Postdoctoral Research Fellowship - Oncology and Health Policy

Postdoctoral Research Fellow - Oncology and Health Policy

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Boston, MA

Full Time

Overview

Program: The Fellowship will provide a two-year mentored training experience in research focused on cancer health policy at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI) and Beth Israel-Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC), which are both Harvard Medical School teaching hospitals.
This unique program brings together expertise in cancer care delivery research (Dana-Farber’s Center for Outcomes and Policy Research), along other Population Sciences pillars (DFCI’s cancer genetics, health communication, clinical computational oncology), and health policy (BIDMC’s Health Policy Section at the Smith Center for Outcomes Research), providing an exceptional environment for postdoctoral fellows to develop and carry out research at the intersection of oncology and health policy under shared mentorship between these programs.

Goal: To develop the next generation of leaders in oncology and health policy by providing rigorous training in the use of big data, advanced biostatistical methods, and econometric approaches, paired with dedicated mentorship from experts to advance innovative, high-impact research.

A two-year joint post-doctoral training program between the Division of Population Sciences at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Richard A. and Susan F. Smith Center for Outcomes Research at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.

Located in Boston and the surrounding communities, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is a leader in life changing breakthroughs in cancer research and patient care. We are united in our mission of conquering cancer, HIV/AIDS and related diseases. We strive to create an inclusive, diverse, and equitable environment where we provide compassionate and comprehensive care to patients of all backgrounds, and design programs to promote public health particularly among high-risk and underserved populations. We conduct groundbreaking research that advances treatment, we educate tomorrow's physician/researchers, and we work with amazing partners, including other Harvard Medical School-affiliated hospitals.

Responsibilities

• Post-doctoral fellows will spend two years (starting July 2026) conducting mentored research.
• The fellow will be housed within the Division of Population Sciences at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI) in Boston, Massachusetts, which will provide space, salary support, the support of an experienced mentor in the Division, and opportunity to participate in seminars on cancer care delivery research, genetics and prevention, and/or clinical computational oncology.
• The fellow will also receive joint mentorship and training at the Smith Center for Outcomes Research (BIDMC), including support of an experienced mentor in health policy, participation in seminars focused on health policy and statistical methods for causal inference, access to diverse national data sources, and analytic support.
• Based on interests identified at the time of application, the fellow will be guided toward appropriate mentors who will provide research oversight and supervision.
• The mentors will work closely with the fellow to refine research questions, develop study designs, and create rigorous analytic plans.
• They will provide ongoing guidance to fellows to ensure successful execution of the research and will actively support dissemination of research findings through talks and publications.
• During the two-year fellowship, we will encourage submission of a K series or other career development award to ensure a successful transition to an independent faculty position upon completion of the program.

Faculty Co-Directors:
Jennifer Mack, MD MPH, Director of the Center for Outcomes and Policy Research and Associate Chief of the Division of Population Sciences, DFCI
Rishi Wadhera, MD, MPP, MPhil, Director of the Health Policy Section of the Richard A. and Susan F. Smith Center for Outcomes Research, BIDMC

Funding:
Salary is supported by the McGraw/Patterson fund in the Division of Population Sciences at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

Interested applicants should send the following to Nicole Santangelo ([email protected]) by December 5, 2026:

• A completed application
• Curriculum vitae
• 2-3 letters of professional recommendation, submitted directly to Nicole Santangelo at the address above
• A one-page statement describing professional background and training to date (Arial 11-point font, single spaced, 1 inch margins)
• A one-page statement describing research interests, career goals, and interest in the fellowship (Arial 11-point font, single spaced, 1 inch margins)

Qualifications

• Applicants must have completed a Ph.D. or M.D. degree in medicine, public health, or a related field in order to apply (or have an anticipated degree by July 2026)
• Applicants may be in a clinical field (eg, medicine, nursing) or a non-clinical discipline (eg, health policy, economics, social sciences).
• Applicants from a clinical field should have training in a field relevant to cancer health policy.

Pay Transparency Statement

The hiring range is based on market pay structures, with individual salaries determined by factors such as business needs, market conditions, internal equity, and based on the candidate’s relevant experience, skills and qualifications.

For union positions, the pay range is determined by the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA)

$72,000 - $76,385

At Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, we work every day to create an innovative, caring, and inclusive environment where every patient, family, and staff member feels they belong. As relentless as we are in our mission to reduce the burden of cancer for all, we are committed to having faculty and staff who offer multifaceted experiences. Cancer knows no boundaries and when it comes to hiring the most dedicated and compassionate professionals, neither do we. If working in this kind of organization inspires you, we encourage you to apply.

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is an equal opportunity employer and affirms the right of every qualified applicant to receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, national origin, sexual orientation, genetic information, disability, age, ancestry, military service, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law.

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