Fwd: Hello and a request to share this postdoc job announcement with your networks

[Emmeline Chuang]

Hi everyone,

I wanted to make sure our PhD students were aware of this potential postdoc opportunity. (Alexia, I'm not sure if there is a separate jobs listserv for the PhD students).

Thanks,

Em

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Michelle Keller <mkel...@usc.edu>

Postdoctoral Fellowship in Dementia, Implementation Science, and Medication Management
University of Southern California, Leonard Davis School of Gerontology

The USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology invites applications for a two-year, full-time Postdoctoral Fellow to lead innovative qualitative and community-engaged research at the intersection of dementia care, implementation science, and health equity.

Position Overview

The postdoctoral fellow will play a central role in leading a NIH-funded qualitative project aimed at improving equitable neurology referrals for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD). This project will identify patient, provider, health system, social, behavioral, and structural barriers and facilitators to neurology access among Black and Hispanic older adults. Findings will directly inform the development of a patient navigation intervention to reduce inequities in specialty dementia care.

The fellow will also have opportunities to contribute to and lead other qualitative and community-engaged projects related to dementia, caregiving, and medication management in older adults. This position provides robust mentorship and career development support, with the expectation of building a strong independent research portfolio.

Responsibilities

• Lead design, recruitment, and data collection for qualitative interviews with patients, care partners, and primary care providers.
• Apply implementation science and behavioral frameworks to guide sampling, data collection, and analysis.
• Conduct in-depth coding and thematic analysis using qualitative software 
• Collaborate with community advisory boards (CABs), stakeholder groups, and community partners to ensure patient-centered, culturally responsive, and equity-focused research practices.
• Mentor graduate and undergraduate research assistants in qualitative and community-engaged methods.
• Contribute to manuscripts, conference presentations, and grant proposals.
• Lead and co-lead other ongoing community-engaged qualitative studies on dementia care and medication management.

Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent doctoral degree in public health, gerontology, sociology, psychology, nursing, health services research, or related fields.
• Strong training in qualitative research methods (interviewing, coding, data analysis).
• Demonstrated commitment to or experience with community-engaged research approaches (e.g., CABs, participatory design, stakeholder engagement).
• Demonstrated interest in dementia, aging, health equity, or medication management.
• Experience with implementation science or health behavior frameworks is desirable.
• Spanish language proficiency is highly desirable.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team.

Training Environment

The fellow will join a collaborative research community based at USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, with opportunities to engage with faculty at UCLA, the West Los Angeles VA, and Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. The position is co-mentored by Dr. Michelle Keller and Dr. Utibe Essien, with extensive opportunities for structured mentoring, training in community-engaged research, grant-writing support, and career development to prepare for an independent research career.

Appointment Details

• Duration: 2 years (with potential for extension contingent on funding).
• Start Date: Flexible (expected 2025).
• Location: University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA.
• Salary & Benefits: Competitive, commensurate with NIH postdoctoral scales and USC policies.

Application Instructions

Interested applicants should submit the following to Dr. Michelle Keller at michell...@usc.edu:

1. Cover letter describing research interests, experiences, and career goals, including relevant community-engaged and qualitative research experience.
2. Curriculum vitae.
3. One representative publication or writing sample.
4. Contact information for three references.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

 

Michelle S. Keller, PhD, MPH

Assistant Professor
Leonard Davis School of Gerontology | University of Southern California 
3715 McClintock Ave GER121| Los Angeles, CA 90089

Mail Code: MC0191

michell...@usc.edu

Main:  213-740-0358