Postdoc Opportunity #2 with Project Unleaded: Survey & Data Focus

Join the Stanford Center for Human and Planetary Health (HPH) and Project Unleaded for an exciting postdoctoral fellowship that contributes to a high-impact global program with a mission to create a healthier world by addressing lead contamination at the source. Project Unleaded conducts policy-relevant research that positively impacts the lives of millions of people globally. As an example, read more about the effort to eliminate lead chromate adulteration of turmeric in Bangladesh. Project Unleaded is based at the Stanford Center for Human and Planetary Health, an interdisciplinary Center at the Woods Institute for the Environment that advances solutions to improve health and sustainability. 

Position Summary: We are seeking a skilled and motivated postdoctoral fellow with expertise in designing, implementing, and analyzing population-based field surveys in low- and middle-income countries. The first project will be supporting a representative lead exposure survey across 12,000 households in 10 states in India. The role includes designing quantitative and qualitative data collection tools, leading survey fieldwork in collaboration with in-country partners, conducting rigorous data analysis, and contributing to the development of actionable insights for policy and program improvement. 

The start date is Fall 2025. This is a full-time (100% FTE), one-year appointment, with the possibility of renewal for a second year, contingent upon performance and funding. The position reports to Dr. Jenna Forsyth, Director of Project Unleaded and Dr. Steve Luby, Faculty Director of the Center for Human and Planetary Health. The postdoc will receive a competitive salary based on Stanford University guidelines, and full benefits.

Key Responsibilities:

Survey Design & Planning

• Develop and adapt field survey instruments aligned with project goals and local context (e.g., household-based lead exposure surveys and/or market-based surveys).
• Lead sampling design, ensuring representativeness and methodological rigor.
• Draft and submit ethics protocols (IRB) and informed consent procedures.

Field Implementation

• Coordinate with in-country research partners, ministries of health, and local enumerator teams to manage survey logistics.
• Oversee enumerator training, pre-testing, and quality assurance protocols.
• Code survey into appropriate software (e.g., SurveyCTO, RedCap).
• Conduct field monitoring and troubleshoot real-time data collection challenges (e.g., technology, logistics, respondent recruitment).

Data Management & Analysis

• Clean and manage large-scale quantitative survey datasets using R (preferred) and Stata or other packages as necessary.
• Analyze data to assess prevalence of lead exposure sources, associations with key outcomes, and spatial trends.
• Support or lead mixed-methods analysis combining survey data with qualitative findings where applicable.

Reporting & Dissemination

• Develop data visualizations, technical reports, donor updates, and academic manuscripts.
• Present findings to internal and external stakeholders including donors, governments, and communities.
• Translate results into actionable recommendations to inform program strategy and health policy.

Other

• Pursue independent research projects related to lead contamination and/or environmental health topics (up to 10% time). 

Required Qualifications: 

• Doctoral degree in epidemiology, biostatistics, data science, public health, demography, geography or another quantitative social science field with an environmental/global health lens
• Experience designing and analyzing survey data
• Strong quantitative analysis skills, with a minimum of 3 years of statistical programming experience with R (possibly also Stata, Python or other statistical software)
• Excellent oral and written English-language communication skills
• Established record of population health research and scholarship, including peer-reviewed publications
• Highly motivated self-starter who thrives in dynamic settings and has the ability to work independently with minimal supervision
• Experience working in interdisciplinary settings that combine multiple perspectives and disciplines
• Interest in fostering an inclusive environment and appreciation of differences in the workplace 

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Experience conducting advanced spatial statistical analyses related to environmental health risks (hotspot analyses, spatial regression analyses)
• Written or verbal proficiency in Hindi, Urdu, Bengali or another common South Asian language

Work Setting:

• Desk-based at Stanford’s Woods Institute for the Environment
• May require up to 30% international travel to field sites
• Periodic evening or early morning calls to accommodate global time zones (particularly 7-8am PT and 7-9pm PT)

Required Application Materials:

• A cover letter describing your research accomplishments, areas of interest, career goals, and relevant experience. (2 page max)
• CV
• Two representative writing samples, including one published academic article and a submitted funding proposal if available.
• One sample of R code demonstrating relevant skills in data analysis, statistical modeling, and visualization from a recent project.
• Contact information for three references – at least one reference should be a past supervisor and another a past team member. 

How to Apply: Submit all application materials to mueller7@stanford.edu. Please write ‘Project Unleaded Data Postdoc Application’ in the subject line of the email.