Community-Based Systems Dynamics Scientist

Job Summary

About the Ubuntu Center

The Ubuntu Center on Racism, Global Movements & Population Health Equity, Dornsife School of Public Health at Drexel University is a research and action center that unites diverse partners to generate and translate evidence, accelerate antiracism solutions, and transform the health of communities locally, nationally, and globally. The Center has four primary focus areas which include: 1) advancing transdisciplinary, antiracism population health research, training, and scholarship; 2) bridging relationships to build critical consciousness and power for health equity and racial justice; 3) expanding collective action for population health equity aligned with principles and practices of community organizing and social movements; and 4) strengthening capacity and sustainability to maximize our impact. Who we are and what we do embodies the South African principle “Ubuntu... I am because we are.” We believe that by working collectively, we will achieve a just future, free from systems of oppression, full of new possibilities through bold, collective action, and an equitable world in which all individuals and communities are healthy and thrive.

Overview:The Ubuntu Center on Racism, Global Movements & Population Health Equity at the Dornsife School of Public Health is seeking a full-time Social Systems Scientist for the Illuminating and Addressing Healthcare’s Role in Perpetuating Structural Racism (ISR) project, a three-year, multi-site initiative sponsored by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The ISR project intends to synthesize and build on existing research to clearly illuminate the historical roots of structural racism in the healthcare system and the modern-day structures, policies, and institutional practices that have resulted in and perpetuated structural racism and a culture of white supremacy. To accomplish this our team will: 1) Cultivate a diverse network inclusive of scholars, community members, organizers and activists, and healthcare practitioners engaged in antiracism efforts; 2) Develop a framework to understand structural racism in the healthcare industry and identify potential entry points for antiracism action utilizing systems science and organizing tools; 3) Translate and disseminate project learnings to key audiences through a collaborative, multimedia narrative strategy; and 4) Co-develop organizing tools that build power and agency towards accountability and policy transformation. These activities will produce a roadmap for future research, funding, and, most importantly, bold action towards dismantling structural racism in the healthcare industry.

This position is a remote, grant-funded, position that requires in-office hours or travel that will be based on the project and PI needs. The office is in Philadelphia, PA.

Essential Functions

• Support development and implementation of co-learning and relationship building activities with research team across project sites.
• Lead system dynamics portion of analysis of data outputs to develop qualitative system dynamics models and maps to support overall data analysis efforts and development of project deliverables and communication materials.
• Develop and manage team process for application of community-based system dynamics with selected project sites .
• Develop and manage team process for application of community-based system dynamics with selected project sites.
• Facilitate community-based system dynamics group model building sessions at project sites as needed.
• Work alongside the Systems Dynamics research team to present data to the larger ISR team.
• Assist with analyses for manuscripts and abstracts for peer-reviewed journals and conferences, as needed.
  
  

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of Master's Degree in Systems Dynamics or the equivalent combination of education and work experience.
• Please review the Equivalency Chart for additional information.
• Minimum of 3-5 years of experience.
• Systems Dynamics, Group Model Building
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrates a strong commitment to antiracism and recognizes the shared dignity and humanity of all individuals and communities
• Prior experience with multisite research with a diverse set of academic and community partners
• Experience and comfort working alongside community organizations, organizers, and scholars
• Extensive experience elevating the voices of community members and context experts in research initiatives.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build and maintain relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• An advanced/graduate degree in a relevant field preferred but relevant lived experience and expertise will also be considered.
• Very detail oriented, extremely organized, flexible, and comfortable with multitasking.
• Excellent oral, written, analytical, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
• Team oriented and experienced in working with diverse groups.
• Can work independently and in a team environment and has demonstrated complex problem-solving ability.
• Can communicate with others in a supportive manner.
• Three to five years experience designing, planning and facilitating community-based system dynamics and/or group model building projects with diverse groups on related topics of structural racism and public health.
• Extensive experience in applying systems dynamics and systems thinking to structural racism.
• Expertise in using qualitative system dynamics modeling conventions to synthesize and communicate complex ideas and insights from data.
• Expertise in designing and facilitating systems dynamics capacity building workshops and/or learning opportunities for diverse audiences.
  
  

Physical Demands

• Typically sitting at a desk/table
  
  

Location

• Remote
  
  

Additional Information

This position is classified as Exempt, grade M. Compensation for this grade ranges from [$75,200 to $112,790 per year. Please note that the offered rate for this position typically aligns with the minimum to midrange of this grade, but it can vary based on the successful candidate’s qualifications and experience, department budget, and an internal equity review.

Applicants are encouraged to explore the Professional Staff salary structure and Compensation Guidelines & Policies for more details on Drexel’s compensation framework. For information about benefits, please review Drexel’s Benefits Brochure .

Special Instructions to the Applicant

Please make sure you upload your CV/resume and cover letter when submitting your application.

Additional Required Documents

A review of applicants will begin once a suitable candidate pool is identified.