The University of Vermont Cancer Center is seeking an outstanding candidate to fill a
Postdoctoral Associate position focused on breast cancer epidemiology and data sciences.
This position is under the supervision of Dr. Brian Sprague, PhD, who is Professor in the UVM
Larner College of Medicine and co-Leader of the Cancer Population Sciences program within
the Cancer Center. Dr. Sprague directs the Vermont Breast Cancer Surveillance System
(VBCSS), a registry-based study that collects data on women undergoing breast imaging at
radiology facilities in Vermont. The VBCSS is one of six active registries that pools data within
the national Breast Cancer Surveillance Consortium (BCSC) to conduct breast cancer research
and inform national guidelines for breast cancer screening. VBCSS data have been used in
over 270 publications.
This postdoctoral associate position offers opportunities in complex data management, data
analyses, and manuscript publication in support of multiple NCI grant-funded projects evaluating
breast cancer screening strategies and breast cancer risk prediction models. Active projects
include an R01-funded study of supplemental screening strategies for women with dense
breasts, an R01-funded study of novel risk prediction models for women with benign breast
disease, and P01-funded studies of advanced cancer risk prediction models and the use of
image analysis artificial intelligence algorithms to improve breast cancer screening and risk
prediction.
Core job responsibilities will include analytic design, conduct of data analyses, and manuscript
preparation. The postdoctoral associate will develop their independent research skills under the
mentorship of Dr. Sprague, including opportunities for grant writing and conference travel if
desired. Candidates can expect a collaborative work environment, with local, national, and
international collaborators in disciplines including Epidemiology, Health Services Research,
Biostatistics, Radiology, Pathology, Surgery, Primary Care, Decision Analysis, Implementation
Science, and Complex Systems.
This is a 1-2 year position with a flexible start date and potential to extend for an additional year.
Ability to work in-person at the University of Vermont in Burlington is desired but remote options
may be considered. A competitive salary, benefits, and opportunities for travel and training are
available.
Requirements include a PhD in a field applicable to cancer epidemiology or data sciences. This
opportunity is available to US Citizens or eligible to work in the United States. Recent PhD
graduates and candidates with prior postdoctoral experience will both be considered.
Successful candidates will have an interest in working with large datasets, including data from
the Breast Cancer Surveillance Consortium, experience with complex statistical analyses, and
strong writing skills. Database management skills (e.g., SQL Server, MS Access, SAS) and
interests in rural health are highly desirable but not required.
Further information about the VBCSS is available at
http://www.med.uvm.edu/vbcss/programhome.
Further information about the BCSC is available at
https://www.bcsc-research.org/
The University of Vermont Cancer Center is a not-for-profit comprehensive clinical and research
cancer center, the only such organization in the state of Vermont. Founded in 1974, the Cancer
Center is located within the Larner College of Medicine and enjoys a clinical partnership with the
University of Vermont Medical Center. The organization comprises more than 120 scientists and
physicians engaged in a full range of basic, translational, clinical, and outcomes research that
seeks to uncover new knowledge and understanding about cancer and the issues that affect
people with the disease.
Dr. Sprague is co-Leader of the Cancer Population Sciences program within the University of
Vermont Cancer Center. This program facilitates collaborative, transdisciplinary cancer
research through regular meetings, organized symposia, and other mechanisms. Interactions
with the larger UVM research and clinical community are promoted by joint meetings with the
other Cancer Center programs as well as workshops, retreats, symposia, and other Cancer
Center events.
The University is especially interested in candidates who can contribute to the diversity and
excellence of the academic community through their research, teaching, and/or service.
Applicants are requested to include in their cover letter information about how they will further this
goal.
The University of Vermont is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified
applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex,
sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other
category legally protected by federal or state law. The University encourages applications from
all individuals who will contribute to the diversity and excellence of the institution.
TO APPLY, please submit 1) a cover letter describing the candidate’s research interests and
relevant qualifications; 2) a CV; and 3) the names and contact information of three individual
references to: Dr. Brian Sprague (
[email protected]). This opportunity is also
described at
https://www.med.uvm.edu/vbcss/postdoctoral_associate_position.