December 14, 2020

Research Assistant

EcoHealth Alliance is seeking a research assistant to work on a two-year initiative to identify, develop, and help implement coordinated, multi-sectoral strategies to improve regional biosurveillance and biodefence in the Caucasus. This position is ideal for a recent MSc or MPH graduate with a passion for One Health, Global Health Security, international health policy, and/or risk-based approaches to prevent disease emergence. The candidate must have strong interpersonal, oral and written communication skills. Responsibilities include conducting systematic reviews and synthesizing large bodies of scientific knowledge and policy documents; drafting reports, presentations and manuscripts; managing collaborations between various U.S. and international scientists and other stakeholders; liaising with U.S. government funding agencies; assisting with the collection, cleaning, and analyses of data (spatial analysis or R programing experience a plus); and providing other administrative support for the project where needed. Experience working in the Caucasus countries (Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia) or languages is a plus, but not required. This position is based in New York City with the possibility of some domestic or international travel, but due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, this position may initially be remote. Required travel to office or elsewhere would be evaluated based upon business need and staff safety.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Provide research, programmatic, and administrative support for a US-funded project to identify, develop, and help implement coordinated, multi-sectoral strategies to improve health security in the Caucasus (Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia)
  • Conduct systematic reviews and gap analyses by synthesizing the published literature and unpublished reports to assess disease preparedness and current levels of multi-sectoral engagement in various countries
  • Review and synthesize country assessment, planning, and policy documents
  • Help collect, clean, and conduct analyses using heterogeneous datasets including ecological, geographic, socio-economic, and demographic data
  • Directly support the Vice President for Research at EcoHealth Alliance, and other senior scientists and staff working on the project
  • Assist with drafting scientific manuscripts for publication, presentations, and public reports as well as with annual project reporting and quarterly updates
  • Help build a network of and regularly communicate with diverse international collaborators, including scientists, government officials, and other stakeholders
  • Coordinate project conference calls and meetings and take detailed minutes
  • Help organize and design country-level, multi-day roundtable workshops in Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia (possibly remote/virtual)
  • Help design and organize multi-day regional workshop in 2021-22, including tabletop exercises to test multi-sectoral preparedness and communication strategies for emerging diseases
  • Otherwise assist with the smooth execution of the project, and development of other EcoHealth Alliance programs

QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Master’s degree in Public Health; Global Health; International Policy; Biology; or related fields
  • Interest and/or experience in infectious diseases preparedness, global health security, and multi-sectoral One Health approaches
  • Ability to conduct systematic literature reviews, policy analysis, data collation and cleaning, and exploratory data analyses and visualizations
  • Quantitative analytical, data cleaning, and statistical skills; experience with R programming a plus
  • Demonstrable research skills and peer-reviewed publications
  • Ability to synthesize information and draft high-quality technical reports and other project outputs
  • Experience with collaborative, international research projects
  • Must be self-driven and highly motivated, organized, and willing to perform both research and administrative duties
  • Strong interpersonal skills and ability to place team before self and with a strong sense of diplomacy
  • Willingness to adjust working schedule according to international time zones
  • Strong oral and written communication skills and fluency in English required

At EcoHealth Alliance, our vision is a workplace with a diverse and talented staff where people want to come, to stay, do their best work, and grow. We recruit, employ, train, compensate and promote our staff without regard to race, ethnicity, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, veteran status, or socioeconomic status. This position is based at EcoHealth Alliance in New York City and will entail extensive domestic and international travel. EcoHealth Alliance offers a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefit package including health, dental, and vision coverage, and a 403(b) pension plan. EcoHealth Alliance is proud and deeply committed to being an equal opportunity employer.

How to Apply:

Send an email with a single attachment labeled with your first and last name only (“first last.pdf”) in PDF format containing (a) a cover letter, (b) CV, and (c) three references to jobs@ecohealthalliance.org with “RESEARCH ASSISTANT – CAUCASUS” in the subject line. Emails without the subject line or with multiple attachments will not be received. No formal text is required within the body of your email, since emails will not be evaluated. All inquires will receive an automatic response confirming receipt. Applicants will be evaluated and only appropriate candidates will be contacted.

Thank you for your interest in EcoHealth Alliance!