Postdoctoral Research Fellow Full-time

Postdoctoral Research Fellow

The Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of British Columbia (UBC) is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Health Economics for a 1-year term. This position is suited for a highly motivated researcher with interests in health economics, pharmacy and pharmaceutical policy, and related areas. The successful candidate will contribute to a range of projects involving health economic data analysis, preference elicitation, and policy evaluation. This role is ideal for a health economics researcher who is passionate about improving healthcare systems and informing policy through impactful research.

The position will be a full-time appointment and will be located at the Collaboration for Outcomes Research and Evaluation (CORE) at UBC Vancouver campus and the Centre for Advancing Health Outcomes (Advancing Health) at St. Paul's Hospital.

Dr. Wei Zhang, a faculty member within CORE and the program head of health economics within Advancing Health, leads the Health Economics Program, which focuses on advancing evidence-based approaches to improve healthcare efficiency and equity. Dr. Zhang has recently received a CIHR Project Grant to evaluate the feasibility and costs of pharmacy models supporting rural and remote communities in British Columbia, Canada. The successful candidate will contribute to this funded project, as well as other health economics related projects, working with a multidisciplinary team under Dr. Wei Zhang's supervision.

Work Performed

• Leading and Coordinating Research Projects: Design and develop research projects in collaboration with the supervisor, including defining relevant research methodologies, preparing grant and ethics applications, and coordinating with external collaborators.
• Data Collection and Management: Develop survey questionnaires, collect data through interviews or surveys, and organize and manage large and complex databases.
• Data Analysis: Apply econometric and statistical methods to analyze complex health-related and pharmaceutical-related data, including administrative data from the Ministry of Health and survey data from Statistics Canada, as well as build and simulate data using various data sources.
• Policy Evaluation: Evaluate existing and proposed pharmacy models or pharmaceutical policies, such as changes in scope of practice and reimbursement systems, and conduct economic evaluations to assess their costs and impacts.
• Dissemination of Research Findings: Write and publish high-quality research papers in peer reviewed journals, and present findings to knowledge users and at academic conferences.
• Trainee Mentorship: Work independently on research projects, and provide support and guidance to trainees on their research projects.
• Other duties as needed.

Consequence of Error

This position requires professional action on all aspects of research activities and is responsible for producing high quality, reproducible, well-documented work. Errors may affect the research team's ability to meet critical deadlines, compromise project results, and ultimately impact the credibility of the Principal Investigator. Poor decisions may damage the reputation of the Principal Investigator, the Faculty, and the University, and could lead to incorrect or inappropriate policy recommendations. Errors in judgement and failure to report problems have significant consequences and will lead to termination of the position.

Supervision Received

The Postdoctoral Fellow will work with a high degree of independence and set priorities under broad directives from Dr. Zhang. The Fellow will directly report to Dr. Zhang.

Supervision Given

The Postdoctoral Fellow will be responsible for providing direction and training to trainees as appropriate.

Education/Work Experience

• PhD in Health Economics, Health Policy, Health Services Research, or a related field.
• Proficiency in econometric and/or statistical analysis and in using at least one software package, Stata, R, or SAS.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct high-quality health economics research and publish in reputable peer-reviewed journals.
• Demonstrated experience in designing surveys, and in managing and analyzing large datasets.
• Sufficient knowledge of the Canadian health care system.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to effectively perform both self-directed and supervised research, and to manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to work collaboratively with interdisciplinary teams and external collaborators.
• Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one's own.
• Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one's own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Interested applicants should submit a single PDF including a statement of qualifications (maximum 2 pages), a curriculum vitae, and the contact information of three references. Applications must be submitted to the UBC Careers portal no later than the posting end date. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.

Equity and diversity are essential to academic excellence. An open and diverse community fosters the inclusion of voices that have been underrepresented or discouraged. We encourage applications from members of groups that have been marginalized on any grounds enumerated under the B.C. Human Rights Code, including sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialization, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or status as a First Nation, Metis, Inuit, or Indigenous person.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however Canadians and permanent residents of Canada will be given priority.