The Scales of Corporate Harm Lab in the Department of Geography at Penn State University is recruiting a PhD student.

Potential applicants should have interests in one or more of the following: health, economies, and spatial and social analysis. The PhD student will have the opportunity to work on data collection and analysis related to the lab’s current research on: 1 ) understanding the geographies of corporate involvement in the US opioid epidemic, 2) political economies of health disparities and their relation to pharmaceutical company marketing, and 3) the allocation of funds from regional and national legal settlements holding opioid companies accountable for the harms they created. This position will be relevant to students interested in developing their own projects in economic geography, political economy, public health, health geography, or the intersections between these fields – in keeping with the interdisciplinary ethos of Geography as a discipline. Depending on their interests, the successful applicant can gain skills in quantitative AND/OR qualitative methods and analysis, including natural language processing, discourse analysis, conducting interviews, archival research, survey research, and demographic and spatial analysis. There is excellent potential for co-authorship of publications and exposure to policy-relevant research related to SCHLAB’s mission of public impact.

 

Penn State’s Geography Department is an ideal place for interdisciplinary work, providing training tailored to students’ interests.  The department shares close links with Penn State’s Social Science Research Institute, Population Research Institute, Penn State Cancer Institute, Penn State’s NIDA Clinical Trials Network, and the Consortium on Substance Use and Addiction. SCHLAB’s work includes ELEVATE PA, a project in collaboration with the PA Opioid Trust, PA County Commissioners, University of Pittsburgh and Temple University to document and evaluate programming funded from the multistate opioid settlement. Geography PhD students are required to take three classes within the department and are otherwise supported in taking classes in other departments on campus. Penn State has particular strengths in interdisciplinary methods training and research. Penn State, and SCHLAB’s network, also offer myriad opportunities for professional development. Accepted PhD students are funded for four years through a variety of teaching and research assistantships. Summer funding may also be available. The accepted student will be provided with mentorship and support in developing their own publications, conference papers, grants, and other types of professional development. Visit our website for more information.

 

Feel free to contact the lab co-directors, Dr. Emily Rosenman or Dr. Louisa Holmes, if interested, or if you have further questions.

The deadline for applications is 1 December 2024. More information available here.