Post-Doc Researcher - Mixed-Methods Diabetes Care and Aging Research

Post-Doc Researcher - Mixed-Methods Diabetes Care and Aging Research

Join to apply for the Post-Doc Researcher - Mixed-Methods Diabetes Care and Aging Research role at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
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• Department:
  Nutrition
• Posting Open Date: 11/25/2025
• Position Type:
  Postdoctoral Scholar
• Position Title:
  
  Post-Doc Researcher - Mixed-Methods Diabetes Care and Aging Research
• Vacancy
• Full-time/Part-time:
  Full-Time Permanent
• Hours per week: 40
• FTE: 1
• Work Location:
  
  Chapel Hill, NC, North Carolina, US
• Estimated Duration of Appointment: 36 months

Seeking a postdoctoral fellow to join a 3-year, fully grant‑funded position. The selected candidate will collaborate with experts in diabetes research on two clinical trials aiming to optimize the implementation of evidence‑based diabetes technologies among older adults living with diabetes.

The postdoc will join Dr. Anna Kahkoska and her team on all research and stakeholder engagement activities related to these externally funded 36‑month studies. The first study will develop and evaluate a novel CGM integration program comprising a 6‑week education and behavior change support for older adults (n = 150) using insulin, compared to two versions of standard CGM training in a single‑site, 1:1:1 randomized trial.

We will track CGM prescribing patterns over 6 months after completion of the study to evaluate clinical and patient‑reported outcomes, and analyze provider documentation to identify clinical rationale, benefits, and barriers to CGM use.

The second study will assess the feasibility and acceptability of implementing a patch hybrid closed‑loop (HCL) system in older adults with type 1 diabetes and moderate to severe cognitive impairment (n = 54 dyads) who require support from a care partner at three clinical sites across the US. Formative focus groups will anticipate barriers to HCL adoption and inform tailored training materials.

The selected candidate will collaborate on these innovative studies developing new evidence‑based approaches for implementing advanced diabetes technologies in real‑world settings.

The position will be funded for approximately 36 months, starting in August of 2025. The position is based in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, eligible for hybrid work, and includes opportunities for scientific leadership spanning data collection, analysis, and manuscript preparation, supervision and mentoring of research trainees, and dissemination of the results through conference presentations and seminars.

Relevant field such as public health, clinical research, epidemiology, anthropology, health psychology, nursing, medicine, nutrition, health services research, or related discipline.

• Doctoral degree (PhD, DrPH, MD, or equivalent) in a relevant field.
• Excellent scientific writing and communication skills, with evidence of peer‑reviewed publications or manuscripts in preparation.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively within multidisciplinary research teams.
• Experience conducting and synthesizing literature reviews, protocol development, and implementation.
• Experience conducting interviews and focus groups, managing qualitative data and analysis files, and applying qualitative analysis methods and reporting.
• Experience with quantitative data cleaning, data wrangling, and statistical analysis using statistical programming language, and proficiency with data management and analysis tools, such as REDCap, SAS, R, or NVivo (or willingness to learn).
• Strong interest in improving diabetes care for older adults, particularly those with complex, age‑related impairments.

• Familiarity with type 1 and type 2 diabetes treatments, glucose monitoring, and advanced diabetes technology; experience working with older adult participants and conducting remote data collection and virtual study coordination.
• Expertise in mixed‑methods and process evaluation, clinical trial design, behavioral interventions, and dyadic interventions.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work collaboratively in an interdisciplinary environment.
• Interest in diabetes, aging, technology implementation, or related chronic disease management.
• Demonstrated responsiveness and professionalism in email and other communications.

The University is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all to apply without regard to age, color, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.