Postdoctoral Fellow - Behavior Change and Digital Health

at  University of Alberta

Department Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry - Medicine Dept
Posted date January 21, 2025
Closing date March 4, 2025
Position Type Full Time

DESCRIPTION

This position is part of the Post Doctoral Fellows Association and has an initial appointment of 1 year with potential for an extension based on performance and funding.
This position is full-time and has a comprehensive benefits package.
Location - This role is hybrid with a mix of remote and in-person. Work primarily takes place at North Campus, Edmonton.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry at the University of Alberta invites applications for a Postdoctoral Scholar position specializing in behavior change and digital health technologies. The successful candidate will join an interdisciplinary research team led by Dr. Puneeta Tandon and Dr. Ashley Hyde, with expertise in patient-informed wellness interventions in chronic disease and aging using digital health platforms. The team focuses on designing interventions to improve user engagement with digital health platforms, particularly among older adults and underserved populations. They have multiple active digital health trials in adults with chronic conditions, with a recent digital health mental health RCT (EMPOWER) completed in 825 participants.
This position offers a unique opportunity to work at the interface of behavior change science and digital technology, with an emphasis on equitable access and user-centered design. Candidates will be supported for career development, to gain skills with student supervision, presentations, and grant writing, as well as to apply for scholarships and further research funding.

QUALIFICATIONS

• A PhD (completed within the last 3 years or near completion) in Psychology, Behavioral Science, Digital Health, or a related field.
• Proficiency in qualitative research methods (e.g., interviews, focus groups, thematic analysis) and software such as NVivo.
• Experience with digital health interventions, including app-based or wearable solutions, is an asset.
• Strong quantitative data analysis skills (e.g., R, Python, SPSS) is an asset.
• A demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in interdisciplinary teams, including patient/caregiver organizations.
• Excellent scientific writing skills, with a strong track record of peer-reviewed publications.
• Effective time management skills while managing multiple research projects.
• A commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in research and practice.

• Design and evaluate behavior change interventions based on evidence-based frameworks.
• Conduct qualitative research to explore user experiences, barriers, and facilitators of engagement with digital health programs.
• Investigate the effectiveness of different motivational strategies (e.g., gamification, habit formation) on user adherence.
• Develop interventions aimed at improving equitable access to digital health tools for older adults.
• Collaborate with an interdisciplinary team to publish high-quality manuscripts and apply for research funding.
• Analyze behavioral and qualitative data using advanced methods to inform intervention development.