Employment Opportunities

VA St. Louis Health Care System | St. Louis, MO | On-site

How to Apply: Apply here through Indeed

About the Clinical Epidemiology Center

The Clinical Epidemiology Center at the VA St. Louis Health Care System is recruiting multiple Postdoctoral Fellows in clinical epidemiology and pharmacoepidemiology. The Center is directed by Dr. Ziyad Al-Aly, an internationally recognized leader in clinical epidemiology and pharmacoepidemiology (TIME100 Health honoree; Clarivate Highly Cited Researcher). Our team leverages large-scale electronic health records and advanced epidemiologic/causal inference methods to generate evidence with real-world impact. We have a strong publication record in leading journals (e.g., Nature, Science, Nature Medicine, NEJM, JAMA, BMJ, and others).

Position Summary

Fellows will gain advanced, hands-on experience designing and executing real-world evidence studies using the U.S. Veterans Health Administration national healthcare databases. You will contribute to study design, analysis plans, statistical analyses, interpretation, and preparation of manuscripts and presentations.

Fellows are expected to contribute to a robust pipeline of high-impact publications and will be supported in pursuing extramural funding (VA, NIH, and others) and transitioning to independence in academia, industry, or related paths.

Fellowship Tracks (choose one)

Clinical Epidemiology Track
Focus: long-term health effects of COVID-19 and other acute infections, vaccine effectiveness, and infectious disease epidemiology.

Pharmacoepidemiology Track
Focus: comparative effectiveness and medication safety using advanced causal inference methods.

Key Responsibilities

• Design observational studies and emulate target trials using VHA data
• Develop statistical analysis plans; implement reproducible workflows
• Conduct and interpret analyses (causal inference / confounding control)
• Draft manuscripts, abstracts, and presentations; respond to peer review
• Collaborate with an interdisciplinary team and contribute to methodological innovation

Required Qualifications

• Doctoral degree (PhD or equivalent) in epidemiology, biostatistics, statistics,
• Strong SAS programming skills (required)
• Excellent scientific writing and communication; ability to present results clearly
• Commitment to collaborative, team-based research

Preferred Qualifications

• R and/or Python experience
• Causal inference experience (e.g., target trial emulation, propensity scores, g-methods, ML for causal inference)
• Experience with large datasets/EHR-based research
• Demonstrated publication record

Appointment, Salary, and Location

• Renewable annually (appointment renewal contingent on performance)
• Salary: $75,815 +  $22,744 fringe paid directly to employee; total package $98,559
• Start date: Target March 2026 (flexible for exceptional candidates)
• Location: VA St. Louis Health Care System, St. Louis, MO — not remote/virtual

Work Authorization

• Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. at start date.
• Candidates currently in the U.S. on OPT will be considered.
• H-1B may be possible for candidates already in the U.S., subject to institutional eligibility and approvals.

How to Apply

Please apply on INDEED: https://www.indeed.com/job/postdoctoral-fellow-aee811b987bd97d7

Please submit: (1) CV, (2) brief cover letter indicating preferred track and methodological interests, (3) contact information for 2–3 references.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until positions are filled. 

If you have any questions, please email:  info@vrefstl.org or Allison.shafer@va.gov

​VA St. Louis Health Care System | St. Louis, MO | On-site

How to Apply: Apply here through Indeed

The Veterans Research and Education Foundation (VREF) is looking for a Clinical Research Coordinator. We are a non-profit corporation established to facilitate and support the medical research and educational mission of the VA St. Louis Healthcare System (VASTLHCS). We promote biomedical and health service research for the benefit of Veteran patients.

Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $30.43
Work Location: In person

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Performs research activities as outlined in the protocol; implementing and organizing clinical research studies assigned to him/her which includes but is not limited to:
2. Conducts clinical studies as outlined in the study protocol within the local and federal regulations and guidelines; adheres to good clinical practices.
3. Works as part of a team focused on oncology research where use of both written and verbal communication with research staff, clinical staff, patients and families is a daily necessity.
4. Prepares and processes human specimens for use in research studies. Collects blood, urine, and other samples as needed according to skill level and certifications.
5. Collects and controls research data and subject information; and maintains accurate data collection of all study data.
6. Creates source documents that facilitate systematic data collection and/or aid in protocol execution and management and record keeping; and conducts accurate and timely subject data collection.
7. Collaborates, coordinates, and schedules subject study visits with other hospital services and the PI/sub-I.
8. Enrollment of subjects according to ICH/GCP regulations, and subjects’ rights through institutional IRB, federal and state regulations. This also involves the ability to explain technical information so that it is understood by patients and their families.
9. Adheres to departmental quality control guidelines.
10. Ensures that the investigator verifies that the subject meets inclusion/exclusion criteria; verified that the subject and/or legal guardian has provided informed consent; answers questions related to the protocol procedure as applicable; acts as a patient/family advocate.
11. Assists PI in education of other study personnel with regards to study responsibilities and keeps written documentation of this training.
12. Alerts the investigator when the subject’s safety is in jeopardy, there is a protocol deviation, or when the subject requests premature study termination.
13. Completes Electronic Data Capture (eDC) & Case Report Forms (CRFs) as instructed by the sponsor; ensures eDC & CRF’s are completed prior to monitoring visits.
14. Responsible for regulatory/IRB issues after a study has been initiated; maintains regulatory binders.
15. Coaches and mentors new clinical research coordinators.
16. Performs other duties and maintains schedule as required by a protocol or unit needs.

