Research Scientist at the Hennepin Healthcare Research Institute (HHRI) and

the Department of Medicine at Hennepin Healthcare's HCMC

The HHRI invites applications for a research scientist position mentored by Dr. Andrew Busch Ph.D. (www.bheresearch.org/investigators). Dr. Sandra Japuntich, Ph.D. (www.bheresearch.org/investigators), Kate Diaz Vickery, M.D. (www.hhcjlab.org/kate-diaz-vickery), Tyler Winkelman M.D. (https://www.hhcjlab.org/tyler-winkelman), and Jason Baker, M.D. (www.hennepinhealthcare.org/provider/jason-v-baker-md-ms/) are available as secondary mentors depending on an applicant's research interests.

The ideal candidate will have a strong research background and interest in conducting behavioral clinical trials. Previous experience in one or more of the following areas would be preferred: depression treatment, smoking cessation treatment, health behavior change for primary or secondary prevention of chronic illness, behavioral treatments for vulnerable populations (e.g., people with serious mental illness, people experiencing homelessness, people with criminal-legal involvement), interaction of physical and mental health, exercise as a treatment for mental illness, and Behavioral Activation counseling. BIPOC individuals and women are especially encouraged to apply.

HHRI is the third largest medical research non-profit in Minnesota and ranks in the top seven percent nationally of all institutions receiving research grants from the National Institutes of Health. At the HHRI, we have been actively investigating the causes of and potential treatments for diseases since 1952. We support and oversee the medical research conducted at HCMC, an acute care research and teaching hospital located in downtown Minneapolis. In an academic environment that emphasizes patient care, research, and teaching, HHRI helps offer patients better care now and hope for improved healthcare in the future.

HCMC is a 484 bed public teaching hospital located in downtown Minneapolis, MN. HCMC employs approximately 7,000 people and is Minnesota's largest safety net hospital. HCMC conducts approximately 600,000 clinic visits annually and is the state's premier Level 1 Trauma Center. The majority of HCMC patients are of minority racial and/or ethnic backgrounds.

POSITION DESCRIPTION:

Our lab works to promote health equity in our urban safety net healthcare system and beyond. This position would generally focus on depression treatment and/or health behavior change among patients with mental illness, BIPOC individuals, and other underserved populations.

A person in this position would have the opportunity to contribute to multiple ongoing clinical trials including:

• A MOST RCT to optimize a behavioral intervention to increase physical activity in older adults living with HIV (R01AG077989)
• A PCORI funded multi-site noninferiority trial of tele-delivered Behavioral Activation vs tele-delivered yoga for depression
• An RCT testing Behavioral Activation for smoking cessation and depression in cardiac patients (R01HL136327)
• An RCT testing proactive outreach for smoking cessation in BIPOC primary care patients (P50MD017342)
• An RCT testing Behavioral Activation for medication adherence and psychological wellness in people experiencing homelessness with diabetes (K23DK118117; R03DK133553).
• An open trial testing Behavioral Activation for multiple health behavior change and psychological wellness in people experiencing homelessness with CVD (P50MD017342)
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Based Retention Intervention for newly diagnosed HIV patients (R01MH119919)

Other active lines of research without ongoing trials to which a person in this position could contribute to include:

• Integrating multiple health behavior change and depression treatment in cardiac patients (see https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35113860/)
• Smoking cessation among those with criminal-legal involvement (see https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34228127/)
• Strength training as a treatment for depression in men (see https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35448974/)
• Smoking cessation among those with serious mental illness (see https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33593332/)

Dr. Busch has a long history of collaboration with researchers at the University of Minnesota, where there are excellent collaborative opportunities. Dr. Busch is a faculty member and co-lead of the Investigator Development Core of the University of Minnesota Center for Chronic Disease Reduction and Equity Promotion Across Minnesota (C2DREAM; https://med.umn.edu/healthdisparities/research/chronic-disease-reduction-equity). Dr. Busch is a faculty member and mentor for the University of Minnesota Masonic Cancer Center (www.cancer.umn.edu) and the Program in Health Disparities Research (https://med.umn.edu/healthdisparities). Institutional K awards (KL2 and K12 programs) are available through the University of Minnesota.

This position is designed for individuals seeking to establish an independent research career in clinical trials. Primary responsibilities involve 1) project management on ongoing funded projects (50% effort), 2) contributing to lab grant proposals and manuscripts (25% effort), and 3) independent scholarship, including leading manuscript submissions and submitting grant proposals as PI (25% effort). A travel allowance is provided and funds are available for fellow initiated pilot studies. An NIH grant submission as PI during the first year in this position is expected.

QUALIFICATIONS:

We are seeking an independent and motivated colleague interested in learning new skills, and to lead multidisciplinary projects. Typical qualifications would be a M.D., or PhD degree though applicants with any doctoral level degree will be considered. For clinical psychologists, a path to licensure in Minnesota may be provided through clinical hours on research studies.

HOW TO APPLY:

We will continue to review submissions until the position is filled. Latest expected start date Fall 2023. Submit a letter of interest, CV, and contact information for three references to: https://www.hhrinstitute.org/career-opportunities/

Questions about this position or requests for more detailed information can be directed to Dr. Andrew Busch Andrew.Busch@hcmed.org.

MANDATORY COVID-19 Vaccine Requirement

AA/EOE of Minorities, Women, Disabilities and Veterans