Vanderbilt University

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Postdoctoral Positions at Vanderbilt University with the Vanderbilt LGBTQ+ Policy Lab and the Center for Research on Inequality and Health

The Vanderbilt LGBTQ+ Policy Lab and the Vanderbilt Center for Research on Inequality and Health are seeking applications for one or more postdoctoral scholars in the areas of LGBTQ population health and health disparities to begin in Summer 2027. The ideal candidate is an empirical social scientist who has experience with statistical programming and analysis in STATA, SAS, or R. Candidates with excellent qualitative research skills will also be considered for specific projects. A PhD in sociology or demography, health services research, economics, public health, health policy, epidemiology, psychology, human development and family sciences, or a related field is required.  
 
Faculty with available openings in their labs include Dr. Gilbert Gonzales (health policy), Dr. Kirsty Clark (public health), Dr. Tara McKay (sociology), Dr. Lawrence Stacey (sociology) and Dr. Kitt Carpenter (economics).

Responsibilities include: 
1.       Carrying out a full-time active research program on topics of interest and relevance to LGBTQ+ people and policies.
2.       Attending a weekly in-person professional development/seminar series on LGBTQ+ health inequities, policies, and populations at the Vanderbilt LGBTQ+ Policy Lab.
3.       Attending weekly in-person professional development events and seminars of the Center for Research on Inequality and Health.
4.       Guest lecturing in courses related to health economics and LGBTQ+ inequities, policies, and populations, as appropriate.
5.       Mentoring, with supervision from an LGBTQ+ Policy Lab faculty member, undergraduate and graduate student research, as appropriate. 

Depending on interest and professional development goals, the postdoctoral scholar will also have opportunities to guest lecture in courses related to LGBTQ+ health and network with campus and community leaders on LGBTQ+ health equity and policy.  

All postdoctoral scholars will be supervised by a Director of the Vanderbilt LGBTQ+ Policy Lab and will establish a mentoring committee that includes one or more core or affiliated faculty mentors depending on discipline. A list of core faculty is available on the LGBTQ+ Policy Lab website. 

Qualifications
The one-year postdoctoral fellowships will begin 7/1/2027 (or possibly earlier if mutually agreeable), with an initial end date of 6/30/2028, and a one-year renewal for the 2028-2029 academic year pending successful evaluation of year 1 performance. Our preference is for candidates to be able to spend two academic years at Vanderbilt. This is an in-person role based in Nashville, TN. The postdoc will be expected to work at least 3 days per week in-office. Each position carries a twelve-month salary of $75,000, office space, health insurance, and eligibility for other benefits (see https://www.vanderbilt.edu/postdoc/faqs/). These full-time and in-residence positions require a physical presence in Nashville for the term of the fellowship. 

Application instructions
Applicants should provide a cover letter describing interest in the position and future research plans, CV, a research paper or writing sample, and three references at: https://apply.interfolio.com/195199. Applications will be reviewed immediately and until the positions are filled. 

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) statement
Vanderbilt University shall abide by the requirements of 41 CFR §§ 60-1.4(a), 60-300.5(a) and 60-741.5(a). These regulations prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities and prohibit discrimination against all individuals based on their race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. Moreover, these regulations require that covered prime contractors and subcontractors provide equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability.