Details **Open Date** 10/01/2025 **Requisition Number** PRN43228B **Job Title** Post Doc Res Assoc **Working Title** Post Doc Res Assoc **Career Progression Track** A00 **Track Level** **FLSA Code** Administrative **Patient Sensitive Job Code?** No **Standard Hours per Week** 40 **Full Time or Part Time?** Full Time **Shift** Day **Work Schedule Summary** Monday to Friday, 9 am – 5 pm **VP Area** President **Department** 01938 - HCI Mary Playdon Research Prog **Location** Campus **City** Salt Lake City, UT **Type of Recruitment** External Posting **Pay Rate Range** 20000 to 37900 **Close Date** 06/30/2026 **Priority Review Date (Note - Posting may close at any time)** **Job Summary** The Department of Nutrition and Integrative Physiology at the University of Utah, in partnership with the Huntsman Cancer Institute, is seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Research Associate to join the lab of Dr. Mary Playdon. This position is funded by an NIH U01 grant from the National Cancer Institute Metabolic Dysregulation and Cancer Risk (MeDOC) consortium focused on understanding the mechanisms underlying obesity-driven colorectal cancer risk. The successful candidate will lead epidemiological studies within this multi-institutional consortium project, integrating lipidomics/metabolomics, dietary intake data, and cancer outcomes to identify novel biomarkers and mechanisms linking diet/obesity, metabolism, and cancer risk. This position is funded for up to 2 years with potential for renewal. The University of Utah is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer and encourages applications from individuals of all backgrounds. For more information about Dr. Playdon’s research, visit her faculty profile**https://profiles.faculty.utah.edu/u6017378**. Details about the NIH -funded project can be found here: **https://reporter.nih.gov/search/sGeRt3ArxE6X84pwij99nQ/project-details/11063677** **https://medoc.bsc.gwu.edu/web/medoc** _Huntsman Cancer Institute is committed to cancer prevention, care, and survivorship for all communities within the area we serve – which includes Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Utah, and Wyoming – with impact worldwide._ _In your cover letter or during your interview process, we invite you to share how your professional experiences have prepared you to serve as a member of our team as we work to reduce the cancer burden experienced by all people and communities. This may include description of your prior experiences related to research, prevention, clinical care, community engagement/outreach, training, administration, or other areas relevant to Huntsman Cancer Institute’s mission and this position._ **Responsibilities** + Conduct epidemiologic analyses using data from human cohorts. + Apply lipidomics and other molecular profiling techniques to identify and validate cancer risk biomarkers. + Investigate metabolic pathways and mechanisms linking diet, obesity, and cancer. + Collaborate with national and international partners across multiple institutions. + Prepare manuscripts for publication and present findings at scientific conferences. + Assist in grant writing and progress reporting to NIH . + Mentor junior researchers and contribute to lab meetings and collaborative discussions. + Ensure compliance with IRB protocols and data security standards. **Minimum Qualifications** * PhD in Epidemiology, Nutrition, Public Health or related field. * Experience in population-based research and statistical modeling. * Strong publication record and scientific writing skills. * Proficiency in statistical software (e.g., R, SAS ). * Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team. **Preferences** + Experience with metabolomics or other ‘omics data. + Familiarity with dietary assessment methods and biomarker validation. + Background in cancer epidemiology or nutritional epidemiology. + Experience with multi-site collaborations and data harmonization. **Type** Benefited Staff **Special Instructions Summary** **Additional Information** The University is a participating employer with Utah Retirement Systems (“URS”). Eligible new hires with prior URS service, may elect to enroll in URS if they make the election before they become eligible for retirement (usually the first day of work). Contact Human Resources at (801) 581-7447 for information. Individuals who previously retired and are receiving monthly retirement benefits from URS are subject to URS’ post-retirement rules and restrictions. Please contact Utah Retirement Systems at (801) 366-7770 or (800) 695-4877 or University Human Resource Management at (801) 581-7447 if you have questions regarding the post-retirement rules. This position may require the successful completion of a criminal background check and/or drug screen. The University of Utah values candidates who have experience working in settings with students and patients from all backgrounds and possess a strong commitment to improving access to higher education and quality healthcare for historically underrepresented students and patients. All qualified individuals are strongly encouraged to apply. Veterans’ preference is extended to qualified applicants, upon request and consistent with University policy and Utah state law. Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process will be provided to individuals with disabilities. The University of Utah is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer and does not discriminate based upon race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, or protected veteran’s status. The University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX and 34 CFR part 106. The requirement not to discriminate in education programs or activities extends to admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and its regulations may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, to the Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, or both. To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability or if you or someone you know has experienced discrimination or sexual misconduct including sexual harassment, you may contact the Director/Title IX Coordinator in the Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action ( OEO /AA). More information, including the Director/Title IX Coordinator’s office address, electronic mail address, and telephone number can be located at: https://www.utah.edu/nondiscrimination/ Online reports may be submitted at oeo.utah.edu https://safety.utah.edu/safetyreport This report includes statistics about criminal offenses, hate crimes, arrests and referrals for disciplinary action, and Violence Against Women Act offenses. They also provide information about safety and security-related services offered by the University of Utah. A paper copy can be obtained by request at the Department of Public Safety located at 1658 East 500 South.