Assistant or Associate Research Scientist, Science & Policy

The Assistant or Associate Research Scientist, Science & Policy in the Program on Reproductive Health and the Environment (PRHE) is responsible for contributing substantive science and policy work to an innovative academic program on research translation focused on environmental health at the University of California, San Francisco. The position is within the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences.

• Under the leadership of the Associate Director of Science & Policy, be a part of a strong, cohesive, and successful Science & Policy team.
• Engage in relevant research and translation of research in federal, state, and local chemical policy that builds upon the nationally and internationally recognized work of the program.
• Advance PRHE’s groundbreaking work in systematic reviews in environmental health, including methodological development and/or enhancements, application to case studies, and training materials targeted for a broad range of audiences.
• In collaboration with PRHE’s Director and Associate Director of Science & Policy, engage academic and government scientists on relevant science policy issues including systematic reviews.
• Lead a collaborative project under the mentorship and guidance of the Science and Policy leadership and external experts to develop an evidence-based framework that uses results of systematic review and considers science, equity, and other relevant factors to inform decision-making. As part of the project work with a multidisciplinary team of experts globally, work with senior scientists on the development of the framework.
• Develop and apply quantitative methods from the evidence-based framework to case studies such as estimating attributable risks and benefits/costs of environmental chemical exposures.
• Provide expertise on emerging environmental health topics such as high throughput/in vitro/in silico modeling.

• Conduct and collaborate on original research and publish papers in peer-reviewed scientific journals.
• Write succinctly and compellingly in various formats including blogs, policy comments, and peer-reviewed scientific papers for a wide range of audiences, including scientists, clinicians, policymakers, and the public.
• Work with PRHE’s communication team to develop scientific outreach materials such as background summary documents, briefings, press releases, and social media posts.
• Work in active collaboration with a wide range of external partners, including local, state, national, and international government officials; leading academics in the field; and NGOs.
• Approximately 10% travel time to present at scientific conferences and meetings.
• Support grant proposals and reports to support PRHE’s Science & Policy work.
• Support PRHE’s Director and Associate Director of Science & Policy on presentations, publications, and other projects as needed.

Required qualifications:
• Demonstrated written and oral communications skills and ability to communicate with scientists and non-scientists.
• Demonstrated expertise in environmental health sciences, public health, occupational health, epidemiology, toxicology, or other related field.
• Applicants must possess a doctorate degree or its equivalent in a relevant environmental health field and must be familiar with epidemiology, risk assessment and/or exposure assessment.
• Familiarity with or strong desire to learn systematic review methods in clinical sciences or environmental health.
• Advanced knowledge of statistical data analysis methodology and computational skills using R, SAS, STATA or equivalent.
• Expertise in a epidemiology, risk assessment and/or benefit cost analysis
• Publication track record in the peer-reviewed scientific literature.
• Attention to detail and ability to manage multiple priorities and projects.
• Desire to learn about science-policy work and demonstrated commitment to lifelong learning.
• Commitment to public health advocacy and advancing scientific knowledge.
• Ability to work well with others and desire to work on collaborative projects.

Desired qualifications
• Knowledge of, and practice in, environmental health science and policy in the United States.
• Experience in public health advocacy.
• Knowledge of risk assessment and/or benefit cost and other quantitative analysis methods for environmental health
• Familiarity with systematic review methods.
• Demonstrated success in securing funding through academic, foundation, NGO, or government grants.
• Experience with social media and usage in an academic/ professional setting.
• Familiarity with animal toxicity testing or human epidemiology studies.
• Familiarity with 21st Century testing approaches, including in vitro methods or testing approaches.

Screening of applicants will begin immediately and will continue as needed throughout the recruitment period. Salary and rank will be commensurate with the applicant’s experience and training.

UC San Francisco seeks candidates whose experience, teaching, research, or community service has prepared them to contribute to our commitment to diversity and excellence. The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age or protected veteran status.

Please apply online at https://aprecruit.ucsf.edu/JPF02975.

Job location
San Francisco, CA

About PRHE
The UCSF Program on Reproductive Health (PRHE) and the Environment & Health Initiative (EHI) is known for cutting-edge research, scientific integrity, creative policy and clinical solutions to environmental and public health problems, and dedication to health equity and justice. PRHE and EHI is comprised of more than 30 affiliated faculty, postdoctoral fellows, clinicians, and staff, and a highly successful research, science and policy program. We implement a multi-pronged strategy to transform environmental science into improved health by:
1.conducting rigorous science;
2.bringing the science to decision-makers through briefings and communications;
3.developing and scaling innovative, evidence-based tools to make prevention-focused decisions in clinical and policy arenas; and
4.partnering with scientists and health professional leaders in promoting better policy.

This work is essential for equitable science-based decisions across all environmental health issues, including air pollution, toxic chemicals, building materials, and many others.

Our program is housed at UCSF, one of the most prestigious medical centers in the US, ranked in the top 5 universities in the country for education, research and patient care. UC San Francisco is the leading university dedicated to advancing health worldwide through preeminent biomedical research, graduate-level education in the life sciences and health professions, and excellence in patient care.