and mentorship as appropriate to junior members of the PATHS research team.

Applicants must have fulfilled all requirements for the award of a PhD or equivalent qualification in a relevant field by the date of employment.

1. Strong Analytical Skills. Experience and training in longitudinal data analyses, particularly multi-level modeling and structural equation modeling. Proficiency in statistical analysis software (e.g., SPSS, R, MPlus, SAS).

2. Publication Record. Evidence of scholarly productivity, including peer-reviewed publications in reputable academic journals and/or manuscripts under review and in preparation.

3. Excellent Writing and Oral Communication Skills. Ability to communicate research findings effectively through oral presentations, conference talks, and written manuscripts. Ability to interact effectively and respectfully with interdisciplinary team of PATHS co-investigators.

4. Content Area Expertise. Substantive experience conducting research in a topical area relevant to the PATHS trial (e.g., sexual and gender minority health, HIV prevention, or sexual health among adolescents or young adults).
5. Cultural Competence and Ethical Conduct. Demonstrated commitment to working in a culturally competent and ethical manner with ethnically and sexually diverse adolescents and their families.

6. Flexibility and Adaptability. Ability to adapt to changing research priorities and to work effectively in a dynamic research environment.

7. Professional References. Please provide the names and contact information for two academic mentors or supervisors who can attest to the candidate's qualifications and potential for success in this postdoctoral position.

Employees in this subfamily are responsible for designing and conducting experiments in a controlled laboratory setting. Duties may include performing experiments, collecting, analyzing and reporting data.