Post-doctoral Fellow - Epidemiology, Traumatic Brain Injury, Brain Aging, and Dementia

Location:

University of Pennsylvania

Open Date:
Oct 19, 2026

Deadline:

Dr. Andrea Schneider in the Departments of Neurology and Epidemiology at the University of Pennsylvania isseeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Fellow tojoin an NIH-funded research program focused on understanding howtraumatic brain injury (TBI) contributes to cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (AD/ADRD) across the lifecourse.

TBI is an important and potentially modifiable risk factor fordementia, yet the mechanisms through which TBI influences long-termcognitive health-and the time course over which these associationsemerge-remain poorly understood.

This project addresses these critical gaps by leveraging data from more than 40,000 participantsfrom four large, NIH-funded prospective cohort studies: the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health), Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study, Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) Study, and Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA).

The project uses anaccelerated longitudinal/cohort-sequential design and provides an opportunity to work with exceptionally rich longitudinal dataspanning adolescence through older adulthood.

The post-doctoral fellow will play a key role in a collaborative research program investigating how cumulative TBI exposure acrossthe life course relates to cognitive trajectories and incidentAD/ADRD; how pre- and post-injury vascular risk factors (includinghypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, smoking, and obesity) modify these associations; and how TBI relates to biomarkers ofneurodegeneration and vascular disease.

Open to applications from U.S. citizens and foreign nationals.

Depending on the post-doctoral fellow's interests and experience,projects may include:

• Harmonizing TBI, cognitive, vascular, biomarker, and neuroimagingmeasures across large longitudinal cohorts
• Examining the relationship between cumulative TBI exposure andlong-term cognitive trajectories and dementia risk
• Developing novel life-course approaches to understanding the intersection of TBI, vascular disease, brain aging, andAD/ADRD
• Developing complementary independent research questions andmanuscripts based on the post-doctoral fellow's own scientificinterests

The post-doctoral fellow will receive close mentorship inneuroepidemiology, longitudinal epidemiologic methods, life-courseepidemiology, dementia epidemiology, biomarker analyses, and analysis of large population-based cohorts. The position is designed to support the post-doctoral fellow's development towardan independent research career, with opportunities to leadpublications, present findings at national and internationalmeetings, develop grant applications, and pursue independent research questions.

The fellow will be part of a highly collaborative research environment spanning neurology, epidemiology, biostatistics,neurocritical care, and population health. There will also be opportunities to collaborate with investigators across institutions.

Applicants should have:

• Doctoral degree in epidemiology, biostatistics, or a related field
• Strong quantitative and analytical skills
• Experience with statistical programming (e.g., R, Stata, orSAS)
• Experience analyzing longitudinal epidemiologic data is preferred
• Strong scientific writing and communication skills
• An interest in TBI, dementia/ADRD, neuroepidemiology, aging,biomarkers, or related areas

Experience with large population-based cohorts, longitudinal data analysis, survival analysis, biomarkers, or neuroimaging would be particularly valuable, but candidates with strong quantitativetraining and an interest in developing expertise in these areas are encouraged to apply.

Any questions, or follow up inquiries, can be emailed to Dr. Andrea Schneider (Andrea.Schneidernn.edu).

The University of Pennsylvania is an equal opportunity employer.

Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race,color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin(including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics), citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status or any class protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.