The Mozaffarian Lab seeks an outstanding postdoctoral fellow to work on original research projects supported by a supplement to our National Institute of Health (NIH/NHLBI) R01 Award that seeks to inform federal and state nutrition health policy through research on the effectiveness and costs of Food is Medicine Strategies to Improve Diet and Reduce Cardiometabolic Diseases (CMD), including obesity, heart attack, stroke, and diabetes, as part of the multi-year, multi-grant Food-PRICE project. The aims of the overall project are to:
- estimate health outcome impact, effects on disparities, and costs of specific Food is Medicine strategies to improve diet and reduce CMD;
- estimate health outcome impact, effects on disparities, and costs of specific state-level policies to improve diet and reduce CMD;
- assess administrative and legal feasibility of Food is Medicine and state strategies to improve diet and reduce CMD; and
- disseminate top findings from the prior period, related grants, and new work to relevant stakeholders in key legislative, agency, and advocacy positions.
Candidates from diverse backgrounds who represent the diversity of the research workforce are encouraged to apply. This grant aims to recruit and support researchers shown to be nationally underrepresented in health-related research, including, for example, candidates from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups; from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds; or having disabilities. For more information on eligibility, please see https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-20-166.html (accessed January 6, 2022). Candidates should be excited about thriving in the Friedman School’s environment which prides itself on productive, positive interpersonal relationships; an equal dedication to pathbreaking research and public health impact through nutrition; and a commitment to and strategy for promoting diversity, equity and inclusion.
Mentoring and training will be under the direction of Principal Investigator (PI) Dr. Dariush Mozaffarian, cardiologist and Dean of the Friedman School of Nutrition Science & Policy at Tufts University; in collaboration with Dr. Sean Cash, Bergstrom Foundation Professor in Global Nutrition; Jennifer Pomeranz, Assistant Professor of Public Health Policy and Management at NYU; Dr. David Kim, Assistant Professor of Medicine, and Dr. John Wong, Interim Chief Scientific Officer and Professor, at Tufts Medical School and Tufts Medical Center. The postdoctoral researcher will also work with a multi-disciplinary team in the lab and have the opportunity to interface with external national and international policy experts, including our Policy Advisory Group; business leaders, including in the Tufts Food & Nutrition Innovation Council; and other stakeholders. A major emphasis will be placed on leading original analyses and manuscripts, career development, and transition toward an independent research career. A competitive salary, benefits, and travel/educational opportunities in the interdisciplinary environment at the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy are offered.
The postdoctoral fellow will work in a team-based approach with the PI, other project faculty, and the rest of the research lab to achieve the project aims. Fellows will focus on leading health policy analyses, abstract preparation, and manuscript drafting, with an emphasis on timely, cutting-edge scientific analyses and manuscripts on health, equity, and economic effects of national and state-level food and nutrition policies in relation to cardiometabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and obesity. This may include, for example, Food as Medicine interventions in health care, school and workplace interventions, and government policies around taxation and labeling. The postdoctoral fellow will lead the design and development of policy options, estimation of intervention effects, health outcomes, and costs, effects on health disparities, and cost-effectiveness using microsimulation models. The postdoctoral researcher will also interact with key external experts with knowledge and expertise on the design and implementation of food policies and participate in planning of stakeholder meetings. The overall work and findings of the postdoctoral researcher will be critical to inform the planning, implementation, and evaluation of evidence-based dietary strategies to achieve cardiovascular health and reduce health inequities in the U.S. We anticipate the postdoctoral researcher leading at least 2 original manuscripts per year as first author and contributing to additional manuscripts as a co-author.
This position is anticipated to be for two years with renewal after the first 12 months; further extension of the appointment is possible contingent on funding availability. The ability to work in the U.S. is required in order to apply for this position. Preferred starting date is late 2022. Candidates from all over the world are encouraged to apply who are willing to conduct their research work in the US, at the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Tufts University, Boston, MA.
Qualifications
Required education, experience and skills
Applicants must have a doctoral degree (PhD/DrPH/ScD) or MD plus additional training nutritional epidemiology, public health nutrition, food policy, biostatistics, or related fields; as well as a record of original, first-author research publications in one or more of these areas. Candidates should have excellent written and oral communication skills, strong quantitative/analytical research skills, experience using analytic programs (e.g., STATA, SPSS, SAS, R) for data management and analysis, and the ability to work well independently and as part of a team with collaborators.
Preferred education, experience, and skills
Formal coursework and research experience are preferred in areas relevant to the research aims. An interest/experience in dissemination and translational research is desirable.
Prior decision science, health simulation modeling, and cost-effectiveness experience desired but not required (as this is a skill that can be learned/gained while in the position).