Now Hiring Research Assistant Professor in Translational Behavioral Medicine

The Behavioral Medicine group at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine excels in research and implementation that translates evidence-based behavioral preventive care into clinical practice and community services. Faculty members study major behavioral risk factors for chronic disease (obesity, physical inactivity, smoking). They conduct highly interdisciplinary research that integrates mobile technologies into sociotechnical systems to deliver behavioral interventions that are optimized for scalability using novel MOST methods. The successful applicant for this position will work with a multidisciplinary team of researchers and implementation partners (e.g., Northwestern researchers, Community-based organizations including Federally Qualified Health Centers, and oncology and primary care clinics throughout a 9-Hospital Northwestern Memorial Hospital Consortium to facilitate implementation and continual evaluation of behavioral preventive care. The ideal candidate will have training in community-based participatory research and implementation science as well as experience with interdisciplinary research teams. The candidate will manage a portfolio of funded projects, with the option to grow their own work and co-develop projects.

Community-Facing Team Science Online Learning Tools (40%): With staff support from NUCATS (Northwestern’s clinical and translational science award hub), the candidate will manage the build-out of new community-facing team science learning tools to be housed on the existing COALESCE platform. Tools are being co-developed, using a community-based participatory approach, in collaboration with stakeholders at community-based organizations. The end product will be interactive online learning materials and tools to help community entities navigate working with large, health research institutions. Working with an existing community board and creative tech partner, the candidate will translate stakeholder requests, experience, and advice into teachable insights, activities, and toolbox utilities, all featured through an existing online platform (www.teamscience.net).

Team Science Program (20%): Under the aegis of NUCATS’ Team Science Program, the candidate will offer educational and consultation services internally at Northwestern and externally to other institutions that request such work. In addition to providing seminars to enrollees in university training programs, they may offer guidance on research team development and project execution. They may also help to facilitate scientific creativity labs that foster innovative interdisciplinary research. Deputy Directorship of the NUCATS Team Science Program is a possibility.

Community Engagement Collaboration Against COVID-19 Disparities (CEAL) (40%): The candidate, with staff support, will manage the Northwestern site of this multisite project, working in conjunction with universities and community-based health organizations in Chicago. They will sustain established alliances with key community partners and federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) to help promote COVID vaccination and testing, and will provide research infrastructure to evaluate and improve the implementation of community-led programs. They will also work with the other sites to fight institutional racism and develop programs to help mend the divide between underserved populations and the healthcare system in Chicago.

Early-career applicants are welcomed and will be evaluated on the basis of academic training and productivity in health promotion, implementation science, and community based participatory research, and evidence of collaborative work. All applicants should have excellent planning, communication, and leadership skills. Collaborative orientation and skills in interdisciplinary team science are important. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Northwestern University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. Hiring is contingent upon eligibility to work in the United States. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.

Interested individuals should send a curriculum vitae and a cover letter describing their academic experience/interests to Mercedes Munoz at mercedes.munoz@northwestern.edu. Please address the letter to: Bonnie Spring, PhD, Department of Preventive Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 680 N Lake Shore Drive, Suite 1400, Chicago, IL 60611