Postdoctoral Fellowship with Rural Health Equity Hub

Duke University School of Nursing

Established in 1931, Duke University School of Nursing is a national leader in preparing nurse clinicians, scholars, and innovators who are transforming healthcare through excellence in education, research, and clinical practice. With more than 1,500 students, we offer a comprehensive range of programs, including the Master of Nursing (MN), Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), and PhD in Nursing. Our programs are designed to meet the evolving demands of today’s healthcare landscape, equipping graduates with rigorous training, evidence-based practice, and interdisciplinary collaboration to lead the future of nursing.

Our nursing program stands as a leader in healthcare education, earning #1 in the nation for Best Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Programs, #2 for Doctor of Nursing Practice, and #5 for Master’s programs, according to U.S. News & World Report. For over a decade, we’ve also been celebrated as a Best School for Men in Nursing by the American Association for Men in Nursing (AAMN)—11 years and counting! These accolades reflect our unwavering commitment to excellence, innovation, and inclusivity in preparing the next generation of nursing professionals.

Be You.

The Duke University School of Nursing (DUSON) is seeking qualified applicants for a Postdoctoral Fellowship with Rural Health Equity Hub. This position is a full time one-year renewable appointment for a Postdoctoral Fellow with the Rural Health Equity Hub —an initiative spanning Nursing, Engineering, Divinity, and the Social Science Research Institute. The Hub is a new center being developed that focuses on chronic disease prevention and management in rural North Carolina through interdisciplinary research, community-engaged co-design, and development of pragmatic health innovations. The Rural Health Equity Hub is seeking a postdoctoral fellow committed to advancing data-driven, community-engaged solutions that reduce rural health inequities

Fellows will have the opportunity to contribute to the development of this center from the ground up, working within a highly collaborative scientific ecosystem to develop and evaluate interventions that integrate community priorities, digital health tools, social determinants of health, and multisector partnerships

Term of Appointment: 1 Year Renewable, July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2028

Be Bold.

Essential Duties

Research Execution

• Conduct mentored research under the guidance of the Rural Health Equity team to Deepen Rural Community Partnerships with North Carolina health departments, faith-based communities and community-based organizations
• Translate findings into actionable guidance for clinical practice, community partners, and policy stakeholders
• Participate in and potentially lead design thinking workshops, pilot projects, and Hub-supported research activities
• Adhere to Duke University and Duke Health standards.
• 70% on Center efforts including but not limited to Center-affiliated research, teaching and mentoring, organizing and project management, with potential to tailor focus to a postdoc’s background or interests
• 30% on own research efforts (this could be a continuation of prior work related to rural health equity or a new research project the postdoc will develop at Duke)
• Perform other related duties incidental to the work described herein.

Professional Development

• Receive training across community-engaged research, research-practice partnership methods, interdisciplinary team science, rural health measurement, and health innovation.
• Develop skills for independent research and securing research funding. 
• Develop organizational and program planning skills through assisting in the execution of programming projects. 

Requirements:

• Should have a PhD, or equivalent doctorate (e.g., ScD, MD, DVM), preferably in Nursing, Biomedical Engineering, Public Health, Sociology, Data Science, Theology with health applications, or another relevant discipline or interdisciplinary background. Candidates with non-US degrees may be required to provide proof of degree equivalency. A candidate may also be appointed to a postdoctoral position if the candidate has completed all the requirements for a degree but the degree has not been formally conferred: in this case, the candidate may present evidence of completion of the degree requirements, together with a statement documenting the date on which the degree is to be conferred. If the degree is not conferred by this projected date, the postdoctoral appointment may be terminated. Note for international candidates: Generally, immigration classifications (e.g., H-1B, J-1, etc.) require that the requisite degree be conferred before a petition can be filed or a visa document issued to sponsor the individual.
• Demonstrated experience in community-engaged research, quantitative or qualitative research methods, digital health or health innovation, multimodal data integration (e.g., social determinants of health, electronic health records, digital health tools, etc.), or rural health practice.
• (Desirable) Demonstrated experience working with large datasets, statistical or computational modeling, participatory design, mixed methods, or intervention development/implementation in rural settings
• Commitment to equity-driven, patient-centered research.
• Strong commitment to core values of the Duke University.

Skills:

• Ideal applicants are enthusiastic, collaborative, adaptable, and prepared to work directly with rural community partners and researchers from varied disciplines/academic background
• Excellent planning, management, and coordination skills, with the ability to organize a demanding workload comprised of diverse and challenging tasks and responsibilities
• Strong attention to detail, problem-solving skills, and ability to analyze trends
• Excellent written, oral and conversational communication skills to effectively work with diverse groups
• Ability to learn new technologies, processes, and policies quickly
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a dynamic, interdisciplinary work environment
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint, communications tools (e.g. video software, adobe creative suite, etc.), and survey/scheduling tools (Qualtrics, REDCap, EventBrite).
• Communications experience with website, newsletter and presentation development

Interested Applicants will be expected to submit:

• Cover Letter (addressing research interests and fit for position)
• CV
• One (1) writing sample or representative work/publication
• Contact information for three (3) references  

Supervisors:

Dr. Devon Noonan PhD, FNP-BC, Nursing

Dr. Jessica Sperling, PhD, Social Science Research Institute, SOM

Dr. Jessilyn Dunn PhD, Engineering

Dr. Wylin Wilson, PhD, Divinity

Choose Duke.

Join a world-class research environment at Duke University, where innovation and collaboration drive excellence. Our Schools of Nursing and Medicine are nationally recognized for advancing health equity and improving outcomes for vulnerable populations.

Job Code: 00003820 POSTDOCTORAL ASSOCIATE

Job Level: 00

Equal Opportunity Employer: 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, (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 on the 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 reasonable accommodation(s) can be requested with Duke Access and Accommodations Services (email: DAAS@duke.edu; phone: 919-668-1267).