The application deadline is February 22, 2022, with a program start date of July 2022.

Job Description

The Robert J. Margolis, MD, Center for Health Policy at Duke University (Duke-Margolis) is seeking 1-3 highly motivated Postdoctoral Associates to join the Duke-Margolis Postdoctoral Associate Program in Health Policy. This prestigious opportunity is ideal for a graduate (PhD, MD, PharmD, other relevant equivalent) demonstrating a strong interest in, and commitment to, a career in health policy.

The Duke-Margolis Center was established in January 2016 through the vision of the Margolis Family Foundation and Duke University’s academic leadership. The Center’s mission is to improve health, health equity, and the value of health care by developing and implementing evidence-based policy solutions locally, nationally, and globally. Connecting the intellectual resources at Duke University with policymakers and policy analysts in the public and private sector, the Center spans academic disciplines to bring promising ideas in health care reform into policy implementation. Duke-Margolis partners with funders and experts in health care policy and practice from around the world and is advised by an accomplished board of health care leaders representing academia, patients, policy research, payers, and providers. The Center has offices and staff on Duke University’s campus in Durham, North Carolina, and at the Duke in DC offices in the heart of the nation’s capital in Washington, DC.

The specific research portfolio for this position will be determined based upon the interests of the Postdoctoral Associate and the needs of Duke-Margolis. Topics will be drawn from the following areas of interest:

• Health care Transformation: Duke-Margolis has a broad policy research portfolio at the local, state, national and global level centered on evidence-based strategies for improving the quality and value of health care. Focus areas include empirical analysis of health care policy, partnerships with states to identify best practices for public payers, improving population health, new care and payment models for advanced and complex illness, national and global thought leadership, and clinical pathway reform.
• Biomedical Innovation: Duke-Margolis' biomedical innovation policy research spans real-world evidence development, regulatory science, and medical products payment, pricing, and coverage. Focus areas include assessing the value of health technologies, value-based payment design for drugs and devices, improving the science of development and review, and including best practices for using real-world data in regulatory and payment decisions.
• Health Equity and Anti-racism: Duke-Margolis has committed to critically examining and expanding Duke-Margolis’ research practices and health policy program in health equity to understand inequities in access, outcomes, and policies that institutionalize inequities, and to develop evidence-based solutions to reduce inequities among historically marginalized populations. Focus areas include researching systemic inequities experienced by all marginalized populations and by developing action-oriented solutions that reach communities most affected by structural inequities.
• Digital Health: The Digital Health Policy space includes mHealth, AI-enabled health software, digital therapeutics, and real-world data. Duke-Margolis in interested in the full landscape of policy challenges around these novel products. Focus areas include researching development challenges, regulation, coverage and payment, and equitable implementation into the health ecosystem.
  

The work site for this opportunity will be in the Duke-Margolis office in Washington, DC or the Duke-Margolis office in Durham, NC. Employees are currently working in a hybrid capacity with a combination of teleworking locally to the area (DC/MD/VA or NC, respectively) and in-person team collaboration.

The ultimate hallmark of Duke-Margolis’ work is the cultivation of the nation’s next generation of health care visionaries and leaders. During the 24-month program, the Postdoctoral Associate in Health Policy will:

• Conduct original policy research and analysis to inform evidence-based solutions to health and health care issues;
• Apply knowledge and competencies from academic and professional experiences to real-world health policy problems;
• Synthesize and translate complex health policy issues and solutions to different audiences;
• Interact with leading experts in health care policy and practice, as well as policy organizations that align with research areas and postdoc career aspirations;
• Develop leadership capabilities for health policy-related professional roles;
• Work within Duke-Margolis under the guidance of research and faculty mentors; and
• Contribute to the development of a Duke-Margolis Policy Postdoc Alumni Community.

Potential postdocs are evaluated holistically across multiple dimensions: professional and academic interest in health policy, health policy-related experience, quantitative skills and experience aligned with needs of Duke-Margolis, effective communication of interest in the postdoc program and preferred track (policy or academic), and the potential to bring unique and positive qualities to the Duke-Margolis postdoc community. We seek scholars who will contribute to the University’s commitment to excellence, inclusivity, and diversity.

The term of the position is anticipated to be two years, with funding after the first year renewable based upon successful performance and continued funding availability from the Duke-Margolis Center.  

Work Performed

Definition:

The Postdoctoral Associate appointee holds an advanced degree (PhD, MD, PharmD, other relevant equivalent). Candidates with non-US degrees may be required to provide proof of degree equivalency. The appointment involves full-time research or scholarship, and may include teaching responsibilities.

Expectations:

• The conscientious discharge of policy research, analysis, or scholarship responsibilities, which may include teaching and mentorship responsibilities. Conformance to standards of responsible conduct in research and good scholarly and research practice and maintenance of records of research activity.
• The Postdoctoral Associate appointee is expected to publish the results of his or her research or scholarship during the period of the appointment.
• Open and timely discussion with the mentor regarding all facets of the Postdoctoral Associate appointee's research activities. Collegial conduct towards members of the research group and others; adherence to other relevant conduct policies pertaining to Duke University. Compliance with all applicable University and departmental policies and procedures.

Education/Experience Requirements

Advanced degree (PhD, MD, PharmD, other relevant equivalent). Demonstrated ability to work in a highly collaborative environment with internal and external stakeholders strongly preferred.

To Apply

Interested individuals must apply through Academic Jobs Online. In the cover letter, applicants should indicate 1) a research area, 2) preference between the DC and Durham locations, and 3) preference between the policy track – designed to help prepare postdocs for a career within settings such as think tanks, health care agencies and companies, executive and legislative branches, and advocacy organizations; or the academic track – designed for those interested in a career in academia.

Application Materials Required:

• Cover letter, including detail described above
• Curriculum Vitae
• Three References (names and email addresses)

Please note that as part of Duke University’s COVID-19 policies and procedures, all faculty and staff are required to have a COVID-19 vaccination or an approved medical or religious exemption as a condition of employment.

The above statements describe the general nature and level of work to be performed in this position and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties required. Employees may be directed to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.

Duke University is an Affirmative Action/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, sexual orientation, or veteran 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.