Associate Research Fellows (Two Positions Available)

Job description

Ibis Reproductive Health is a global nonprofit driving change through bold, rigorous research, and principled partnerships that advance sexual and reproductive autonomy, choices, and health worldwide. We believe that research can catalyze change when the entire research process is viewed as an opportunity to shift power, is undertaken in partnership with the communities most affected, and includes a focus on how data can be most effectively used to make change. We focus on increasing access to quality abortion care, transforming access to abortion and contraception through technology and service innovations, and expanding comprehensive sexual and reproductive health information and services. Ibis works with partners in more than 30 countries on six continents through our offices located in South Africa and the United States. Our staff is located in Cambridge, MA and Oakland CA, USA; and Johannesburg, South Africa. Employees within commuting distance of the Oakland or Cambridge office work in-office part of the week. Applications from candidates who would work remotely from another US location will also be considered. For more information, visit: . Associate Research Fellowships are time-limited (one-year with the possibility of a second year pending funding availability) positions. Candidates for the positions will be recent PhD graduates or those with similar experience who are interested in a one-two year research position with opportunities for mentorship, publication, and other professional development that may be similar to other postdoctoral fellowship opportunities. We seek individuals with a commitment to sexual and reproductive health, rights, and justice, with experience and expertise building and maintaining principled partnerships. Individuals should have experience managing multi-partner projects, as well as a strong quantitative research background and exposure to qualitative research methods and analyses. Associate (or Senior Associate) Research Fellow will take a leadership role on study teams that generate rigorous evidence to contribute to the public dialogue around abortion access in the US. A competitive candidate for this position will have experience in research management across a diversity of geographic contexts, overseeing multiple projects simultaneously, conducting quantitative and qualitative analyses, and communicating research findings to a range of audiences. At Ibis, studies are conducted in partnership with a variety of interest holders and use various research methodologies and frameworks, inclusive of quantitative and qualitative methods and health disparity frameworks. The person in this position will be involved in all aspects of the research: from design through to dissemination. Associate (or Senior Associate) Research Fellows are responsible for coordinating research portfolios, supervising project staff, managing budgets, building and strengthening project partnerships, and contributing to grant-writing, donor reporting, and study design, and academic publication. Associate (or Senior Associate) Research Fellows will have opportunities for mentorship during their tenure, will have the opportunity to attend at least one conference relevant to their portfolio of work, and will represent Ibis in professional settings, the media, and policy discussions. Associate (or Senior Associate) Research Fellows should expect to travel up to 25% time. Qualifications and requirements: Six or more years of work experience and/or education (advanced relevant degree such as master’s or doctorate) in the fields of public health, demography, epidemiology, or related field. Experience managing quantitative and/or qualitative studies with demonstrated leadership in recruitment, data collection, and analysis. Ability to manage multiple responsibilities on a range of concurrent projects with attention to detail, flexibility, and creativity. Quantitative training and applied experience conducting statistical analysis, survey research, data collection and reporting using analytic software such as STATA or R. Experience merging, structuring, and analyzing large datasets. Demonstrated interest in and experience with research in sexual and reproductive health, rights, and/or justice, preferably with exposure to research on trans health, abortion, and/or contraception. Ability to make and carry out analytic decisions independently, and to seek input when needed. Experience with staff management and supervision. Experience with and enthusiasm to lead collaborative research teams in a range of settings. Ability to make and carry out strategic decisions independently, and to seek input when needed. Excellent scientific writing skills. Preferences: We recognize that strong candidates may not have every qualification listed here, and encourage applications from individuals who bring passion, skills and experience in one or more of these areas. Experience with qualitative research and exposure to qualitative analysis software such as Atlas.ti or Dedoose or MAXQDA. Experience working with community-based and advocacy organizations to translate research results for a range of diverse audiences. Publication track record in peer-reviewed journals. In addition, to help ensure needed perspectives and expertise on our research teams, we particularly welcome applicants who are Black, Indigenous, and people of color, and candidates who are transgender and gender-diverse. Scope of Work Fellowship 1: The person in this position will work with teams who are examining the use, integration, and impact of technology/telehealth in sexual and reproductive health services, including counseling, prescription access, follow-up care, and digital self-management tools. The portfolio of telehealth work focuses on assessing service quality, user experience, legal and regulatory constraints, and the impact of telehealth on access—particularly for populations facing geographic, financial, or social barriers. In addition, the person in this position will also work with teams who are examining the extent to which insurance coverage of abortion impacts access and provision of services, including: examining the experience of abortion seekers and providers in states that use their own funds to cover abortion, understanding the impact of insurance reimbursement for abortion, examining the financial impacts of out-of-pocket costs, understanding the impact of financial and logistical supports on the abortion experience, and documenting the abortion experience of populations who may be prohibited from using insurance to cover their abortion. Fellowship 2: The person in this position will contribute to two of Ibis's research portfolios on sexual and reproductive health (SRH). The first is a multi-phase, multi-partner project examining the SRH needs, preferences, and experiences of transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) individuals in the United States, who face significant barriers to care including discrimination, denials of care, and limited provider knowledge. This work examines perceived versus actual risk of unintended pregnancy among TGD populations, identifies barriers and facilitators to accessing SRH services, and describes needs and preferences for contraception and abortion care—with findings translated into community-informed patient education materials and clinical care guidelines for gender-affirming SRH care. The second is the MORE Study, a randomized clinical trial comparing abortion completion, side effects, and patient experiences between a misoprostol-only medication abortion regimen and the standard combined regimen (mifepristone followed by misoprostol), generating rigorous evidence that providers need to confidently prescribe and counsel patients on both options, especially as mifepristone access faces ongoing legal and regulatory threats in the United States. At Ibis, studies are conducted in partnership with a variety of interest holders and use various research methodologies and frameworks, inclusive of quantitative and qualitative methods and health disparity frameworks. The person in this position will be involved in all aspects of the research: from design through to dissemination. Salary: The starting salary range for these positions will be $90,000-96,000. Start date: Positions starts as soon as they are filled. The position is open to remote or hybrid. End date: One-year following the date of hire, with the possibility of a second year based on funding availability. These are temporary research fellowship position tied directly to the availability of project funds. Ibis is committed to supporting professional development and transition planning during the tenure of these roles. Benefits: Medical insurance, with most of the premium paid by Ibis; dental, disability, and life insurances; paid sick leave; a 403(b) retirement savings plan with employer contributions after the first year; four weeks of vacation per year; transit benefits; and professional development opportunities. Deadline for applications: Applications received before July 10th, 2026 will receive priority. Ibis is an equal opportunity employer. Ibis seeks to build and maintain a diverse and inclusive workplace; we encourage applications from Black people, Indigenous people, people of color, women, people who identify as transgender, non-binary, or gender expansive, young people, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, first-generation college graduates, those from communities with the most to gain from expanded access to sexual and reproductive health services and information, and people from other underrepresented communities.