Substance Use Postdoctoral Jobs in Boston, MA (NOW HIRING)

We invite applications for a postdoctoral fellowship in the Department of Community Health Sciences at Boston University School of Public Health (BUSPH) under the mentorship of Drs. Danielle F. Haley, Kaku So‑Armah, and Matthew Fox. The overall goal of our NIDA‑funded study is to evaluate cannabis exposure and associated risks among aging people living with HIV (PWH), with particular focus on understanding how cannabis use and cannabis use disorder (CUD) affect geriatric syndromes (including falls, fractures, delirium, and dementia) and antiretroviral therapy (ART) failure and adherence. This research uses longitudinal data from the Veterans Aging Cohort Study (VACS) and the Mt. Sinai HIV cohort, combined with novel natural language processing (NLP) algorithms applied to electronic health records (EHR) to understand cannabis‑related harms in aging PWH and people without HIV.

The position will entail collaborations with several investigators with expertise in HIV epidemiology, substance use epidemiology, cannabis and alcohol policy research, informatics, causal inference methods, and geriatric health. This position offers a competitive compensation package (commensurate with experience). We seek bright, curious, and highly motivated individuals interested in applying their skills to tackle complex epidemiologic problems at the intersection of HIV, substance use, and aging. Applicants should have a PhD or equivalent degree in epidemiology, health sciences, biostatistics, or a related quantitative health field. Research experience in HIV epidemiology, substance use/cannabis research, health informatics, aging research, or causal inference methods is desirable but not required. Applicants should have the ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative team.

BUSPH is committed to building and nurturing an inclusive professional community in which every person feels they have a rightful place, are welcome and respected, and are supported in their endeavors. The Department of Community Health Sciences at BUSPH provides a vibrant, interdisciplinary research environment along with a wealth of resources to build a career. Fellows can take advantage of training, education, and mentorship opportunities at BUSPH, and engage in opportunities specifically facilitated by Dr. Haley.

• Contribute to the dissemination of findings, including
  • Prepare first‑authored and co‑authored manuscripts for peer‑reviewed journals
  • Conduct comprehensive literature reviews related to cannabis epidemiology, HIV, aging, geriatric syndromes, and/or methodological approaches used in the study
  • Collaborate with the research team on publications aligned with the research group’s aims
• Create area‑level and temporal measures, including
  • Contribute to the creation of area‑level contextual metrics across data years and geographic regions
  • Document procedures and processes for measure creation and validation
  • Ensure consistency and quality of measures across time periods and cohorts
  • Contribute to the technical development of analytical variables
• Identify bias parameters from the literature
• Develop models in conjunction with faculty to implement quantitative bias analysis methods
• Work with faculty to implement methods
• Support other study activities and operations, including
  • Participate in regular study team meetings
  • Present preliminary findings at study team meetings and work‑in‑progress presentations
  • Assist with the implementation of the study’s data sharing plan

The Postdoctoral Associate will be expected to participate in career development activities and prepare grant applications to establish research independence. Fellows will also have opportunities to develop mentoring skills within their research groups.

• PhD or equivalent degree in epidemiology, health sciences, biostatistics, or a related field obtained within the past two years
• Excellent communication skills in both spoken and written English
• Excellent critical thinking and problem‑solving abilities
• Strong quantitative and analytical skills
• Experience in epidemiologic methods and longitudinal data analysis
• Track record of publication in peer‑reviewed journals

• Conduct literature reviews synthesizing evidence on cannabis harms in aging populations and PWH
• Explore how cannabis legalization alters the associations between cannabis use and geriatric outcomes
• Conduct quantitative bias analyses to understand the implications of sources of residual systematic error
• Investigate the relationship between cannabis use and ART adherence and HIV viral suppression in older PWH

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, natural or protective hairstyle, religion, sex, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military service, pregnancy or pregnancy‑related condition, or because of marital, parental, or veteran status. We are a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.