Required Abilities

• Associate degree or equivalent work-related experience.
• Understanding of medical terminology and clinical trials.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to interact with staff, patients and families.
• Skills required:
  • Working knowledge of PCs and word processing and data management software,
  • Verbal and written communication,
  • Goal-oriented; self-directed,
  • Ability to actively participate as a team player.
• Live within 60 miles of the VA St. Louis Healthcare System-JC (63106) or willing to relocate to the St. Louis area if offered position. (This is not a remote / telework position)
• This is a full time not to exceed 3 years position.

Preferred Abilities

• Certified Clinical Research Coordinator Certification and experience in Oncology research preferred
• Experience with conducting in person study visits strongly preferred

Clinical Epidemiology Center (CEC) | VA St. Louis Health Care System

Full-Time | On-Site Only (No Remote or Telework) | St. Louis, MO

Salary: $170,000 – $180,000 (commensurate with experience)

How to Apply: Apply here through Indeed

The Opportunity

The Clinical Epidemiology Center (CEC) at the VA St. Louis Health Care System is one of the country’s most productive research groups using large-scale health data to answer urgent public health questions — from Long COVID outcomes to the effectiveness and risks of GLP-1 drugs. Our work is published in Nature, Science, The BMJ, and the New England Journal of Medicine, and has been covered by the AP, Reuters, NPR, CNN, NYTimes, and National Geographic.

We are looking for a Director of Operations and Strategy to serve as Chief of Staff and run the engine behind this work. You will oversee budget, operations, and strategy. You will be responsible for managing and growing a multidisciplinary team and helping shape the Center’s strategic direction as we scale.

This role is ideal for someone who thrives on making complex operations run smoothly, communicates clearly across audiences, and wants their work to have a direct impact on public health evidence and policy.

What You’ll Do

Project and Operations Leadership

• Own the Center’s budget — develop annual budgets, track expenditures, forecast funding needs, and ensure responsible stewardship of research funds.
• Drive day-to-day operations of the Center, establishing workflows, tracking milestones across concurrent projects, and ensuring deliverables meet timelines and regulatory requirements.
• Manage all personnel operations including hiring, onboarding, performance management, and team development for a multidisciplinary staff of researchers and support professionals.
• Oversee resource planning including physical space, IT systems, equipment, and infrastructure — anticipating needs and solving problems as the Center scales.
• Identify and cultivate new funding sources and donor relationships to expand the Center’s resource base and support its growing research portfolio.

Team and Talent Development

• Supervise, mentor, and support CEC staff, building a high-performing team and fostering professional growth.
• Lead recruitment and onboarding of new team members, contributing to hiring decisions and team composition.

Communications and Visibility

• Develop, grow, and maintain the Center’s web presence and social media channels to communicate our research to broad audiences.
• Organize and run various engagement activities including a monthly lecture series, research seminars, and an annual summit, coordinating speakers, content, and logistics.
• Proactively develop an internal and external communications strategy to advance the Center’s strategic goals and elevate its public profile.

Strategy and Stakeholder Engagement

• Contribute to the Center’s strategic planning — helping prioritize projects, allocate resources, and plan for growth.
• Form, staff, and maintain a strategic advisory board and a stakeholder engagement board to guide the Center’s direction and deepen external partnerships.
• Serve as a key liaison among investigators, project teams, and internal and external stakeholders.

Who You Are

Required

• 8–10 years of progressively responsible experience managing operations in a research, academic, or public health environment.
• Demonstrated budget management experience: developing annual budgets, tracking expenditures, and forecasting funding needs.
• Supervisory experience including hiring, performance management, mentoring, and developing a multidisciplinary team.
• Experience with fundraising, donor cultivation, or grant development to expand an organization’s resource base.
• Strategic communications ability: experience developing and executing internal and external communications strategies, not just producing content.
• Strong organizational and interpersonal skills with a track record of working across disciplines, levels, and external partners.
• A builder mentality: comfort standing up new processes, systems, and governance structures rather than maintaining established ones.
• A track record of independently identifying problems, proposing solutions, and driving them to completion without waiting for direction.

Preferred

• Experience forming (not just supporting) advisory boards, committees, or similar governance structures.
• Familiarity with research regulations, IRB processes, and compliance requirements in clinical or public health research.
• Proficiency with project management tools (e.g., Asana, Monday, MS Project), Microsoft Office, web content management systems, and social media platforms.
• PMP certification or equivalent project management credential.

Compensation and Benefits

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience (range: $170,000 – $180,000).
• 30% fringe benefit paid directly to the employee, in addition to base salary.
• Employee is responsible for purchasing their own health insurance.
• Position is renewable annually.
• This position is employed through the Veterans Research and Education Foundation (VREF) of St. Louis, the nonprofit research corporation affiliated with the VA St. Louis Health Care System.

Start Date: Immediate / Open (flexible for the right candidate).

This is not a remote, virtual, or telework position. Daily on-site presence is required.

How to Apply

Submit your resume, a cover letter describing your relevant experience, and contact information for at least three professional references.