June 02, 2020
Dr. Larissa Jennings Mayo-Wilson is seeking applicants for a Post-Doctoral Fellowship position in sexual and reproductive health with her research group, EMERGE (Engaging MicroenterprisE for Research Generation and Health Empowerment) at the Indiana University School of Public Health, Bloomington, IN in the Department of Applied Health Science.
The Post-Doctoral Fellow will support the development and evaluation of a number of studies relating to economic-strengthening interventions (ESI) to reduce poverty and sexual and reproductive health disparities, including HIV, in young adults in the U.S. and sub-Saharan Africa. The overall goal of the EMERGE research group is: (1) to develop and test health-focused ESIs, such as microfinance, cash transfers, incentives, vouchers, workforce development, and financial literacy training, to reduce economic drivers of disparities in HIV and other SRH outcomes; (2) to examine how behavioral economics, such as present bias or endowment effect, and traditional poverty-related factors, including income insecurity and economic abuse, influence SRH decision-making relating to number and type of sexual partners, fertility preferences, and/or use of perinatal and sexually transmitted infections (STI/HIV) clinical services; and (3) to examine how mobile health technologies, such as text messages or mobile apps, can be used to increase SRH/HIV awareness and to measure economic and SRH/HIV outcomes. Areas of focus include maternal and perinatal health, HIV/STI, economic empowerment, mHealth, and behavioral economics, including skills in qualitative, epidemiological, or randomized clinical trial methodologies.
- Role and Responsibilities: The Post-Doctoral Fellow will perform research-related duties, as needed, on numerous projects within Dr. Jennings Mayo-Wilson’s current EMERGE research portfolio, including conducting human subjects research, writing peer-reviewed publications, writing grant proposals, supporting community partnerships, and presenting at scientific colloquia. Potential projects include data analyses, grant writing, or site support of studies working with young adults who are at-risk for HIV and experiencing homelessness in Baltimore, MD, vulnerable transgender women in Richmond, VA, people living with HIV and commercial sex workers in Uganda, and individuals who have been victimized by economic abuse and sexual violence in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. The Post-Doctoral Fellow will also work with Dr. Jennings Mayo-Wilson to define a scope of work involving their own research within the overall goal of the funded EMERGE project, including working with students affiliated with Dr. Jennings Mayo-Wilson’s research portfolio.
- Terms: The term of appointment is one year, equivalent to 12 months. The Post-Doctoral Fellow may start as early as September 1, 2020. Post-Doctoral Fellows will be faculty employees of Indiana University. During the period of the fellowship, the fellow is expected to live in the Bloomington or Indianapolis metropolitan areas
- Qualifications: Applicants are invited from any relevant public health discipline including social and behavioral sciences, epidemiology, applied health, biostatistics, health economics, informatics, or psychology. Candidates must have received a doctoral degree (PhD, DrPH, ScD or equivalent) from an accredited educational institution by the start of appointment. The successful applicant will have research and program experience in sexual and reproductive health, perinatal health, HIV/AIDS, economic-strengthening interventions, vulnerable youth, mobile and digital health, or behavioral economics. Priority will be given to applicants who have documented experience leading and co-authoring peer-reviewed manuscripts and who are able to work independently, applying critical thinking and judgment.
Application Procedure: Interested candidates should submit applications at: https://indiana.peopleadmin.com (IU-Bloomington, Job #22005-01) or go directly to: https://indiana.peopleadmin.com/postings/9653. Applications must include a CV, cover letter summarizing research interests and fit for position, and a list of three references. Questions regarding the Post-Doctoral Fellowship may be directed to Dr. Larissa Jennings Mayo-Wilson, ljmayowi@iu.edu. Applications received by August 1, 2020 will receive full consideration