We are seeking applications for a postdoctoral research fellow who is interested in developing an independent research career focusing on reducing cardiometabolic health disparities through a health equity lens. The fellowship experience is nested within Northern and Central Brooklyn in New York City, communities that have been affected by structural racism and therefore experience disproportionately higher rates of cardiometabolic disparities including hypertension, renal disease, diabetes, obesity, and stroke.
TRANSPORT: TRANSPORT is a National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD)-funded $10 million S21 Health Disparities Endowment grant that provides a foundation for developing a diverse biomedical research workforce. The TRANSPORT- Postdoctoral Fellowship seeks to support post-doctoral fellows from backgrounds that are underrepresented in biomedical research. A major focus area of TRANSPORT is reducing cardiometabolic disparities. The fellow will contribute to the mission of TRANSPORT while advancing their own research career.
The fellowship is designed for investigators who are interested in building skills that will enable them to compete for funding and that advances the understanding of the fundamental causes of health disparities and inform community interventions. The fellow will enhance skills in research methodology through hands-on and mentored-research activities. Examples of learning activities include:
Develop strategic community and local government partnerships, conducting asset-based needs assessments, using this information to inform future studies, and identifying optimal methods of communicating research findings back to community partners and policymakers
Conduct literature reviews on emerging studies that examine intersections between structural racism, epigenetics, the environment, biological factors and cardiometabolic health
Analyze secondary data in order to generate hypothesis about the links between individual, community, neighborhood, and institutional determinants and cardiometabolic health
Contribute to grant applications and manuscripts that advance the work of TRANSPORT
Contribute to mentoring interested undergraduate and pre-doctoral students in related areas and supporting Downstate’s research education mission in health equity and social justice
The TRANSPORT postdoctoral fellow will receive salary support for up to a two-year period. In addition, this fellow may be eligible to receive up to $20,000 for their research-related expenses (e.g., travel, publications, and supplies). Continued support is contingent upon successful achievement of milestones, and a progress report submitted after year one. At the conclusion of the two-year fellowship, it is expected that the fellow will have published peer- reviewed papers, generated pilot data, and established networks that will facilitate transition to career development awards and future independent funding.
Eligibility criteria for applicants:
According to NIH guidelines, applicants for this fellowship are individuals from groups identified as nationally underrepresented in the biomedical, clinical, behavioral and social sciences. These groups include: individuals from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, individuals with disabilities, individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds and women. NOT-OD-20-031: Updated Notice of NIH's Interest in Diversity
Applicants must hold a doctoral degree in the biomedical, nursing, allied health professions, behavioral or public health sciences (MD, PhD, PhD/MD, DNP, ScD, DrPH or equivalent). Recipients of independent research awards such as an R01 or program project are ineligible for this program. However, “K”-type awardees are eligible.
Research interest focused on health equity, structural racism, community health, cardiometabolic health or related areas (hypertension, renal disease, diabetes, obesity, or stroke, nutrition, heart failure.)
Have an interest in advancing knowledge of the historical and current discriminatory policies and structural barriers that contribute to health inequities and disparities.
Ability to work within transdisciplinary teams and conduct research in a fast-paced and community-engaged academic center
Demonstrates excellent writing and communication skills.
Demonstrates basic skills in research methods, secondary data analysis, qualitative analysis, focus group and survey design. (It is NOT expected that the applicant be an expert in biostatistics however, basic fund of knowledge in qualitative and quantitative analysis and the ability to use statistical software packages is required)
Application process: Email the following documents as one continuous PDF to Lakia.Maxwell@downstate.edu and copy Carla.boutin-foster@downstate.edu Please use the following subject heading: Diversity-TRANSPORT Postdoctoral
Fellowship in Advancing Cardiometabolic Health and Health Equity Promotion Research.
The candidate’s CV/resume.
A cover letter describing the candidate’s career goals, interest in health equity promotion and evidence of prior research productivity such as abstracts, publications, grants, or scientific presentations.
Names of reference who can attest to the candidate’s commitment to academic research and the capacity for independent research
Applications are due by 5pm March 7th, 2022
Anticipated Fellowship start date July 2022.
If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Carla Boutin-Foster at Lakia.Maxwell@downstate.edu.
TRANSPORT Diversity Postdoctoral Fellowship in Cardiometabolic Disparities and Health Equity Promotion Research at SUNY Downstate