Postdoctoral Fellow: Endocrinology, Reproductive Toxicology, or Informatics for a Transdisciplinary Environmental and Social Science Team
We are seeking a candidate with doctoral training in endocrinology, developmental biology, or cancer biology with a focus on environmental health. Applicants should demonstrate a strong research record as well as experience in statistics, biology, toxicology, chemistry, computer science, or informatics. R programming is an asset. The ability to communicate and work independently within a multidisciplinary and multinational team of scientists is required.
This research fellowship is part of a unique opportunity to engage in environmental health-social science training. In addition to a strong background in their discipline, the candidate should have an interest in public health, community-based participatory research and the social context of environmental health. This two-year appointment is part of the NIEHS Training Program, “Transdisciplinary Training at the Intersection of Environmental Health Science and Social Science” (EH+SS), co-directed by Silent Spring Institute and Northeastern University’s Social Science Environmental Health Research Institute (SSEHRI). This training program will prepare scientists for successful research careers at the nexus of environmental health, social science and policy. Fellows will be expected to publish and develop proposals within their scientific area of expertise and will also have opportunities to contribute to interdisciplinary publications.
The postdoctoral fellow will spend 2/3 of her/his time at Silent Spring Institute and 1/3 at Northeastern University. The fellow will collaborate with Silent Spring Institute and Northeastern scientists on one or more ongoing research projects and will have access to cutting edge resources and technologies at Northeastern University and other collaborating institutions. Examples of projects include:
- Develop Adverse Outcome Pathway models for breast cancer. This research is part of an international effort using bioinformatics, computational biology, toxicology, and systematic review approaches to identify biological pathways in cancer etiology.
- Apply novel approaches in biomonitoring and exposure assessment, including metabolomics and other omics techniques to identify early effect markers associated with chemical exposures.
- Combine experimental and computational approaches to develop novel chemical safety screening methods that capture biological mechanisms related to endocrine disruption and carcinogenesis.
- Environmental Justice. In collaboration with environmental and health advocacy groups, fellows can work on projects that translate the best science into environmental public health strategies at the local, regional and national level.
Silent Spring Institute
Situated just outside Boston with a staff of about 20, we recently celebrated our 20th anniversary in 2014 as the nation’s leading scientific research organization focused breast cancer prevention through environmental research and outreach programs. Our research focuses on women’s health and environmental pollutants, especially hormone disruptors and animal mammary gland carcinogens. We develop and apply new technologies to identify safer chemicals and measure exposures. This is an opportunity to be part of a nationally recognized, innovative, mission-driven team. Our publications list is here. Our website is here: silentspring.org.
Northeastern University
The Social Science Environmental Health Research Institute, at Northeastern since 2012, continues the legacy of the Contested Illnesses Research Group at Brown University, which began in 2000, in training graduate students and postdocs in community-based participatory research aimed at transforming and improving environmental health. By linking environmental health science, sociology, science and technology studies, and work with CBOs, SSEHRI develops novel approaches to studying environmental health questions. It currently has 5 faculty members, 2 postdocs, 11 doctoral students, 2 MA students, and 1 MPH student. Both the Silent Spring Institute and Social Science Environmental Health Research Institute have extensive collaborations with many breast cancer, environmental health, and environmental justice organizations.
This position is appointed through Northeastern University and offers a competitive salary and benefits package.
To apply, please do ALL of the following:
- Send an application packet containing a cover letter, a curriculum vitae, writing samples (published or unpublished), and graduate and undergraduate transcripts to Professor Phil Brown by email at brown@northeastern.edu AND to careers@silentspring.org (put “T32 postdoc” in subject line).
- Send three letters of reference, including one from the dissertation advisor, to Professor Phil Brown by email at brown@northeastern.edu.
We are currently seeking applicants for one position to start as soon as possible but before May 2017. Review of applications will begin immediately, and the search will remain open until the position is closed or filled. Questions? Write to Phil Brown at p.brown@northeastern.edu