Postdoctoral Research Associate, Global Health Program and Mpala Research Center

The interdisciplinary Global Health Program, administered by the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs, invites outstanding researchers to apply for appointment as a Postdoctoral Research Associate or more senior. The Postdoctoral Research Associate will collaborate on the academic activities of the Global Health Program, in addition to conducting their own original research. Responsibilities will include providing guidance, advising and leading methodological workshops on students’ independent research projects. The Postdoctoral Research Associate may be invited to teach in one of Princeton's undergraduate programs. Any teaching is contingent on sufficient enrollments and must be approved by the Office of the Dean of the Faculty.

This position anticipates a unique division of time between Princeton University and the Mpala Research Center in central Kenya. Mpala Research Center (mpala.org) is a 48,000+ acre hub for research by visiting scientists and students. Mpala provides a ‘living laboratory’ without the restrictions of a national park, allowing scientists to manipulate the environment and conduct landscape-level, controlled experiments to explore basic science, address real-world problems, and ensure that sustainable livelihoods and economic advancement are synonymous with wildlife conservation. Mpala’s institutional mission is to support research that improves ecosystem functions, conserves biodiversity, and enhances the livelihood of employees and their families who are predominantly traditional pastoralists. In conjunction with this mission, Mpala works to advance the understanding and conservation of natural human-occupied ecosystems through basic research, education, outreach, and by creating new scientific knowledge and developing science-based solutions to guide conservation actions for the benefit of nature and human welfare.

The incumbent would be based mostly at Mpala from June to mid-January, primarily conducting original research and also supervising the short-term research of 4-5 Princeton student interns over the summer and a small number of student visitors during the two-week January Wintersession period. The incumbent would be based at Princeton University from late January to May, conducting original research, advising and supporting undergraduate students in the Global Health Program, and potentially serving as a preceptor (with a secondary rank of Lecturer) for the undergraduate epidemiology course, pending sufficient enrollments. The term of the appointment is one year initially, starting on or about September 1, 2022, with the possibility of renewal up to three years, contingent upon satisfactory performance and continued funding.

We seek candidates committed to interdisciplinary research in global health and who are working in one or more of the following fields: epidemiology, disease ecology, environmental health, global health, biostatistics, vaccination, demography, veterinary medicine, nutritional sciences, microbiology, parasitology, immunology. We seek candidates who innovate methodologically, who have a track record in field research and/or field teaching/mentoring, and who demonstrate strong commitment to undergraduate teaching.

A PhD is required. Applicants must have no more than two years of postdoctoral work experience prior to the start of the appointment.

Applicants must apply online at https://www.princeton.edu/acad-positions/position/23222 and submit a cover letter (indicating relevant qualifications and plans for research and writing), a curriculum vitae, one writing sample and contact information for two references. 

The deadline for submission is January 31, 2022 at 11:59 p.m. EST. Applicants will be notified of the outcome of their applications in March 2022.

For more information about the Global Health Program, please visit its website at https://globalhealth.princeton.edu.

This position is subject to the University's background check policy.

We at the School of Public and International Affairs believe that it is vital to cultivate an environment that embraces and promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion - fundamental to the success of our education and research mission. This commitment to diversity informs our efforts in recruitment and hiring as we actively seek colleagues of exceptional ability who represent a broad range of viewpoints, experiences, and value systems, and who share Princeton University's dedication to excellence.

Princeton University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.