Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Urban Health

Academic

Job Category

Faculty Non Bargaining

Job Title

Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Urban Health & Substance Use

Department

Nolan Laboratory Division of Social Medicine | Department of Medicine | Faculty of Medicine (Seonaid Nolan)

Posting End Date

February 5, 2026

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date.

Job End Date

November 30, 2026

Offer:

Full-time term position (1-year, with the potential to extend)

Compensation: $60,000 per year

Desired Start Date: As soon as possible

Benefits: UBC offers a comprehensive benefits plan, including extended health and dental coverage

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Please send application materials to

Cover letter

Academic curriculum vitae

1 representative peer-reviewed publication

Summary

We are seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Research Fellow with a strong interest in urban health and substance use. This project will examine substance use treatment trajectories, identify challenges and opportunities in addiction health services, characterize key features of patients accessing care, and enhance provincial capacity to tailor care approaches in response to the ongoing substance use crisis.

The ideal candidate will have a passion for integrating multiple sources of quantitative data and a drive to explore new areas of inquiry critical to transforming the quality of care for marginalized populations.

Organizational Status

The BCCSU is a Vancouver-based provincial resource for evidence-based information and treatment guidance in the field of substance use. In addition to building on the BCCSU's seminal work by cultivating a robust body of evidence in this area, the BCCSU is committed to translating leading edge research into improved substance use care across BC. To this end, the BCCSU develops evidence-based training curricula, program standards, and practice guidelines while networking regional health authorities, researchers, educators, and care providers and other allied care professionals across the province to ensure that research and innovation efficiently reach the communities they are intended to serve.

Work Performed

• Conduct rigorous quantitative research analyses with a strong methodological foundation.
• Coordinate research activities and manage project timelines
• Organize and collect data from diverse sources
• Collaborate and maintain relationships with stakeholders
• Contribute to literature reviews and research syntheses
• Author research abstracts, reports, and scientific articles for submission to peer-reviewed journals
• Develop and draft educational materials and deliver lectures relevant to the program of research
• Present findings at national and international conferences
• Identify and pursue secondary research projects and funding opportunities
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary research teams to drive impactful studies
• Mentor trainees in different aspects of clinical research

Minimum Qualifications

• PhD in public health or related field obtained within the last five years.
• Proven ability to thrive in a collaborative, mixed-methods research environment.
• Strong personal motivation, self-management, and detail-oriented approach.
• Ability to adapt and navigate complex health systems and evolving health trends
• Expertise in data management and statistical programming, particularly with SAS, SQL, STATA or R
• In-depth knowledge of research methodologies, systematic reviews, and syntheses
• Formal education/training in quantitative research methods and statistical analysis
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including research writing and interpersonal collaboration.
• Strong conceptual, analytical, and critical thinking abilities
• Demonstrated initiative and a willingness to work closely with a diverse research team
• High level of professionalism, ethical conduct, discretion, and diplomacy
• Ability to mentor trainees