Description
The Behavioral Economics and Global Health Insights (BEGIN) Lab at the University of Pennsylvania is seeking a Postdoctoral Fellow who can support ongoing research projects and conduct original research on a wide range of topics in global health. Co-directed by Professors Alison Buttenheim and Harsha Thirumurthy, the BEGIN Lab seeks innovative solutions to persistent challenges that limit healthy lifespans globally.
In pursuit of these solutions, the BEGIN Lab’s projects include the design and evaluation of behavioral, structural, and policy interventions that have the potential to advance health for all. Supported by grants from the US National Institutes of Health and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the BEGIN Lab’s projects are taking place in Kenya, India, South Africa, Uganda and are focusing on both communicable and non-communicable diseases.
The overarching goal of the position is to help the postdoctoral fellow launch a successful academic career through mentored research and professional development, participation in seminars and workshops, training in research communications and policy engagement, and opportunities to pursue internal and external funding.
The Postdoctoral Fellow will have opportunities to contribute to the design and implementation of randomized trials of behavioral interventions, conduct primary and secondary data analyses, contribute to or lead manuscripts, and develop grant proposals on topics of shared interest.
The fellow will work closely with faculty affiliated with the BEGIN Lab as well as colleagues at the Center for Health Incentives and Behavioral Economics at the University of Pennsylvania and collaborators in partner institutions in countries where the BEGIN Lab’s projects are based. The fellow is expected to spend about 25% time on independent research and about 75% time on BEGIN Lab projects. The fellow will receive a competitive stipend, annual allowances for travel and research, and workspace on Penn’s campus. The University also provides a medical, vision, dental, and life insurance benefits package. This is a 2-year position with a desired start date of July 1, 2025.
Essential Duties
• Conduct research that includes but is not limited to analysis of data from recently completed or ongoing randomized trials of behavioral interventions
• Contribute to and lead manuscripts based on empirical research
• Contribute to intervention design, study design, and protocol development
• Communicate research to diverse stakeholders through conference presentations, policy briefs, and other innovative translation and dissemination products.
• Support the development of new projects and proposals.
Qualifications • Ph.D. in economics, psychology, decision sciences, public policy, public health, or related fields, completed before start date
• Strong capabilities in quantitative data analysis with fluency in Stata or R
• Research experience on topics related to health outcomes and health behaviors in low-income countries
• Experience analyzing survey data (required) and working on randomized trials (preferred)
• Excellent writing skills and ability to contribute to manuscripts and grant proposals
More information
Behavioral Economics and Global Health Insights (BEGIN) Lab
Center for Health Incentives and Behavioral Economics
Contact
Candidates should send the following materials to Teniola Egbe (tegbe@pennmedicine.upenn.edu):
• 1-2 page cover letter that describes career trajectory, research interests, and training goals
• Curriculum vitae
• Writing sample (published or unpublished; must be solo or first-authored)
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled. However, full consideration will be given to applications received by January 31, 2025.
References will be requested for candidates who move on to interviews.
Email: tegbe@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
