Staff Scientist - Public Health Sciences

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center is an independent, nonprofit organization providing adult cancer treatment and groundbreaking research focused on cancer and infectious diseases. Based in Seattle, Fred Hutch is the only National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center in Washington.

 

With a track record of global leadership in bone marrow transplantation, HIV/AIDS prevention, immunotherapy and COVID-19 vaccines, Fred Hutch has earned a reputation as one of the world’s leading cancer, infectious disease and biomedical research centers. Fred Hutch operates eight clinical care sites that provide medical oncology, infusion, radiation, proton therapy and related services, and network affiliations with hospitals in five states. Together, our fully integrated research and clinical care teams seek to discover new cures to the world’s deadliest diseases and make life beyond cancer a reality.

 

At Fred Hutch we value collaboration, compassion, determination, excellence, innovation, integrity and respect. Our mission is directly tied to the humanity, dignity and inherent value of each employee, patient, community member and supporter. Our commitment to learning across our differences and similarities make us stronger. We seek employees who bring different and innovative ways of seeing the world and solving problems.

 

We are seeking a Staff Scientist to join the Tobacco-Related Health Disparities (TREHD) research team, led by Principal Investigator Jaimee Heffner, PhD, in the Public Health Sciences Division of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center. The TREHD research program focuses primarily on developing and evaluating tobacco cessation interventions tailored for specific populations, including people with mental health conditions, LGBTQ+ people, and US Veterans. A secondary area of research focuses on developing health behavior change interventions focused on alcohol use among cancer patients and survivors.  Current active NIH-funded projects include studies to develop and evaluate mobile health applications for young adult vaping cessation and for young adults who use multiple tobacco products, using a treatment approach based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. Another active project focuses on testing a mobile health app for adult smoking cessation that is based on principles of Behavioral Activation. The TREHD group also maintains significant collaborative projects with research partners at other institutions, including Kaiser Permanente and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Candidates should have an interest in developing and testing interventions for nicotine and tobacco cessation in diverse populations using digital platforms. The Staff Scientist will work under the direction of Dr. Jaimee Heffner, Associate Professor in the Fred Hutch Division of Public Health Sciences. The Staff Scientist is expected to provide significant leadership for the overall lab group and function relatively independently.

 

Responsibilities include:

• Developing and implementing research protocols for decentralized clinical trials, including overseeing and conducting mental health assessments
• Leading or supporting intervention development activities, in collaboration with a multi-disciplinary team
• Grant writing
• Analyzing data and presenting research findings in presentations and manuscripts
• Oversight of research staff and study progress

Required Qualifications

• PhD or doctoral equivalent in Clinical/Counseling Psychology, Social Work, or related fields
• Experience implementing clinical trials of behavioral interventions, including assessment and management of mental health-related adverse events
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Successful track record of manuscript publication
• Demonstrated ability to work well within interdisciplinary teams and collaborations
• A long-term interest in a non-tenure track staff scientist position
• An interest in making tobacco treatment more accessible and effective for underserved populations

Preferred Qualifications:

• 2 years of post-doctoral research experience in a related field
• First-authored or co-authored research publications in the area of nicotine and tobacco cessation
• Experience managing project teams
• Experience managing Institutional Review Board and other administrative research processes
• Clinical training and experience with Motivational Interviewing, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and/or Behavioral Activation
• Experience developing mobile health or other digital interventions
• Successful track record in obtaining research grants
• Experience working with underserved communities
• Experience with decentralized clinical trial methodology

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The annual base salary range for this position is from $84,406 to $191,755, and pay offered will be based on experience and qualifications.

This position is not eligible for H1-B sponsorship at this time.

 

This position may be eligible for relocation assistance.

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center offers employees a comprehensive benefits package designed to enhance health, well-being, and financial security. Benefits include medical/vision, dental, flexible spending accounts, life, disability, retirement, family life support, employee assistance program, onsite health clinic, tuition reimbursement, paid vacation (22 days per year), paid sick leave (up to 30 calendar days per occurrence of a qualifying reason), paid holidays (up to 13 days per year), and paid parental leave (up to 4 weeks).

We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, ancestry, national origin, sex, age, disability (physical or mental), marital or veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, political ideology, or membership in any other legally protected class. We desire priority referrals of protected veterans. If due to a disability you need assistance/and or a reasonable accommodation during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to Human Resources at hrops@fredhutch.org or by calling 206-667-4700.