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Job Summary

Overview:

The Ubuntu Center on Racism, Global Movements & Population Health Equity at the Dornsife School of Public Health is seeking a Graduate Research Assistant to work on the Illuminating and Addressing Healthcare’s Role in Perpetuating Structural Racism (ISR) project, a 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.

The Graduate Research Assistant will work directly with the project manager, the co-PIs and research team during the sensemaking and dissemination phases of the ISR project, helping to collect, manage and code quantitative and qualitative data.

This is a hybrid position that requires in-office hours based on the project and PI needs. The office is in Philadelphia, PA. Local and remote candidates will be considered. A 10-15 hour per week commitment is required, with work beginning in December 2026.

Graduate students from both Drexel University and from other institutions are welcome to apply.


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.

This position is grant-funded; employment is contingent upon the continued availability of those funds.   

Essential Functions

• Work alongside the project manager and research team to facilitate co-learning processes and sessions across project sites and coordinate with stakeholders. Specifically, supporting the consent process and facilitation of focus groups and interviews with a Philadelphia-based community partner site, YEAH Philly.
• Organize and manage qualitative and quantitative data collected across sites and support ongoing literature reviews and gathering of background knowledge 
• Coding transcripts to extract salient themes aligned with project goals/next steps 
• Produce data documentation and protocol 
• Transcribing focus group and interview notes 

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of a Master's Degree 
• Minimum of 1-2 years of experience. 

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrates kindness, compassion, integrity, and commitment to anti-racism and liberation-based approaches.
• Recognizes the shared dignity and humanity of all individuals and communities
• Experience and comfort working alongside community organizations, organizers, and scholars
• Courage and commitment to personal growth and self-discovery in anti-racist practices and methodologies.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build and maintain relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Pursuing a graduate degree in a relevant field
• Very detail oriented, extremely organized, 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.

Physical Demands

• Typically sitting at a desk/table

Location

• Hybrid/Flexible Work Arrangement

Additional Information

This is a Part-Time casual position classified as Non-Exempt. The offered pay is based on the successful candidate’s qualifications and experience, department budget, and an internal equity review.

For information about benefits, please review Drexel’s Per Diem/Casual/Temporary Benefit Fact Sheet.

Special Instructions to the Applicant
Please make sure you upload your CV/resume and cover letter when submitting your application.

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

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