Post-Doctoral Fellowship in Gerontological Nursing
Position Overview
Organization: Biobehavioral Nursing and Health Informatics
Title: Post-Doctoral Fellowship in Gerontological Nursing
Position Details
Position Description
The University of Washington, School of Nursing has a history of developing nursing scientists in the care of older adults. We are pleased to announce a Postdoctoral Fellowship in Gerontological Nursing to start Fall 2022. Funding is provided from private donors. The purpose of the postdoctoral position is to prepare individuals for research careers in universities. The postdoctoral fellow will be supported for one year of training with a second year of funding available based on satisfactory progress in the first year.
Dementia impacts more than 47 million people and this number is expected to double every 20 years. Currently in the U.S., over 5 million people are living with this disease and are cared for by 15 million family or friend care partners. Expert dementia care is sparse – only 13,000 physicians and nurses have specialized training in this field, leaving many people living with dementia without accessible care. Family members provide the majority of the care for individuals with dementia. The levels of stress and depression in family caregivers and the challenges they face are well-documented.
We are seeking highly motivated individuals for the following:
Postdoc Position: Improving Dementia Care
People living with dementia respond favorably to music and yet the reasons are not clear. The postdoctoral fellow will join a multidisciplinary and multisite team who is testing an innovative approach using cortisol and DHEA-S to measure stress in people living with dementia and family caregivers. As a member of the research team, the postdoctoral fellow will assist with data analysis, write and publish scientific papers, and develop research grant proposals. The post-doctoral fellow will also have an opportunity to collaborate with other gerontological nursing faculty on research on optimizing dementia care, studying variables that can support care partners at home, and testing interventions to enhance self-care practices and barriers to treatment among underserved and historically disadvantaged populations. The postdoctoral fellow will receive mentorship from members of the Dementia and Palliative Education Network in the School of Nursing
The postdoctoral scholar will be supported in the development of additional academic skills and the publishing of their dissertation. Postdoctoral fellows are expected to attend a training seminar every quarter during the academic year, except during summer quarter. They will have the option to take up to 6 credits per quarter during the academic year under tuition waiver.
Postdoctoral Scholars are represented by UAW 4121 and are subject to the collective bargaining agreement, unless agreed exclusion criteria apply. For more information, please visit the University of Washington Labor Relations website.
Program Aims
The postdoctoral fellow will:
- Learn theories, methods, and skills necessary to conduct gerontological research
- Develop research expertise through experiences with interdisciplinary teams, exposure to and immersion in ongoing research activities, and structured feedback and critique
- Receive mentoring in the ethical conduct of research, inclusive of diverse vulnerable populations
Commitment to Diversity
The University of Washington is committed to building diversity among its faculty, librarian,
staff, and student communities, and articulates that commitment in the UW Diversity Blueprint (http://www.washington.edu/diversity/diversity-blueprint/). Additionally, the University’s Faculty Code recognizes faculty efforts in research, teaching and/or service that address diversity and equal opportunity as important contributions to a faculty member’s academic profile and responsibilities (https://www.washington.edu/admin/rules/policies/FCG/FCCH24.html#2432).
Qualifications
- Complete a PhD in Nursing Science degree or related field after 2020 and by the time the position starts.
- International applications are welcome. Applicants must be eligible for U.S. employment. For more information, please visit the International Scholars Operations website.
- Show evidence of a program of research that supports aging
- Preferred qualification:
- Bilingual in English/Swedish
- High level of experience in statistical methods
Instructions
- Applicants are invited to submit a cover letter, letters of recommendation, resume, transcript, and 1-2 pieces of sample writing (e.g. articles, grants).
- Three letters of recommendation submitted directly into Interfolio at the link below. Letters should address the applicants’ scholarly abilities, area for growth, and future potential in academia. Letters need to be received by the application deadline.
- Applicant's cover letter should address the areas listed below (no more than 200 words for each area). Please add any additional supporting documentation that example experience or expertise for the position to the Additional Documents section of the application process.
1. Explain how your research interests and expertise match with the core project on:
- Music, cognitive health, stress, and physiological markers that is the foundation of this fellowship OR
- Optimizing care in dementia, supporting care partners and identifying mitigating variables associated with hospitalizations.
2. Describe your 3 and 5 year professional goals.
All application materials are to be addressed to Basia Belza, PhD, RN, FAAN, FGSA, Director of the de Tornyay Center for Healthy Aging and submitted here in Interfolio. Deadline for first consideration is Thursday, March 31, 2022 at 5:00 pm/PST.
Questions about the position and/or application process can be directed to Ms. Heather Wicklein Sanchez, Manager, de Tornyay Center for Healthy Aging, at agingctr@uw.edu.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, gender identity or expression, age, disability, or protected veteran status.
Commitment to Diversity
The University of Washington is committed to building diversity among its faculty, librarian, staff, and student communities, and articulates that commitment in the UW Diversity Blueprint (http://www.washington.edu/diversity/diversity-blueprint/). Additionally, the University’s Faculty Code recognizes faculty efforts in research, teaching and/or service that address diversity and equal opportunity as important contributions to a faculty member’s academic profile and responsibilities (https://www.washington.edu/admin/rules/policies/FCG/FCCH24.html#2432).
COVID-19 Vaccine Requirements and Information
Under Washington State Governor Inslee’s Proclamation 21-14.1, University of Washington (UW) workers must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and provide proof thereof, or receive a UW-approved medical or religious exemption. This requirement will be a condition of any offer associated with this recruitment. For more information, please visit https://www.washington.edu/coronavirus/vaccination-requirement/.