Epidemiology Postdoctoral Researcher

Organization
U.S. Department of Defense (DOD)
Reference Code
AFSAM-2020-0002
How to Apply

Components of the online application are as follows:

  • Profile Information
  • Educational and Employment History
  • Essay Questions (goals, experiences, and skills relevant to the opportunity)
  • Resume (PDF)
  • Transcripts/Academic Records - For this opportunity, an unofficial transcript or copy of the student academic records printed by the applicant or by academic advisors from internal institution systems may be submitted.  Click here for detailed information about acceptable transcripts.
  • 2 Recommendations are required.

Submitted documents must have all social security numbers, student identification numbers, and/or dates of birth removed (blanked out, blackened out, made illegible, etc.) prior to uploading into the application system.

If you have questions, send an email to AIRFORCE@orise.orau.gov. Please list the reference code of this opportunity in the subject line of the email.

All documents must be in English or include an official English translation.

Application Deadline
7/31/2020 3:00:00 PM Eastern Time Zone
Description

The U.S. Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine (AFSAM) is an internationally renowned center for aerospace medical learning, consultation, aerospace medical investigations, and aircrew health assessments. We promote readiness and protect force and community health by using a range of tools and expertise including environmental and health surveillance, laboratory and risk analysis, and process re-engineering.

AFSAM’s Field Epidemiology Support Section provides epidemiological surveillance of diseases (e.g., cancer) that may affect Air Force personnel at home or while deployed in austere environments world-wide. Under the guidance of a mentor, the participant will conduct statistical and epidemiological studies to surveil cancer incidence and cancer mortality in the Air Force and veteran communities. The overall learning objectives of this opportunity are to familiarize the participant with basic and advanced concepts of epidemiology, study design, statistical analysis, disease surveillance, and mortality studies.

The participant will conduct epidemiological studies in response to spikes of disease (e.g., cancer clusters) and will collect data from various health systems utilized by the Air Force and Department of Defense. Under the guidance of a mentor, the participant will collaborate with a diverse set of personnel from across multiple departments to ensure robust analysis and interpretation of epidemiological findings. They will analyze data for incidence of cancer in active duty and veteran populations using standard statistical software and research methods. The participant will help determine if there is a population of Air Force personnel that has an increased incidence of cancer and/or cancer mortality and whether this increase is associated with unique exposures for Air Force personnel. During the appointment, the participant will create periodic reports for leadership and will assist with authoring publishable findings and presentations for scientific conventions and meetings.

Appointment Length

This appointment is a twelve month research appointment, with the possibility to be renewed for additional research periods. Appointments may be extended depending on funding availability, project assignment, program rules, and availability of the participant.

Participant Benefits

Participants will receive a stipend to be determined by USAFSAM. Stipends are typically based on the participant’s academic standing, discipline, experience, and research facility location.  Other benefits may include the following:

  • Health Insurance Supplement. Participants are eligible to purchase health insurance through ORISE.
  • Relocation Allowance
  • Training and Travel Allowance

Nature of Appointment

The participant will not enter into an employee/employer relationship with ORISE, ORAU, DOD, or any other office or agency.  Instead, the participant will be affiliated with ORISE for the administration of the appointment through the ORISE appointment letter and Terms of Appointment.

Qualifications

Doctoral degree in Public Health (DrPH) or PhD in Epidemiology or Biostatistics. A working knowledge of environmental health concepts, occupational health, and chronic disease epidemiology and a well-developed understanding of epidemiological concepts such as study selection, inclusion/exclusion criteria, questionnaire development, calculation of measures of association, etc. are required. Preferred experience includes collecting and analyzing cancer or mortality data and familiarity with statistical analysis software programs such as SAS or STATA.

Eligibility Requirements
  • Citizenship: U.S. Citizen Only
  • Degree: Doctoral Degree received within the last 60 months or currently pursuing.
  • Discipline(s):
    • Life Health and Medical Sciences (5 )
    • Mathematics and Statistics (1 )