POSTDOCTORAL ASSOCIATE

This Position is Grant Funded

School of Medicine 

Established in 1930, Duke University School of Medicine is the youngest of the nation's top medical schools. Ranked sixth among medical schools in the nation, the School takes pride in being an inclusive community of outstanding learners, investigators, clinicians, and staff where interdisciplinary collaboration is embraced and great ideas accelerate translation of fundamental scientific discoveries to improve human health locally and around the globe. Composed of more than 2,600 faculty physicians and researchers, nearly 2,000 students, and more than 6,200 staff, the Duke University School of Medicine along with the Duke University School of Nursing, and Duke University Health System comprise Duke Health, a world-class academic medical center. The Health System encompasses Duke University Hospital, Duke Regional Hospital, Duke Raleigh Hospital, Duke Health Integrated Practice, Duke Primary Care, Duke Home Care and Hospice, Duke Health and Wellness, and multiple affiliations.

Postdoctoral Associate – Climate, Biodiversity, and Health Surveillance in Latin America and the Caribbean

Be You.

The Amazon Research Consortium for Climate Change and One Health (ARC) at Duke University is seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Fellow to contribute to at least two cutting-edge, interdisciplinary projects at the intersection of climate science, biodiversity, disease surveillance, and public health in Latin America and the Caribbean, funded by NASA and the NIH. Founded on Duke’s commitment to interdisciplinary innovation, this position spans both the Duke Global Health Institute (DGHI) and the Nicholas School of the Environment (NSOE). These institutions embrace collaborative science with real-world impact—advancing global health through environmental, policy, and stakeholder engagement frameworks.  The fellow will work with a collaborative team of global change researchers, public health experts, and policy stakeholders across national and international organizations. The Postdoctoral Fellow will hold a PhD or equivalent degree (e.g., ScD, MD, DVM, DrPH).  Under the guidance of Dr. William Pan, the Postdoctoral Fellow will perform full-time, independent research, consistent with preparing for a future academic or scientific career. The role includes research responsibilities and may involve collaboration with regional stakeholders, with expected outputs including publications and policy-relevant communications.

The two primary projects that Postdoctoral Fellow will support are briefly described below.

• Biodiversity and Health Metrics Using Earth Observation in Latin America and the Caribbean (NASA grant award).  The objective of this research project is to support the development of integrated, science-based metrics linking biodiversity and health outcomes using Earth Observation (EO) data. The project informs climate and environmental relationships with human health in three regional biomes: the Amazon, island states/territories, and Central America. The primary responsibilities include: (i) Analyze long-term changes in climate, land cover, and population to identify distinct locations across multiple spatial scales undergoing varying rates of change; (ii) Evaluate associations between environmental shifts and key health outcomes (e.g., malaria, dengue, chronic kidney disease, diarrhea, malnutrition); (iii) Co-develop practical indicators and reporting tools with regional stakeholders; and (iv) Produce research outputs, policy briefs, and visualizations for regional and global application.

• Cross-Border Malaria Surveillance and Intervention in the Amazon (NIH grant award).  The objective of this project is to enhance malaria control programs in Peru, Ecuador, and Brazil by expanding and improving early warning and surveillance systems, and modeling the impacts of coordinated interventions. The primary responsibilities include: (i) Extend and evaluate a Malaria Early Warning System (MEWS) across international borders, improving spatial and temporal forecasting; (ii) Investigate how infrastructure, mobility, and socio-economic networks influence malaria transmission across border communities; and (iii) Collaborate with public health authorities and community partners to apply findings to policy and planning.

There will be additional opportunities for the Postdoctoral Fellow to become engaged in research related to migration and disease emergence in Central America, gold mining in the Amazon, lead exposure from the consumption of wild game, and other projects associated with the ARC, as per the Fellow’s interest.  Teaching opportunities are also available at NSOE and DGHI, including interdisciplinary programs such as Bass Connections. 

Be Bold.

• PhD (completed or near completion) in environmental or earth science, epidemiology, remote sensing, geography, global/public health, or a related field.
• Strong programming and analytical skills (e.g., Python, R, GIS, modeling frameworks).
• Experience working with EO data, disease surveillance data, or socio-environmental modeling.
• Demonstrated interest in interdisciplinary research and policy engagement.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Preferred Skills (any of the following):

• Familiarity with climate-health linkages and/or biodiversity indicators.
• Prior work in Latin America or the Caribbean.
• Spanish or Portuguese proficiency is desirable.

When you apply online, please submit the following materials:

• Cover letter
• Curriculum Vitae
• Names and contact information for three references
• Relevant publications or writing samples

Choose Duke.

Join our award-winning team and be part of an inclusive culture that values excellence, innovation, and discovery. Duke University is consistently ranked among the top universities worldwide and is renowned for its cutting-edge research across disciplines. Beyond the engaging work, you'll also benefit from Duke's competitive benefits package, including health insurance plans, generous paid time off, retirement programs with employer contributions, tuition assistance for employees and their children, and more.

Anticipated Pay Range:

Duke University provides an annual base salary range for this position that depends on level of experience. The minimum salary starts at USD $64,170.

Your total compensation goes beyond the dollars on your paycheck. Duke provides comprehensive and competitive medical and dental care programs, generous retirement benefits, and a wide array of family-friendly and cultural programs to eligible team members. Learn more at https://hr.duke.edu/benefits/

Duke is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy related conditions), sexual orientation or military status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends onthe robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Essential Physical Job Functions: Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.