Postdoctoral Research Associate at Northeastern University, USA: Fully Funded Health Communication and Health Equity Research Opportunity for Global Scholars

Researchers and early-career academics seeking to advance their careers in health communication, public health, and health equity now have an exciting opportunity to join one of the leading research institutions in the United States. Northeastern University is recruiting a Postdoctoral Research Associate to support cutting-edge transdisciplinary research within the Communication for Health Equity Lab led by Professor Diane Francis.

This prestigious research position is designed for scholars passionate about health behavior change, culturally responsive communication interventions, and reducing health disparities among underserved populations. The role offers an opportunity to contribute to impactful research projects while building expertise in mixed methods research, AI-driven health communication, digital media, community engagement, and health campaign evaluation.

The appointment is for two years and is based in Boston, Massachusetts, USA.

About the Postdoctoral Research Associate Position

The Communication for Health Equity Lab focuses on advancing health and well-being through effective communication strategies. The selected Postdoctoral Research Associate will collaborate on innovative projects that explore how communication interventions can improve health outcomes for populations affected by health disparities.

The lab’s research combines communication science, public health, technology, and behavioral sciences to create evidence-based solutions that promote equity in healthcare access and health information dissemination.

This position is especially valuable for researchers interested in:

• Health communication
• Public health interventions
• Computational health communication
• Artificial intelligence in health messaging
• Social and digital media impacts on health outcomes
• Community-centered health research
• Mixed methods research
• Health equity and underserved populations

Key Responsibilities

The successful candidate will play an active role in various research and academic activities within the Communication for Health Equity Lab.

Responsibilities include:

1. Conducting Research on Health Communication Strategies

The researcher will contribute to projects focused on:

• Developing health communication interventions
• Evaluating communication strategies
• Addressing health disparities
• Supporting underserved populations
• Designing culturally responsive health messaging

2. Utilizing Mixed Methods Research

The position requires expertise or interest in multiple research methodologies, including:

• Qualitative research methods
• Quantitative research approaches
• Community engagement research
• Big data collection and analytics
• Population-based surveys
• Health campaign evaluation studies

3. Grant Writing and Research Development

The postdoctoral associate will assist with:

• Developing research proposals
• Writing grant applications
• Designing new research initiatives
• Supporting collaborative academic projects

4. Academic Writing and Publications

The role also involves:

• Manuscript preparation
• Scientific publication writing
• Disseminating research findings
• Supporting scholarly communication

5. Lab Management and Student Supervision

The selected candidate will help oversee research activities and mentor students by:

• Supervising graduate students
• Supporting undergraduate researchers
• Assisting with lab coordination
• Managing research workflows

Minimum Qualifications

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

• A PhD degree (or expected completion before the start date)
• Academic background in:
  • Communication
  • Public health
  • Health promotion
  • Social and behavioral sciences
  • Or related fields

Candidates with interests in the following areas will have an added advantage:

• Computational health communication
• Artificial intelligence and health messaging
• Social media and health outcomes
• Digital communication research

Preferred Qualifications

Northeastern University is particularly interested in applicants who possess:

• Experience conducting mixed methods research
• Expertise in qualitative and quantitative analysis
• Experience with population-based surveys
• Knowledge of big data analytics
• Experience evaluating health communication campaigns

The institution strongly encourages applications from individuals from diverse backgrounds, particularly groups underrepresented in health-related research.

Salary and Benefits

The Postdoctoral Research Associate position comes with a competitive salary package and employee benefits.

Expected Salary Range

• USD 59,423.00 – USD 83,934.50 annually

The final salary will depend on:

• Educational qualifications
• Professional experience
• Skills and expertise
• Geographic considerations
• Internal salary comparisons

Employee Benefits

Eligible employees at Northeastern University receive comprehensive benefits, including:

• Medical insurance
• Dental coverage
• Vision insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plans
• Wellness and life programs
• Tuition assistance
• Transportation and commuting support

More information about employee benefits can be found on the official Northeastern University benefits page:

Northeastern University Benefits Information

Why This Opportunity Stands Out

This postdoctoral opportunity offers several major advantages for researchers aiming to build international academic careers.

Career Advancement

Researchers will gain:

• High-level academic research experience
• Publication opportunities
• Grant writing exposure
• International collaboration experience
• Mentorship and leadership opportunities

Exposure to Innovative Research

The role integrates emerging areas such as:

• AI-driven health communication
• Big data in public health
• Digital health interventions
• Social media analytics
• Community-based participatory research

Work Within a Prestigious Institution

Northeastern University is internationally recognized for excellence in research, innovation, and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Application Process

Interested applicants should submit their applications through the official Northeastern University careers portal.

Official Application Link

Apply for the Postdoctoral Research Associate Position

Applicants are encouraged to prepare:

• Updated academic CV
• Cover letter
• Research statement
• Publication samples
• References

Important Information

• Position Type: Research
• Duration: 2 years
• Location: Boston, Massachusetts, USA
• Employer: Northeastern University
• Research Area: Health Communication and Health Equity
• Salary Range: USD 59,423 – USD 83,934.50

Deadline

No specific application deadline was mentioned in the announcement. However, interested applicants are strongly encouraged to apply as early as possible because the job posting has already been published.

Conclusion

The Postdoctoral Research Associate opportunity at Northeastern University presents an outstanding pathway for researchers passionate about health communication, public health, and health equity. With access to interdisciplinary research, advanced methodologies, mentorship opportunities, and competitive benefits, this position offers an ideal environment for early-career scholars to grow academically and professionally.

Researchers with expertise in communication sciences, AI-driven health messaging, public health, and mixed methods research should strongly consider applying for this prestigious opportunity in the United States.

 

Apply here

 

Learn More

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