Research Associate – Epidemiology

Role Overview

The Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology in the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania is looking to hire multiple Research Associates within its Academic Support Staff. The position is based in Philadelphia, PA.

Appointment Details

This is a one-year initial appointment. Continuation during the first year, as well as any renewal beyond that period, will depend on satisfactory performance and the availability of funding. The role may continue for up to three years in total.

Required Background

Candidates should bring subject-matter expertise in longitudinal causal inference methods and/or in the development, evaluation, and use of research methods, along with experience in epidemiology, biostatistics, or another closely related quantitative or computational discipline. A Ph.D. or an equivalent doctoral degree is required, and applicants must have at least one year of postdoctoral experience.

Key Work Areas

The role involves advanced methodological research and collaboration across academic and clinical research settings. Work will focus on statistical, causal, and machine learning approaches for complicated longitudinal datasets, including electronic health records, registry datasets, biobanks, pragmatic trials, and cohort studies.

Collaborative Environment

The successful candidate will partner with faculty in the department as well as a broader network of clinician-scientists, epidemiologists, and biostatisticians. Research collaborations will span palliative care, critical care, and health services research.

Methodological Contributions

The position also includes support for clinical trial design, analysis, and monitoring, in addition to observational study methods and Bayesian causal inference applications.

Career Development

Under the supervision of Dr. Michael Harhay and colleagues at the Center for Clinical Trials Innovation, the selected researcher will be encouraged to take on greater independence over time, contribute to innovative methodological work, especially Bayesian elements within funded projects, and produce peer-reviewed publications. The role is designed to help build a strong foundation for the next stage of an academic research career.

Additional Information

Open date: Nov 20, 2025.

Application deadline: Nov 20, 2027 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time.