Institution (Location)
Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
Position Description

Position Description:

Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) is seeking a full-time postdoctoral trainee with expertise in child or family psychology, behavioral nutrition, and/or behavioral physical activity to support ongoing research activities in childhood obesity prevention. Under the direction of Dr. Bill Heerman, MD MPH in the Department of Pediatrics, the postdoctoral trainee will work on a newly funded study to implement a family obesity prevention intervention in both rural and urban areas in Tennessee. Dr. Heerman’s lab is committed to the process of community engaged research with the goal of reducing health disparities in family obesity through the development and implementation of equitable behavioral interventions. The trainee will gain knowledge and practical experience in pragmatic clinical trials, implementation science methods, addressing social determinants of health through multi-level interventions, community engaged research, and data management/analysis. In addition to project-specific activities, the postdoctoral trainee will have the opportunity to develop an independent line of scientific inquiry, publish manuscripts, and attend national scientific conferences. The trainee will also receive mentoring from senior faculty across Vanderbilt University Medical Center to support the trainee’s career development.

The Department of Pediatrics at VUMC has a robust research mission and consistently ranks in the top ten in NIH funding among U.S. Medical Schools. In addition, VUMC is home to an extensive research infrastructure that supports postdoctoral fellows across a range of disciplines through cross-department mentoring, collaboration, and seminar series. VUMC is located in the heart of Nashville, a thriving city of commerce, finance, healthcare, and music. Nashville is a wonderful place to live, work and raise a family. 

We seek candidates who embrace and reflect diversity in the broadest sense as diversity and inclusion are core values of the Department of Pediatrics and VUMC.   We are intentional in creating and sustaining an inclusive and equitable environment and believe it is essential that our faculty and trainees reflect the population we serve.  Vanderbilt University Medical Center is committed to principles of equal opportunity and affirmative action.

Candidate’s Qualifications (who should apply)

Qualified individuals must have completed a Ph.D. (or equivalent doctoral degree) and must be a U.S. Citizen or have permanent resident status.

How to Apply

Candidates should submit: 1) a curriculum vitae, and 2) a 1-page cover letter to Dr. Bill Heerman via email at [email protected]. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, with a flexible start date.

POSITIONS AVAILABLE