Research Fellow in Public Health

Harvard University

Department: Epidemiology
School: Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
Location: On-campus, Boston, MA (relocation required if outside acceptable payroll states)
Salary: $70,000 – $77,000 (based on post-graduate experience)

Position Overview

The Department of Epidemiology at Harvard Chan School seeks 2–3 postdoctoral researchers to work on mathematical modelling and epidemiological analysis of HIV epidemics in eastern and southern Africa.

Postholders will be part of the HIV Inference Group, led by Dr. Jeff Imai-Eaton, within the Center for Communicable Disease Dynamics, and will manage collaborative projects with:

  • Ministries of Health

  • Academic partners

  • Program implementers

  • International health agencies (UNAIDS, WHO, PEPFAR, Global Fund)

Key Responsibilities

  • Lead and develop analytical and modelling components for international collaborative projects.

  • Work on projects including:

    • Developing new HIV program monitoring indicators in Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique.

    • Geospatial modelling for HIV/TB policy tools in South Africa (Linganisa II project).

    • Simulation of targeted/adaptive household surveys in Malawi (Kuzama pa Kalondo project).

  • Manage relationships with project collaborators and stakeholders.

  • Analyze and visualize disease surveillance and population health data.

  • Communicate findings through presentations, publications, and reporting.

Required Qualifications

  • Doctoral degree in infectious disease epidemiology, biostatistics, population biology, economics, or related quantitative discipline.

  • Strong quantitative skills with proficiency in programming languages (R, Python, C++, etc.).

  • Knowledge of infectious disease transmission dynamics.

  • Competence in applied Bayesian statistical modelling.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Knowledge of HIV epidemiology and programs in eastern/southern Africa.

  • Familiarity with survey and surveillance data collection/analysis for HIV.

  • Experience with Bayesian computing tools (Stan, TMB, INLA, PyMC).

  • Experience with reproducible research workflows (e.g., Git/GitHub).

  • Strong communication skills and track record of research outputs.

  • Ability to work independently and in interdisciplinary teams.

  • Willingness and ability to travel internationally.

Application Instructions

Required Documents:

  1. Curriculum Vitae

  2. Cover Letter

References: 2 required

Contact: Jeffrey Imai-Eaton, PhD – jeaton@hsph.harvard.edu

Application Notes: Full-time, on-campus; applicants must reside in or be willing to relocate to acceptable payroll states: MA, NH, RI, ME, CT, MD, VT, NY, CA, NJ, VA, WA, GA, IL.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination, actively seeking candidates from all backgrounds. Discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status, religion, or any legally protected status is prohibited.

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