Opportunities

Student Opportunities

Student involvement in the lab is limited and contingent on ongoing capacity. Opportunities may arise periodically, and we encourage interested students to check back for specific openings as they become available.

Undergraduate Research Assistant, GeoAI for Lead Smelting Sites (Project Unleaded)

Project Unleaded is seeking a motivated undergraduate research assistant to support the GeoAI for Lead Smelting Sites project, part of the broader Project Unleaded initiative at Stanford. This project focuses on developing remote sensing and machine learning approaches to identify and monitor informal lead smelting activities—a major source of environmental lead pollution in South Asia.

Role Overview: The research assistant will contribute to building a high-quality, verified database of lead smelting sites. This work involves investigative geospatial analysis, including tracing, validating, and correcting geolocations of field-identified sites using tools such as Google Earth and other online mapping resources.

Key Responsibilities:

• Verify and refine geographic coordinates of known lead smelting sites
• Cross-check locations using satellite imagery and contextual clues
• Document discrepancies and update records systematically
• Assist in organizing and maintaining a structured geospatial dataset

Desired Qualifications:

• Strong attention to detail and curiosity for investigative work
• Interest in environmental issues, remote sensing, or geospatial analysis
• Comfort working with maps and satellite imagery (prior experience is a plus but not required)
• Ability to work independently and maintain organized records 

Logistics:

• Duration: Starting immediately for the quarter (based on mutual agreement)
• Time commitment: ~10 hours per week
• Compensation: Research credit or hourly compensation

This is a great opportunity for students interested in applying geospatial tools to real-world environmental and public health challenges.

To apply or learn more, please contact Garima Jain at garimaj@stanford.edu

Applied Scientific Researcher, Project Unleaded

Project Unleaded is seeking an Applied Scientific Researcher to support and advance research to identify and prioritize the most important sources of lead poisoning globally, develop and test interdisciplinary interventions to mitigate and eliminate these sources, and advance field-appropriate rapid measurement techniques to detect lead in humans and the environment. The Applied Scientific Researcher will oversee the development and application of lead detection methods for a range of media, from contaminated consumer products to environmental samples like air, dust, and soil. The Applied Scientific Researcher will work closely with the Director while operating in a multidisciplinary, collaborative environment. The work will have broad scientific and public health impact in the field of environmental health. The successful candidate will be highly independent, organized, enthusiastic, and a motivated problem solver, who enjoys working in a collaborative, interdisciplinary environment.

Responsibilities will include:

• Develop and adapt protocols for environmental sampling, analysis, and related survey instruments in collaboration with the Director, drawing on prior literature and local context in LMICs.
• Develop and adapt field and laboratory techniques for elemental and isotopic characterization of samples, including procedures for XRF, ICP-MS, ICP-OES, and colorimetric methods.
• Produce and maintain detailed documentation—including protocols, standard operating procedures, and data dictionaries—to ensure the accuracy, consistency, and traceability of study data.
• Ensure all research documentation aligns with institutional policies, administrative requirements, and compliance standards.
• Develop systems and tools for secure and accurate data storage and management.
• Oversee logistics for environmental and biological sampling, including scheduling, transport, and use of handheld X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analyzers.
• Create and maintain processes for logging, tracking, storing, and inventorying samples both in the field and on campus.
• Maintain organized protocols for laboratory analyses and quality control.
• Oversee end-to-end experimental design, execution, and sample analysis using a range of laboratory techniques, including ICP-MS, ICP-OES, XRF, and colorimetry.
• Write and edit research materials, scientific reports, manuscripts, and summaries of findings for donors, collaborators, and internal planning.
• Proofread and edit drafts, providing feedback on clarity, organization, and presentation.
• Identify new funding opportunities and support proposal development in collaboration with the broader team.
• Contribute to the development of new research collaborations and projects.
• Support capacity-building with partners in low- and middle-income countries.
• Train research assistants, students, and interns on protocols, laboratory methods, and documentation practices.
• Maintain and update a lab manual and training materials for current and future team members.
• Supervise or manage students and interns as needed.

For more information and to apply, please visit the Stanford Careers page.

