Post-Doctoral Research Fellowship in Genetic Epidemiology and Gene-Environment Interaction

An outstanding candidate is sought to work on original research supported by the Harvard School of Public Health’s Gene and Environment Initiative (GENI), an interdisciniplary research program that brings together several areas of traditional excellence at the School – epidemiology, environmental health research, population science, quantitative methods, and bench science – to contribute to understanding the combined effects of genetic and environmental factors on human health.

The research program and training will be directed by Dr. Dariush Mozaffarian, with additional mentoring and research support from other GENI faculty at the School.  Time will be devoted to original analyses and manuscripts evaluating how genetic variation, assessed by genome wide association (GWA), affects biomarkers of environmental dietary factors (e.g., selenium) and toxins (e.g., mercury) and investigating potential biologic pathways that might mediate the identified genetic effects by means of novel circulating biomarkers of metabolism.  This work will provide important evidence on how genome-wide variability affects responses to these environmental factors.  Additional analyses will focus on candidate genes and haplotypes and cardiovascular disease outcomes.

Emphasis will be placed on leading original analyses and manuscripts; career development; and transition toward independent funding and an independent research career.  Competitive salary, benefits, and travel/educational opportunities are provided in the rich interdisciplinary environment of the Harvard School of Public Health and Harvard Medical School.  Fellows are typically accepted for two years (conditional on performance).  Anticipated start date: September 1, 2008 (flexible)

Requirements

1.  Doctorate (PhD/DrPH/ScD) in Epidemiology; or MD (preferably with Medicine/Cardiology training) plus MS/MPH in Epidemiology. 

2.  A strong background in both epidemiologic and genetic methods and analyses, preferably including some familiarity with genome wide association studies. 

3.  Excellent writing skills and prior publications demonstrating the candidate’s potential.

Application

Send cover letter, CV, letters of reference, and one recent publication (published, in press, or submitted) to Randall Chaput, rchaput@hsph.harvard.edu.  Applications are being accepted until July 31.