U.S. Health Equity Postdoctoral Research Fellow

Harvard University - Cambridge, MA

Full-time - Entry Level

Cambridge, MA

Educational Services

About the position

The U.S. Health Equity Postdoctoral Research Fellow position at Harvard University is a full-time role within the Department of Global Health and Social Medicine. This department is renowned for its commitment to improving global health delivery and promoting health equity through interdisciplinary research and training. The fellowship is established in memory of Paul Farmer and aims to support early-career researchers in their pursuit of original research projects that contribute to a more equitable and efficient U.S. health care system. The fellows will be expected to conduct their research primarily in low-income settings, addressing the complex social, economic, and political factors that influence health care access and delivery. Fellows will be assigned two mentors: a primary mentor from the Global Health and Social Medicine faculty and a co-mentor from another Harvard department, ensuring a comprehensive support system tailored to the fellow's research interests. The fellowship includes a stipend, as well as funding for research and professional development. The department's senior faculty lead research in various areas, including digital technology for health care, the ecology of poverty, health care delivery systems, and the health impacts of climate change, among others. This program is designed to cultivate the next generation of academic leaders who are equipped to conduct impactful research in health equity and social medicine. Fellows will have opportunities to participate in departmental seminars and career-development workshops at Harvard Medical School, enhancing their professional growth and networking within the academic community. The position is based in Boston, with significant travel required to research locations, allowing fellows to engage directly with the communities they study.

Responsibilities

• Pursue an original research project aimed at advancing health equity in the U.S. health care system.
• Collaborate with local research partners in low-income communities.
• Engage with faculty and participate in departmental activities and seminars.
• Contribute to the development and evaluation of interventions for improving health care delivery.
• Work under the guidance of assigned mentors to refine research proposals and methodologies.

Requirements

• Doctoral degree in a field related to social medicine or global health.
• Experience working in low-income communities.
• Knowledge of U.S. health care systems.
• Demonstrated capacity for independent research and collaboration.

Nice-to-haves

• Intellectual curiosity and a strong interest in health equity research.
• Experience in interdisciplinary research approaches.
• Familiarity with community health issues and interventions.

Benefits

• Fellowship stipend
• Research funding
• Professional development funding