Postdoctoral Fellow Position in Food is Medicine, Cardiometabolic Health, and Health Disparities

Description

This is a full-time, 12-month, in-person position in downtown Boston; renewable annually based on performance and funding. The Tufts Food is Medicine Institute (FIMI) seeks one or more outstanding postdoctoral fellows to work on original research projects, under the mentorship and guidance of Institute Director Dr. Dariush Mozaffarian.  Bringing together research, training, patient services, policy development, and community engagement, the Institute aims to serve as a catalyst to drive change, improve health, reduce health disparities, and create a more equitable and resilient healthcare system that recognizes the power of nourishing food.  Its efforts are centered in health equity to work collaboratively with and improve the lives of traditionally marginalized, vulnerable populations.  The Institute also hosts and builds networks with partnerships with stakeholders within and beyond healthcare to ensure that efforts advance well-being and policy broadly and reach the people who need them most.

 

The successful candidate will meaningfully contribute to advancing the Institute’s mission and efforts in several capacities.  This may include research and activities on:

 

• Design, implementation, and evaluation of medically tailored meals, medically tailored groceries, or produce prescriptions, examining reach, uptake, health outcomes, costs, and utilization
• Integration of Food is Medicine into health systems, including electronic health record screening, care pathways, and referral resources
• Development and testing of digital nutrition and culinary education for patients, shoppers, and/or healthcare professionals
• Leveraging food retail, online delivery systems, and consumer-facing technology and information to advance Food is Medicine, including using artificial intelligence and machine learning
• Food is Medicine policy analysis, evidence synthesis, and simulation modeling, including impacts on health, costs, and cost-effectiveness
• Strengthening nutrition security in federal nutrition programs like SNAP, WIC, or school meals
• Community, private sector, and policy development and engagement around Food is Medicine programs and supportive policies and practices.

 

The fellow will work within a close-knit, collegial multi-disciplinary team of other trainees, students, and staff within the Institute.  In addition to mentoring from Dr. Dariush Mozaffarian, the fellow will interact with and gain knowledge and experience from a range of other expert faculty, including for example Dr. Fang Fang Zhang, Dr. Ronit Ridberg, and Dr. John Wong, among others.  The fellow will also benefit from meetings, seminars, and coalitions of multi-sector leaders in Food is Medicine including healthcare, community-based, retail, policy, and advocacy organizations.  The training program will emphasize the design and publication of original analyses and manuscripts as first author, career development, and transition toward an independent research career.

 

Candidates must possess a relevant medical or doctoral degree in health sciences (e.g., medicine, nutrition, public health, health services, etc.), social sciences (e.g., economics, political science, sociology, etc.), or related professions (e.g., public policy, business, law, etc.).  Individuals who work well across disciplines, are collegial and collaborative, and have interest in the intersections of medicine, nutrition, health, and equity will particularly thrive in this role.  Candidates must have a track record of successful interdisciplinary research as evidenced by multiple original, peer-reviewed research publications in a relevant field.  The successful candidate will also have strong interest and experience in health equity, cultural relevance, and community integrated efforts.  We seek candidates whose work is relevant to diverse stakeholders in public and health sectors.  Experience in clinical trials, quasi-experimental evaluations, health care delivery, or nutrition policy would be an asset.

 

This is a full-time, 12-month position; renewable annually based on performance and funding.  The ability to work in the U.S. is required in order to apply for this position.  Start date is negotiable.  This position comes with a competitive salary, strong benefits, and travel/educational opportunities.

 

Qualifications

Required education, experience and skills

Applicants must have an MD or doctoral degree (PhD, DrPH, ScD); additional training in nutrition, health services, epidemi