The Department of Population and Public Health Sciences at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles announces a Postdoctoral Research Fellow position. The successful candidate will conduct investigations around community-driven epidemiology for environmental justice in Los Angeles.
We are seeking applicants with demonstrated experience in and/or commitment to working effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds and members of under-represented groups. Research opportunities on multiple community-driven environmental justice projects focused on industrial pollution, health disparities, community science, and community engagement abound in Southern California. A substantial portion of our research is grounded in working with economically stressed communities of color and conducted in partnership with community-based environmental justice organizations in Southern California.
Our current and potential lines of research address health concerns of communities—especially those that consist primarily of Latinx, Asian/Pacific Islander and African-Americans living under economic hardship and facing disproportionate adverse health outcomes from social and environmental disparities. Bidirectional work with communities, in particular those impacted by sources associated with the ports of L.A. and Long Beach (the largest port complex in the western hemisphere), is developing novel research translation tools bridging disciplines from epidemiology to social sciences, communications and the arts. A port source health impact assessment will be developed over the first year of the fellowship.
The position is supported by the Southern California Children’s Environmental Health Research Translation Center, funded by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. Thus, innovative approaches for research translation and communication to reduce health disparities, address environmental racism and promote health equity, with a focus on children, are a key goal of the use of results from studies. Other topics of Center interest include:
- transportation-related (sea, air, and land-based) air pollution and impacts on health;
- health impacts from “goods movement” facilities, including marine ports, railyards and inland warehouses; and
- broader health and emerging concerns arising from land-use decisions such as locating industries (e.g. metal smelter or oil drilling) near homes and schools across the multiethnic landscape.
The Department of Population and Public Health Sciences is home to leading research programs in
epidemiology and health behavior, with particular strengths in environmental health and community based participatory research. Additional information about resources is available at https://scehsc.usc.edu, https://pphs.usc.edu/, and https://sc-cehrt.org/.
The Fellow will collaborate with faculty from a variety of disciplines and community partners, will receive advanced training in research translation and community engagement, and mentoring in publishing in academic and popular press. Opportunities are also available for training in exposure assessment and environmental epidemiology, in grant preparation, presenting research in academic and community forums, and gaining teaching experience.
How to Apply: Email applications with the subject line, “EJ Postdoctoral Fellowship” to Professor Rob
McConnell at rmcconne@usc.edu. Please include a cover letter describing research experience and
interests; a CV; contact information for three references; and a writing sample (e.g. a recent manuscript or dissertation chapter).
Start date: Summer 2023. Applications will be considered until the position is filled. Applicants from diverse backgrounds are especially encouraged to apply.
Qualifications: PhD in environmental health, epidemiology, sociology, community-engaged research or related discipline; commitment to community engagement and research, racial disparities and environmental justice; excellent written and oral communication skill.
Salary: $60,000-$80,000, depending on experience.
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