The Yale Department of Pediatrics is seeking a postgraduate associate to pursue clinical research in sickle cell disease (SCD) and pain under the mentorship of Dr. Nitya Bakshi, Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Director of the Pediatric SCD Program at Yale University. The research laboratory is focused on the study of chronic pain in SCD. The goal of the research laboratory is to improve outcomes and care for persons with SCD. The research program is focused on studying chronic pain phenotypes and their longitudinal outcomes in SCD using survey instruments, quantitative sensory testing approaches, and qualitative methods. The lab also has significant expertise in qualitative methods, and their application to study pain and decision making in SCD, particularly as it related to chronic SCD pain. The lab is now expanding its focus to refining a yoga intervention and studying the feasibility of yoga for chronic SCD pain and anticipates a future clinical trial.
The postgraduate associate will facilitate screening and recruitment in SCD clinics and follow-up for participants and receive hands-on clinical research experience in a mentored environment. The postgraduate associate will collect and manage data from research participants and learn skills in data management in RedCAP and OnCore. The postgraduate associate will present their progress in weekly meetings. The postgraduate associate will have the opportunity to engage with sickle cell communities in New Haven and nationally, and will also collaborate with external collaborators of the Bakshi lab.
Education: The postgraduate will be immersed in a clinical and clinical research environment. This position will enhance the postgraduate associate’s education and skillset in SCD observational and clinical trials design and data analyses and qualitative research methods in SCD. The postgraduate associate will have an opportunity for authorship and co-authorship of manuscripts and assist with grant writing, with direct mentorship from Dr. Bakshi, and based on their individual career goals. This position will thus prepare the candidate for an advanced degree program, for e.g., a PhD or MD program.
Training: The postgraduate associate will learn skills in research study design and study implementation and will receive hands on clinical research experience. The postgraduate associate will also have access to education/trainings in clinical research at the Yale Center for Clinical Investigation (YCCI), and also receive education/training in the responsible conduct of research.
Mentoring: The postgraduate associate will be under the mentorship and supervision of Dr. Bakshi and will have the opportunity to collaborate with several national leaders in SCD at Yale University, and elsewhere. The postgraduate associate will attend 1–2X weekly meetings with Dr. Bakshi. They will work alongside other student trainees in the lab. The postgraduate associate will be expected to develop an individual career development plan. The postgraduate associate’s career development will also be supported to attend national conferences and present abstracts/posters, and to contribute to publications from the lab.
The training position is located at Yale University Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology. The position is for one year, with the possibility of renewal for a second year.
Start date of position is flexible and will be contingent on availability of funding and institutional regulations.
• Qualifications:
-Commitment to working with persons with sickle cell disease
-Minimum qualification is a bachelor’s degree
-Experience in clinical research or clinical care
-Excellent organizational skills
-Prior experience in data management/data processing and software, such as R/RStudio, is preferred but not required
-Prior experience with Epic electronic health records is preferred but not required
• Process to Apply:
If interested, please email a cover letter detailing their interest in the position, CV, a writing sample (prior publication, thesis, or similar), and names of 3 references to nitya.bakshi@yale.edu.