The Texas A&M University System

Agency

Department

The Texas A&M Center at Dallas Healthy Living Research team is seeking applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate with a focus on development and evaluation of health behavior interventions under the mentorship of Dr. Chad Rethorst. Individuals with an interest in one or more of the following areas are strongly encouraged to apply:

• Development, adaptation, and optimization of physical activity and/or diet interventions
• mHealth technologies for monitoring, assessment, and intervention delivery
• Effects of physical activity and/or diet interventions on chronic disease and mental health outcomes

The successful candidate will join a cohort of Postdoctoral Research Associates within the Health Living Research team, create an Individual Development Plan in close collaboration with Dr. Rethorst, receive training in grant writing, and have opportunities for research dissemination through published manuscripts and conference presentations. Further, the successful candidate will be actively engaged in existing research projects (e.g., development of an app-based cardiovascular disease prevention intervention, microrandomized trials to support development of just-in-time adaptative interventions target physical activity and dietary behaviors, behavioral activation intervention to increase physical activity in persons with depression) and will have the opportunity to develop a pilot project to support submission of a career development award proposal.

Interested individuals can contact Chad Rethorst (chad.rethorst@ag.tamu.edu) for further information.

Texas A&M AgriLife supports healthy living for all Texans, through the research of targeted agricultural practices that yield nutritious food sources, outreach programs that train community members on growing their own food, and preservation of natural resources via eco-friendly means, all while following practices that lead to a stronger Texas economy. Overseen by the Office of the Vice-Chancellor and Dean for the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Texas A&M AgriLife includes the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, Texas A&M AgriLife Research, the College of Agriculture & Life Sciences at Texas A&M University, Texas A&M Forest Service, and Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory.

The Texas A&M AgriLife Center at Dallas houses scientific research, public outreach, and education programs. The Center is a regional hub for all Texas A&M AgriLife activity. It is one of 13 AgriLife Centers across the state - each focusing on issues specific to their region. Initiatives at Dallas hinge on healthy living, urban agriculture and forestry, and water and land resource management. Healthy Living programs at the Center, led by Dr. Rebecca Seguin-Fowler, implement, evaluate, and disseminate scientific solutions, applicable to all Texans, for improved public health. We aim to understand the means of building communities around healthy living and about facilitating the delivery of current, accurate, evidence-based programs, guidelines, and information that supports healthier living for Texans. A state-of-the-art building for healthy living initiatives at the Dallas campus was opened in 2023.

The Postdoctoral Research Associate responsibilities will include playing an active role in research, including project/program conceptualization, development, implementation, and evaluation. Participates in grant proposal development and engages in career development and training opportunities. The successful candidate develops a pilot project to support career development along with working on existing projects. 

Responsibilities:

• Primary responsibilities include engaging in an active role in research, including project/program conceptualization, development, implementation, and evaluation

• Participates on grant proposal development

• Engages in career development and training opportunities geared toward preparation for a faculty career

• Develops a pilot project to support career development along with working on existing projects

• Performs other duties as assigned

Required Education and Experience:

• PhD in Kinesiology, Nutrition, Public Health, Psychology or related field

​Preferred Education and Experience:

• Experience developing interventions and related research studies in the following areas: physical activity, nutrition, mHealth, mental health

• Experience conducting human subjects research

• Experience with data analysis, including sufficient knowledge in statistical tools and software

• Experience working with individuals and communities

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:​

• Appropriate research background, as demonstrated by publications in peer-reviewed journals, grant funding, and stature appropriate for a postdoctoral scholar

• Strong critical thinking skills

• Ability to work independently and manage priorities and tasks as assigned

• Excellent oral and written communication skills

• Desire and ability to work collaboratively and help maintain a supportive team environment

• Highly organized and detail-oriented

• Professional demeanor

• Ability to establish effective working relationships

All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Veterans/Disability Employer.