Research and Program Manager, Project Unleaded

Project Unleaded is hiring for a new Research and Program Manager. Project Unleaded’s efforts began in 2020 and have spanned 6 countries with 7 external partners. Project Unleaded prioritizes policy-relevant research and deep engagement with local partners in affected countries to achieve lasting change. Project Unleaded’s mission is to create a healthier world by addressing lead poisoning at the source. Research priorities center around 3 goals:

1. To identify critical lead exposure sources linked with the human lead burden
2. To develop, test and scale-up interventions to eliminate sources of lead
3. To advance lead detection techniques

Project Unleaded is looking for a flexible, collaborative team member who has the ability to contribute independently as a scientist, manage partnerships and a large research program, support and partner with the Director to develop and lead an exciting new program. The Research and Program Manager will initially take a hands-on role in developing and managing core research activities, including study design, field implementation, and data coordination. As Project Unleaded expands, the position will evolve into a broader role overseeing multiple research initiatives, staff, and strategic partnerships in close partnership with the Director.

The ideal candidate will thrive in both individual contributor and leadership capacities—comfortable rolling up their sleeves to launch complex studies while building the operational and scientific foundation for future team growth. This individual is both strategic and operational—equally able to design study protocols, mentor research staff, and set multi-year research priorities with the Director and other senior leadership. The ideal candidate is highly organized, intellectually curious, and has a passion for translating science into measurable global impact. The person thrives in a fast-paced, collaborative, interdisciplinary and dynamic environment where priorities can shift regularly to support the broader team’s goals.

Responsibilities will include:  

• Partner with the Director to define strategic research priorities and translate the program’s vision into action, ensuring alignment across projects and teams.
• Lead and oversee multi-site, interdisciplinary research studies—initially a large longitudinal cohort study in Pakistan identifying key sources of lead exposure among women and children.
• Manage 1-2 large international subawards (up to $1 million each) to partners in Pakistan, and later in other low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Ensure partner performance, fiscal responsibility, and impact through proactive communication, deliverable tracking, and budget oversight.
• Supervise the design and implementation of study protocols, survey instruments, and sampling strategies; ensure compliance with IRB, data governance, and international regulatory standards.
• Manage scientific operations, including field logistics, procurement, staffing, training, and quality assurance across study sites.
• Oversee day-to-day program operations in close coordination with the Director, establishing management systems and identifying opportunities for process improvement.
• Develop and implement program management tools and knowledge-sharing platforms to enhance coordination and communication across Project Unleaded teams and partners.
• Maintain program-level budgets, timelines, and deliverables; monitor progress and ensure accountability across research teams.
• Collaborate with biostatisticians and data scientists to interpret and integrate findings from environmental, biomonitoring, and epidemiologic data.
• Build and nurture partnerships with government agencies, academic collaborators, NGOs, and community stakeholders to enhance the program’s scientific and policy impact.
• Lead or contribute to grant writing, fundraising, and donor reporting activities to support the long-term sustainability of the research portfolio.
• Oversee preparation of peer-reviewed publications, technical reports, and public communication materials for both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Provide mentorship and professional development to junior researchers and field teams.
• As the program grows, work with the Director to develop staffing plans; lead hiring, onboarding, mentoring, performance management, and professional development. May directly supervise 1-2 full-time staff, graduate students, and 1-2 part-time/contingent workers with specialized skills.

For more information and to apply, please visit the Stanford Careers page. 

Postdoctoral Fellow, Electrification for Health

The Stanford Electrification for Health program, based at the Stanford Center for Human and Planetary Health (HPH), is pleased to offer an exciting opportunity for a postdoctoral fellow interested in advancing interdisciplinary research and making an impact on human health and the environment. The mission of the new Electrification for Health program is to improve health through clean electric systems that reduce air pollution indoors and outdoors and meet people’s energy needs.

Evidence of the health effects of ultrafine particulate matter (UFPM) are growing. The Stanford Medical School (the Luby lab), Doerr School of Sustainability (the Jackson lab), and School of Engineering (Boies lab) are hiring a full-time postdoctoral scientist to study the epidemiology of UFPM, including interactions with other gaseous pollutants from gas stoves and home appliances. The studies will build upon Stanford medical expertise with unique capabilities to quantify UFPM and other pollutants in hundreds of homes and buildings globally. The postdoc will contribute to policy-oriented research that will pave the way for both technical measurements and epidemiologic evidence and dose-response studies. 

More information and application instructions here.

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