Duke University, NSOE-ENS & ECS
Position ID:
Duke-NSOE-ENS & ECS-POSTDOC_JAYASUNDARA [#31570, 50496123]
Position Title:
Postdoctoral Associate
Position Type:
Postdoctoral
Position Location:
Durham, North Carolina 27708, United States of America
Subject Areas:
Epidemiology
Biological Sciences
Biostatistics
Health Informatics or Bioinformatics
Environmental Analysis (more...)
Biological Sciences
Biostatistics
Health Informatics or Bioinformatics
Environmental Analysis (more...)
Appl Deadline:
(posted 2026/01/23, listed until 2026/07/02)
Position Description:
Position Description
Position Summary The SCALES (Scholars for Climate and Advanced Leadership in Environment and Sustainability) Postdoctoral Fellows Program at Duke University seeks early-career scholars committed to interdisciplinary research and leadership in climate, environment, and sustainability. This project seeks a candidate interested in investigating how climate change—particularly heat exposure—interacts with environmental pollution to influence non-communicable disease risk. Fellows will collaborate with faculty mentors to co-create high-impact research projects and contribute to climate-focused educational initiatives across the university. About the SCALES Postdoctoral Fellows Program The SCALES Postdoctoral Fellows Program is a newly launched cohort-based initiative designed to cultivate the next generation of leaders in climate and sustainability research and education. Fellows join a vibrant interdisciplinary community, participate in professional development activities, and collaborate across departments to advance Duke’s Climate Commitment. The program emphasizes faculty-mentored research, teaching innovation, and public engagement, providing Fellows with resources and networks to launch impactful careers. To learn more about the SCALES Postdoctoral Fellowship Program, visit our program page: https://climate.duke.edu/what-were-doing/scales-postdoctoral-fellows-program/. Key Responsibilities • Research Collaboration: Co-develop and lead a faculty-mentored research project addressing critical knowledge gaps in Climate and Non-Communicable Diseases. Projects must demonstrate interdisciplinary approaches. The preliminary description of the research project is: The fellow will collaboratively develop and lead studies investigating the impacts of heat exposure on non-communicable diseases, including among firefighter populations, leveraging linked health records and environmental exposure data. However, this opportunity is unique in that the fellow will be given latitude to co-create their research project with input from the mentoring team. The SCALES Fellow in Climate and Non-Communicable Diseases—ideally holding a doctorate in epidemiology, biological sciences, biostatistics, health informatics, or environmental analytics,—will join Duke University’s multidisciplinary Environmental Exposures and Kidney Health (EEKH) group. Dr. Nishad Jayasundara will serve as the primary mentor, supported by four EEKH investigators (Drs. Mercedes Bravo, Liyin He, Heather Stapleton, and Christina Wyatt) with complementary expertise spanning environmental and molecular drivers of chronic disease, epidemiology, heat and green space analytics, chemical exposures, and nephrology. Broadly, the fellow will be part of a cohort-based SCALES training program examining multiple intersections of climate, environmental change, sustainability, and health. The position is designed to provide a highly motivated doctoral-level scientist with rigorous interdisciplinary training in climate data science and health data analysis, fostering the skills, perspective, and leadership capacity needed to establish an independent research trajectory at the intersection of climate and health. A final research proposal and budget will be developed in conjunction with the Fellow following their arrival. This is meant to allow the Fellow to shape the project’s research direction. • Teaching & Engagement: Contribute to climate fluency and sustainability education through course development, teaching, or participation in university-wide initiatives such as Climate+, Bass Connections, and DukeEngage. The proposed teaching & engagement responsibilities for this position are: The SCALES Fellow will have the opportunity to advance climate fluency at Duke and beyond through teaching, research translation, and community engagement aligned with the Climate Commitment. Working with Drs. Jayasundara, Bravo, and He, the fellow may have the opportunity to develop an interdisciplinary course or virtual module on Climate and Health: Noncommunicable Diseases, integrating biology, epidemiology, and data science. Other opportunities include co-leading a project-based course with a field component on climate and health justice to engage with clinical, policy, and community audiences, in addition to contributing to documentaries, games, heat-health workshops, athletic collaborations, and firefighter education to translate research into actionable climate and health solutions. • SCALES Cohort Participation: Engage in cohort-wide programming, seminars, and networking events organized by the Office of Climate and Sustainability. Faculty Mentors The primary faculty mentor for this position is: Dr. Nishad Jayasundara Additional mentors include: Drs. Merecdes Bravo, Liyin He, Heather Stapleton, and Christina Wyatt Qualifications • Ph.D. or equivalent doctorate in a relevant field. Epidemiology, biological sciences, biostatistics, health informatics, environmental analytics or other related fields that can contribute to the intersection of climate science, public health, and non-communicable diseases. • Degree must be conferred by the start of the fellowship. Applicants should be no more than two years past Ph.D. as of July 1, 2026. • Demonstrated interest in interdisciplinary approaches to climate, environment, public health, or sustainability challenges. • A strong data science background is required, preferably with a background in biological sciences. Program Details & Benefits This is a full-time position available with an initial appointment of one year, renewable for up to two additional years contingent on satisfactory performance. The start date is flexible between July 1 and September 1, 2026. Duke University offers a competitive benefits program, which includes medical, dental, and vision insurance, retirement contributions, employee discounts, vacation and sick time, and more. Please review Duke University’s Benefits Program website and the Summary of Postdoctoral Status and Benefits for more information. Priority will be given to applications received by February 15, 2026.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.
Application Materials Required:
Submit the following items online at this website to complete your application:
- Curriculum Vitae
- A cover letter describing your interest in the position, your research and teaching experience, and how this opportunity aligns with your ca
- Three references (no actual letters, just names and email addresses
)
And anything else requested in the position description.
Further Info: