Sleep, Circadian Rhythms, and Cardiovascular Health across Ethnicities
The person who obtains this postdoctoral positionwill be the key research scientist in a multidisciplinary and multinational project, which is a collaboration between the University of Surrey (UK), the University of Chicago (USA), and the University of São Paulo School of Medicine (Brazil).
In this project, we aim to investigate the link between sleep, circadian rhythms, and cardiovascular health, with one novel dimension — ethnicity. The project focuses on an established research cohort in Baependi, a small Brazilian rural town characterised by a uniformly conservative lifestyle and by considerable admixture along the African-European axis. These features will allow us to study sleep and circadian rhythms and their influence on cardiovascular risk factors and health outcomes, and to relate this to ancestry.
As the postdoctoral research associate of this project, you will drive the data collection, and have main responsibility for the data analysis. In addition to the project leader at the University of Surrey, you will be working with academic collaborators in Chicago and São Paulo and their research groups. The post will include a significant amount of travel, mainly to Brazil.
We are looking for an individual with excellent data analysis and communication skills, both verbal and written (as evidenced by authorship of peer-reviewed publications), who is both able to work independently and liaise with colleagues at home and abroad. Your PhD could be in Anthropology, Behavioural Sciences, Biological Sciences, Bioinformatics, Genetics, Cardiovascular and metabolic health sciences, Epidemiology, Psychology, or Statistics. Knowledge about advanced statistical methods and experience with database management would be an advantage. Prior knowledge of Portuguese is neither required nor expected, but would be a bonus. Applications from qualified residents of any country would be considered on their merits and according to current legislation.
In addition to your salary, you will receive pension contributions via the Universities Superannuation Scheme, a generous annual leave entitlement, relocation assistance where appropriate, an attractive research environment, and access to a variety of staff development opportunities as well as discounted membership in the Surrey Sports Park.
The University of Surrey is located on a beautiful, leafy campus in Guildford, just 30 miles from London and benefitting from excellent rail and road connections.
For further information, please contact:
Dr Malcolm von Schantz, University of Surrey or Dr Kristen Knutson, University of Chicago
Please apply online (Vacancy number 018715)
Start date: No later than 30 June 2015
Duration: 21 months
Planned interview date: 13 May 2015
Starting salary: £31,342-—32,277/year
Primary work place: Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey GU2 7XH, UK
Line manager & Principal Investigator: Dr Malcolm von Schantz