New Harvard Post-Doc Fellowship Available

EPIGENETICS, GENE-ENVIRONMENT, AND HEALTH DISPARITIES RESEARCH

Harvard/MGH Center on Genomics, Vulnerable Populations, and Health Disparities (Mongan Institute for Health Policy, Massachusetts General Hospital) 

The Harvard/MGH Center on Genomics, Vulnerable Populations, and Health Disparities (http://cgvh.harvard.edu/; Alexandra E. Shields, PhD, Director & Associate Professor, Harvard Medical School) invites applications for a post-doctoral fellowship position from individuals holding a doctorate in genomics, public health, epidemiology, oncology, or related fields to work with a transdisciplinary research team investigating the role of positive mediators (e.g., social supports or religious coping) in the etiology of disease. All research will be conducted within a transdisciplinary research team of senior faculty from Harvard and collaborating institutions. Research will focus on building capacity within U.S. cohort studies to assess exposures particularly important for understanding racial and socioeconomic disparities in health; conducting analyses of methylation data of genes in the stress pathway in relation to various psychosocial exposures/mitigating influences; and participating in a national effort to analyze and prioritize measures of spirituality/religious coping useful for understanding disease risk.

Post-doctoral fellows will have the opportunity to gain experience participating in all aspects of this transdisciplinary initiative, including helping to conduct and summarize epigenetic and health services research analyses; participating in team meetings; and taking advantage of diverse training opportunities available through MGH, Harvard University, and The Broad Institute. Within a supportive environment, the fellow will pursue original research that results in peer-reviewed publications and will receive mentoring and support to build on this experience and develop a future research agenda to pursue through an NIH K-Award or other funding mechanism.

Fellows are afforded extensive access to the rich intellectual and physical resources of Harvard University, The Broad Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Partners HealthCare. Massachusetts General Hospital is an equal opportunity employer. Interested candidates should send letter of interest, CV, and letter of recommendation to Anna Schachter, MPH (abschachter@partners.org). Applications will be accepted immediately and will continue to be considered until the position is filled.

Anticipated start date: May/June 2015 (flexible)
Term: 1 year (renewable to 2 years)
Stipend: $50,000 plus generous benefits and travel stipend