Postdoctoral Research Associate

Description

LOCATION 

This position is fully on-site and requires a regular presence in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Remote or hybrid work is not available for this position.

JOB SUMMARY

The Center for Translational Research within the Research Institute Health and Wellness Center (RIHWC) at ACHE is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate dedicated to the NIH R01: 1R01DK148868-01, Novel Mechanisms Promoting Energy Intake Compensation in Response to Aerobic and Resistance Exercise. The Postdoctoral Research Associate will work closely with PI, Kyle Flack, PhD, RD, Director of Translational Research, to provide subject recruitment, care, and data collection procedures in adherence with the study protocol and in accordance with good clinical practice principles. 

Novel Mechanisms Promoting Energy Intake Compensation in Response to Aerobic and Resistance Exercise is a 5-year clinical trial including up to 120 participants randomized into two different supervised exercise interventions. Outcomes include changes in body composition (DXA), total energy intake and expenditure, hormonal mediators of hunger, cardiometabolic parameters, behavioral mechanisms promoting energy intake, and functional outcomes such as muscle strength and fitness.    

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Ability to work effectively independently and as part of the larger team associated with this project.
• Coordinate participant recruitment, enrollment, and outcome assessments, including schedules and staff/student coverage.
• Contribute to the development of research documentation for publication and/or preparing technical reports, patents, grants, papers, and/or records.
• Design and carry out experiments in the laboratory, analyze experimental data, formulate conclusions, and communicate results and conclusions to the Principal Investigator and lab members.
• Oversee the participant scheduling and staff/student coverage of the intervention delivery. 
• Be able to present information on research progress and outcomes and communicate complex information orally and in writing.
• Collaborate professionally with national scientists/stakeholders.
• Supervise and train students.
• Develop new ideas and incorporate them into planned or new research.
• Present research at national conferences and meetings.
• Contribute to the development of research documentation for publication and/or prepare technical reports, patents, grants, papers, and/or records.
• Other duties assigned by the Director of Translational Research or their designee.

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS AND CREDENTIALS

Education and Experience

Minimum Qualifications

• Ph.D. in biological sciences with experience working and facilitating research projects/ activities. 
• Proven capacity to work independently, prioritize multiple tasks, and operate in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Organizational skills to effectively monitor and manage schedules of participants.
• Experience with or the interest to learn collection and processing procedures for human urine and blood samples.
• Experience with or the interest to learn the following applied physiology assessment systems: 

- Indirect calorimetry for resting and exercise metabolism

- Visual gaze detection software/hardware

- Behavioral reinforcement assessment and programming

- HUMAC-Norm Isokinetic testing

- Accelerometry

- Continuous glucose monitoring

- Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry

Preferred Qualifications

• Ph.D. in exercise physiology, nutrition, or integrative physiology.
• CPR and First-aid certification.
• Familiarity with exercise testing and monitoring.
• Strong knowledge of grant budgeting, IRB reporting guidelines, data management, and research compliance.
• Excellent skills in leadership, budget management, strategic planning, problem solving, and collaboration.
• Experience with R Statistical Software.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Demonstrate proficiency in computer skills, i.e. Microsoft Office.
• Display professionalism for the college in all communication and interactions.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and privacy.
• Ability to prioritize and organize numerous and varied assignments.

ABILITIES AND COMPETENCIES ESSENTIAL TO THE FUNCTION OF THE JOB

Communication and Comprehension

ACHE is in full compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and does not discriminate regarding applicants or employees with disabilities and will make reasonable accommodations when necessary. The following are essential abilities and physical requirements for all positions at the college.

• Ability to orally communicate effectively with others with strong interpersonal skills and customer service orientation.
• Ability to work cooperatively with colleagues and supervisory staff at all levels.
• Ability to understand oral and written information, using the English language, and organize thoughts and ideas into effective forms of communication.
• Ability to make decisions which range from moderate to a significant impact on the immediate work environment, as well as outside contributors.
• Possess public communication skills that allow professional representation of ACHE to a variety of business and community customers and associates.
• Strong organizational skills.

Problem Solving

• Intuitively able to reason, analyze information and events, and apply judgment in order to solve problems of both a routine and complex nature.
• Expertise in negotiation.

Physical and Sensory Abilities

• May be exposed to short, intermittent, and/or prolonged periods of sitting and/or standing in performance of job duties.
• May be required to accomplish job duties using various types of equipment/supplies to include, but not limited to pens, pencils, calculators, computer keyboards, telephone, etc.
• May be required to transport oneself to other campus offices, conference rooms, and on occasion, to off-campus sites to attend meetings, conferences, workshops, seminars, etc.
• May require significant travel or work away from campus.
• Requires attendance at events representing ACHE both within as well as outside of the college setting.
• Frequently required to work at a desk, conference table or in meetings of various configurations.
• Frequently required to see for purposes of reading matter.
• Frequently required to hear and understand speech at normal levels.
• Occasionally required to lift items in a normal office environment.
• Ability to safely lift and carry 25 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation. 
• Frequently required to operate office and presentation equipment.

If you need assistance in the application process because of a disability, or any other reason, please contact Vicki Broadaway, Vice President and Chief People Officer, at 479.308.2290 or [email protected].

Arkansas Colleges of Health Education is an equal opportunity employer.