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Open Rank Faculty Position: Assistant Professor / Associate Professor / Professor (Health and Human Rights)

Columbia University
United States, New York, New York
535 West 116th Street (Show on map)
Feb 04, 2026

The Heilbrunn Department of Population and Family Health (HDPFH) at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health is a vibrant and interdisciplinary department comprising of faculty, scientists, thought leaders, and practitioners from the fields of public health, epidemiology, demography, social work, medicine, economics, and law. We apply multidisciplinary population science and public health research methods to address critical domestic and global challenges, including sexual and reproductive health rights, forced migration, child and adolescent health, maternal and newborn health, mental health, environmental justice, human rights, and complex health systems. The Department's current research portfolio totals $21 million in multi-year committed awards from private foundations and federal funding sources, internal grants, service agreements and gifts to support both international and U.S. based research, service, and program. The Department works to shift global health policy and practice to improve health systems and health outcomes for populations in low-income, unstable, or inequitable environments worldwide. Faculty in this largely grant-funded department engage in a unique combination of research, teaching and service activities. Graduates of the Department pursue careers as research scientists, non-profit leaders, and public health practitioners and evaluators who actively contribute to scientific developments and assume important academic posts and public health leadership globally.

The HDPFH is recruiting for a candidate with experience in health and human rights. The successful applicant will build an independent research portfolio with strong scholarly contributions, secure external research funding, and gain national and international recognition at the intersection of global public health and international human rights law and practice. We seek candidates who will help to further develop the Department and School's research, educational, and policy agenda. The individual will be encouraged to collaborate across disciplines and departments within the School and the University. We seek candidates who will conceptualize research, identify funding sources, prepare proposals, establish research collaborations, and carry out funded projects.

The incumbent will add to the health and human rights expertise of the Department and serve in several key roles in research, coursework and student programming. It is expected that the successful candidate will teach one or more departmental courses including a course on health and human rights advocacy. The incumbent will also mentor students and actively engage in the academic life of the Department, including student advising and committee membership. A demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with faculty, students, community organizations and other external partners is critical to this position. The position includes the opportunity to lead the Department's advanced certificate program on health and human rights.

Salary and academic rank will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. The selected candidate will receive an academic appointment, as non-tenured or tenure track, commensurate with credentials and qualifications.

Minimum Degree Required:



  • Requires a PhD, MD, JD or professional equivalent.
  • A doctoral degree in public health, law, psychology, social science, social work, education, nursing, medicine, or a related field is required.


Minimum Qualifications:



  • Academic experience commensurate with Assistant/Associate/Professor rank.
  • Strong teaching, presentation and writing skills.
  • Successful applicants have a well-developed independent research portfolio, including scholarly contributions to academic literature, a track record of successful externally funded research, and recognition in their area of expertise in population science and health.
  • Ability and willingness to contribute to the development of the Department's and School's research, education, and policy agenda related to diversity, equity and inclusion. This includes conceptualizing research, identifying funding sources, preparing proposals, establishing research collaborations and carrying out funded projects.
  • A strong research background and a robust record of peer-reviewed scholarship addressing the intersections of public health, human rights law, and rights-based practice.


Preferred Qualifications:



  • Proven experience in developing or managing government or privately funded grants. Demonstrated experience of independently attracting NIH grants is advantageous.
  • Demonstrated research experience examining the intersections of global public health and international human rights law, including empirical, legal, or policy-focused scholarship.
  • Previous experience coordinating or holding a leadership role within an academic institution.
  • Experience of leading and conducting research projects across scientific disciplines and translating findings into actionable programmatic and policy recommendations.
  • Field experience in organizations that contribute to advancing and improving health and human rights is highly desirable.

Columbia University is an Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Pay Transparency Disclosure

The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, and training. The above hiring range represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.

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