Gap Year Fellowship Program in Global Health

We’re looking for motivated people within three years of graduating, specifically, applicants should have:

• Passion for women’s empowerment, advocacy, and reproductive justice

• Motivation and independence to work with minimal guidance once trained

• Ability to interpret and communicate scientific research to lay audiences through compelling and creative storytelling

• Ability to effectively manage multiple projects and deadlines

• Outstanding writing and editing skills, with attention to detail

• Outstanding communication and organizational skills

• Understanding of how to reach different target audiences

• Ability to be in unfamiliar settings writing about topics he/she may not be an expert on

• Ability to synthesize the opinions of various stakeholders across a variety of disciplines, communities, and cultures

• Ability to work with a multidisciplinary team of post-bacs, directors, staff, graduate students, and collaborators

Project A – Ignite Design-based STEM Education This hire will lead the Center’s STEM education program, called Ignite. Each Ignite curriculum engages students in a specific design challenge that is based on one of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as outlined by the UN. Students apply hard engineering skills they acquire in the course to the Human-centered design process (IDEO) to go from ideation to prototype. This hire will work directly with collaborators implementing Ignite in Peru, Guatemala, and the Durham Public School System. This hire will also mentor Duke undergraduate students who will spend one summer in each location implementing and evaluating the Ignite program across contexts. They will also manage the evaluation, implementation, and reporting of various grants related to Ignite. Additionally, this hire will work with Dr. Ramanujam directly to lead the course BME 230: Global Women’s Health Technologies, as well as independent studies related to various Ignite outcomes.

Project B – Pocket Colposcope Implementation The key learning objectives for the Pocket Colposcope post-baccalaureate fellow project involve understanding how the current model for cervical cancer prevention contributes to high incidence of morbidity and mortality of the disease, particularly in low and middle-income countries. Fellows will learn about the process of human-centered design, the technologies we have developed (the Pocket Colposcope) to overcome barriers to screening/care, and how to implement those strategies in local and international clinical settings. Fellows will become adept at using the Pocket Colposcope and the appropriate software to provide technical support to international clinic partners and engage in clinical research through our ongoing study in Duke’s Gynecological Clinic as well as other international sites. Through their experience with our center, students will gain a rich understanding of interdisciplinary collaboration in innovation, education, and empowerment.

Project C – Communication and Writing This hire will help effectively convey the unique strengths of GWHT through publications related to the research of the Center. This will include writing and copy-editing nonfederal grant applications, copy-editing federal grants, writing op-eds for various magazines and newspapers, reviewing and copy-editing research manuscripts, submitting articles to non-peer reviewed journals, as well as writing newsletters and pieces for social media. Candidates must be comfortable writing for a variety of audiences. The writing specialist will work closely with the Director, Executive Director, Center Staff and research teams to develop appropriate content across a variety of projects. They will work across biomedical engineering, global health, education, and awareness projects within the Center and will need to familiarize themselves with each project.

Project D – Breast Cancer Metabolism and Ethanol Ablation Research Fellow This hire will be responsible for supporting and maintaining all animal research done in the Center. Fellows will be immersed in the world of research management, planning, and execution and will be provided the opportunity to learn first-hand the skills necessary to sustain and conduct ethical, precise animal-related research. Through hands-on learning, Fellows will work side-by-side with current graduate students and staff on projects such as breast metabolic imaging and ethanol ablation. In addition to supporting basic research, Fellows will have the opportunity to conduct research projects in support of current major projects. The ability to work with animals is foundational to this role. All applicants for this position must have prior animal-handling experience. Animal procedure experience (e.g. tail vein injections, dorsal or mammary window surgeries, etc.) is highly recommended and preferred. Cell culture experience is preferred.

Compensation: The Center uses NIH guidelines as the basis for compensation. The standard NIH stipend is increased by approximately 15%, depending on years of professional experience after graduation. Additionally, your stipend as a Calla Fellow is approximately $4,000 greater than a first-year Ph.D. graduate student at Duke University. Calla Fellows with an exceptional first year may be offered to continue their internship for an additional 12 months.

As a Calla Post-Baccalaureate Fellow you are eligible for $500 for relocation expenses if you live outside of the Raleigh-Durham area. Applicants must have a 4-year degree (all majors accepted). Recent college graduates (past three years) preferred. No prior professional experience is required, though the individual should have excelled in their undergraduate degree and any jobs they held while studying, as shown through the resume and letters of recommendations. This 12-month Fellowship is a full-time paid position consisting of a least 40 hours per week. A computer and travel stipend will be provided. The Center also promotes professional development and will support activities for such education. Fellows with stellar performance will also be eligible for a second year extension.

For more information, please contact Executive Director, Marlee Krieger, at Marlee.krieger@duke.edu.

To Apply: Please e-mail Executive Director, Marlee Krieger at marlee.krieger@duke.edu with the project you are applying for in the subject line and with the following documents:

• Full name and address

• Appropriate contact information

• Your resume

• Two letters of recommendation

• One - page statement describing your professional goals and research interest(s)

We look forward to welcoming a motivated, enthusiastic team member to help us share the exciting and important work of the Center for Global Women’s Health Technologies.