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.

Required education, experience and skills

Applicants must have an MD or doctoral degree (PhD, DrPH, ScD); additional training in nutrition, health services, epidemiology, public health, economics, food policy, biostatistics, or related fields; and a record of original, first-author research publications in relevant areas.  Candidates must have excellent written and oral communication skills, strong quantitative/analytical research skills, experience using analytic programs for data management and analysis (e.g., STATA, SPSS, SAS, R), 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.  Individuals who work well across disciplines, are collegial and collaborative, and have interest in the intersections of medicine, nutrition, health, and equity are preferred.  Experience in clinical trials, quasi-experimental evaluations, health care delivery, or nutrition policy would be a plus.

A complete application will include; cover letter, CV, and names of three references (if available, reference letters welcomed). Applications should be submitted via Interfolio. Questions can be directed to Julia Sharib ([email protected]). Applications will be considered as they are received.

Tufts University, founded in 1852, prioritizes quality teaching, highly competitive basic and applied research, and a commitment to active citizenship locally, regionally, and globally. Tufts University has also committed to becoming an anti-racist institution and prides itself on the continuous improvement of diversity, equity and inclusion work. Current and prospective employees of the university are expected to have and continuously develop skill in, and disposition for, positively engaging with a diverse population of faculty, staff, and students.

Tufts University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. We are committed to increasing the diversity of our faculty and staff and fostering their success when hired. Members of underrepresented groups are welcome and strongly encouraged to apply. See the University?s Non-Discrimination statement and policy here https://oeo.tufts.edu/policies-procedures/non-discrimination/. If you are an applicant with a disability who is unable to use our online tools to search and apply for jobs, please contact us by calling the Office of Equal Opportunity (OEO) at 617-627-3298 or at [email protected]. Applicants can learn more about requesting reasonable accommodations at https://oeo.tufts.edu/

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