Postdoctoral Research Scholar – Biological Anthropology/Human Biology/Health Disparities; Vanderbilt University, Department of Anthropology Location: Nashville, TN

Dr. Monica Keith, Assistant Professor of Anthropology at Vanderbilt University, invites applications for a one-year postdoctoral researcher, with possibility of renewal for a second year. Applicants should have interests and demonstrated experience researching health disparities, human biology, and/or maternal and child health in living populations. Work in the Keith lab integrates health, socio-ecological, and genetic data to assess human variation and health disparities in a biosocial framework. Projects range in scale from longitudinal field-based research with subsistence-based communities to secondary analysis of large national datasets. Ongoing work is located in Dominica, Bangladesh, and the US researching family and maternal health, pregnancy and birth outcomes, child growth, impacts of climate change on human biology, and genetic and socio-ecological influences on cardiometabolic health.

This postdoctoral position will focus on the analysis of existing data with potential for wet-lab work, fieldwork, and/or teaching if desired. Applicants should have a strong quantitative background, data analysis skills, demonstrated experience in programming and statistical modeling, and demonstrated ability to publish in English-language peer-reviewed journals. Experience working with real-world, longitudinal, and/or SNP data is strongly preferred, and expertise in Bayesian and causal inference, multivariate statistics, and regression-based modeling is ideal. Responsibilities for this position include statistical analysis and data management related to the projects described above, mentorship of graduate and undergraduate researchers, and collaborative participation, dissemination, and presentation of research results. The successful applicant will gain experience in data science, publishing, grant-writing, and mentorship, with additional opportunities possible in lab work, fieldwork, and teaching.

The Keith lab aims to provide a supportive and inclusive research environment that fosters transdisciplinary training and collaborative exchange. The lab is based in Vanderbilt’s Department of Anthropology in Nashville, TN and is also affiliated with the Vanderbilt Evolutionary Studies Initiative as well as the Data Science Institute.

This position is full-time with an initial appointment of 12 months and an additional year-long extension contingent upon performance. Benefits are included with details available here: https://www.vanderbilt.edu/postdoc/current-postdocs/human-resources-onboarding/general-information/. The anticipated start date is August 1, 2024, but either an earlier or later start date is negotiable. Candidates must have obtained their PhD in Biological Anthropology or a related field prior to the start date.

To apply, please send the following to [email protected]: (1) a current CV, (2) a cover letter describing relevant interests, experience, and fit for the position, (3) names and contact information for 3 references, and (4) a writing sample. Review of applications will begin immediately, and priority will be given to those received by May 10, 2024. Please reach out with any questions.