Advanced Research Fellowship in Suicide Prevention: Big Data Science Program (Colorado)

Denver/Aurora, Colorado (Non-Accredited)

The Advanced Research Fellowship in Suicide Prevention: Big Data Science Program is currently accepting applications. Candidates are encouraged to apply and additional applications may be reviewed on a rolling basis until all positions are filled.

Fellow may focus their research and career development in these core areas:

• Public Health Suicide Prevention
• Epidemiology/Biostatistics
• Health Services Research
• Traumatic Brain Injury

We are seeking applicants for a two-year, non-clinical, postdoctoral position that combines individualized, mentored research, and training of data scientists and researchers in the high priority area of Veteran suicide risk and prevention. Big Data Fellows will learn to manage, design, and analyze large-scale, multiple element biological and/or non-biological patient data sets that contribute to suicide prevention research.

Primary mentorship will be provided by Bryann DeBeer, Ph.D., Andrew Hoisington, Ph.D., or Claire Hoffmire, Ph.D., depending on fit.

Fellows working with Dr. Bryann DeBeer would have the opportunity to work on several projects. Dr. DeBeer directs the VA Patient Safety Center of Inquiry – Suicide Prevention Collaborative, which is a national suicide prevention research center within the VA. As a part of this work, Dr. DeBeer and her colleagues have developed a novel Veteran suicide prevention learning collaborative that aids community agencies in building suicide prevention programs in their own organization. The Fellow would have the opportunity to be involved in community building activities. Dr. DeBeer is also developing and testing three new interventions: 1) a lethal means safety intervention that involves a concerned significant other; 2) an intervention that provides brief therapy to Veterans who are at risk for suicide, yet ineligible for VA care; 3) an intervention that follows Veterans who are “dual-users” (e.g., receive both VA and community care). The Fellow would also have the ability to contribute to publications based on this research.

Fellows working with Dr. Andrew Hoisington would be working with existing microbiome data sets (16S and whole genome sequencing) for identification of external factors that might influence the gut, oral, and skin microbiome in relation to mental health outcomes for Veterans. The Fellow will learn to manage, design, and analyze large-scale, multiple element biological and/or biological patient data sets that contribute to suicide prevention research. This is a unique opportunity in training and research applications for microbiome researchers to be incorporated into a team that is studying clinical outcomes in a human population to assist reducing negative mental health outcomes in Veterans.

Dr. Claire Hoffmire, Epidemiologist, is seeking a Fellow that will contribute to research within the ASPIRE Lab, which is focused on improving suicide prevention for historically underrepresented or underserved Veterans, including but not limited to, women Veterans, Veterans not engaged in VA healthcare, and racial and ethnic minority Veterans. The Fellow will be part of an interdisciplinary team that prioritizes a Team Science model and will have the opportunity to work and publish on multiple large-scale, public-health oriented survey and/or administrative data studies.

To learn more about our training faculty please visit the Research Staff page. Follow the link to learn more about the Military and Veteran Microbiome Consortium for Research and Education co-led by Dr. Hoisington. In addition, please follow the link to learn more about the ASPIRE Lab co-led by Dr. Hoffmire.

Location: Denver, Colorado

For a more comprehensive look at our program please review our Training Manual. [PDF opens in new tab/window]

Start date: To be determined - negotiated with qualified applicants.

Deadline: Applicants are encouraged to apply and additional applications may be reviewed on a rolling basis until positions are filled.

Eligibility Requirements

• US Citizenship
• Applicants must hold a doctorate degree (Ph.D. or equivalent degree in epidemiology, health services research, public health science, or a closely related field preferred) at the start of the Fellowship.

Application Materials

• 1-2-page cover letter describing research interests and professional accomplishments
• Curriculum Vitae
• 2 letters of recommendation, with at least 1 being from someone familiar with applicant’s research work
• 3 references with contact information (can include the two letter writers)
• Writing sample (preferably published work)

Applications from Veterans, women, racial and ethnic minorities, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged.

Please send Application Materials or direct questions to:

Director of Training: Ryan.Holliday@va.gov

Last Updated 19 October 2023