The Mindfulness for Health Equity Lab (mHEAL) directed by Dr. Shufang Sun, Assistant
Professor at Brown University School of Public Health and Brown Alpert Medical School,
provides an outstanding environment for interdisciplinary behavioral health research across
public health, counseling/clinical psychology, and biomedical and behavioral science. Dr. Sun
and her team are seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate interested in intervention research
development and evaluation related to LGBTQ+ health research and mindfulness-based
interventions. The duration of the position is at least 1 year (100% FTE), with possibility of
renewal depending on funding and satisfactory progress. Specifically, the postdoctoral research
associate will work with Professor Sun, her team at Brown University, and a team of
investigators from institutions across the U.S. to support a randomized controlled trial research.
The intervention to be evaluated, called “Mindfulness-based Queer Resilience (MBQR)”, was
developed by Professor Sun and her team and tailored to LGBTQ health promotion, will be
delivered via the internet and aim to enhance mental and sexual health with racially diverse
young adult gay, bisexual, and queer men. This research is supported by NIH to investigate the
potential utility of mindfulness as a public health tool for HIV prevention and sexual and mental
health promotion with sexual minority men. In the next phase of a randomized controlled trial,
we will heavily recruit Black and Latino/x men and other sexual minority men of color.
The main work of the postdoctoral research associate will be support the RCT of MBQR, while
there are other ongoing research projects in Professor Sun’s lab that may fit the their career
development goals and they may choose to devote 10-20% of their effort in for the purpose of
research experience, publications, and career advancement. These optional projects may
include mindfulness-based eating behavior intervention research with sexual minority women at
risk for obesity, mindfulness intervention research for women with gestational diabetes, and HIV
and mental health research (intervention and non-intervention) with transgender and gender
nonconforming people in the U.S. and China.
Responsibilities of the postdoctoral fellow include: (a) oversee assessment, data management
and data cleaning of the RCT of MBQR; (b) conduct exit-interviews with Dr. Sun and supervise
qualitative data analysis upon training; (c) collaborate with Dr. Sun and other members of the
lab to analyze data from a recently completed clinical trial of MBQR and/or quantitative and
qualitative data from the lab; (d) draft manuscripts as first author or assist paper preparation as
co-author for peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations; (e) assist with
community-facing aspects of the research, such as recruitment and dissemination of research
findings to relevant communities (LGBTQ+ organizations, mental health providers, mindfulness
teachers); (f) provide clinical and diversity support for MBQR intervention as needed; (g) actively
participate in lab meetings and contribute to a lab environment that emphasizes diversity,
community learning, knowledge and resource sharing, and strength-based approach to career
advancement.
Position Requirements: PhD, ScD, or DrPH in Counseling/Clinical Psychology, Mental Health,
Social and Behavioral Science, Community Health, or related field in public health. The
successful candidate will have (a) training in behavioral/mental health intervention research; (b)
experience and strong interest in working with LGBTQ+ communities, and experience with
LGBTQ+ people of color is highly valued; (c) strong interpersonal and program management
skills; (d) content knowledge in mindfulness, internet-based behavioral health research; (e)
programming skills (experience with R, STATA, or SAS are particularly desirable) and data
analysis skills (quantitative and qualitative); (f) peer-reviewed publications; (g) strong writing
skills.
Candidates should apply with a cover letter (summarizing research experience,
qualifications, and career goals, as well as addressing the reasons for their interest in the
position and their commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, and/or how they intend to show
this commitment in future work through scholarship, teaching, mentoring, service and
community engagement), curriculum vitae, and sample publication or equivalent.
Brown University provides equal opportunity and prohibits discrimination, harassment and retaliation based upon a person’s race, color, religion, sex, age, national or ethnic origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law, in the administration of its policies, programs, and activities. The University recognizes and rewards individuals on the basis of qualifications and performance. The University maintains certain affirmative action programs in compliance with applicable law.
