Microsoft Cloud Civil Liberties & Health Policy Research Fellow - Law Cordell institute Pol

Position Summary

Location:

ST. LOUIS, MO 63130

The Cordell Institute for Policy in Medicine & Law at WashU seeks a full‑time Microsoft Cloud Civil Liberties and Health Policy Research Fellow for a one‑year term. This position operates in a hybrid work environment and is expected to be based in the St. Louis metropolitan area. The Institute’s mission is to devise solutions to the novel ethical, legal, and policy questions accompanying scientific and technological advancements in healthcare.

It advances interdisciplinary scholarship and practical solutions at the intersection of law, medicine, public health, technology, and governance, with a focus on strengthening accountability, innovation, and public trust.

The Fellow will conduct interdisciplinary legal and policy research that examines the legal, ethical, and governance challenges arising from emerging technologies, data systems, and evolving health policies. Particular attention will be given to issues involving privacy, civil liberties, civil rights, equity, accountability, public trust, and democratic governance in healthcare and related systems.

Under the supervision of the Institute’s executive director and faculty co‑directors, and potentially in coordination with other faculty, departments, and external partners, the Fellow will produce scholarly publications, policy analyses, white papers, reports, and other public‑facing products. The Fellow will define project scopes, deliverables, and research objectives aligned with the Institute’s strategic priorities.

• Designing and managing one or more research projects aligned with the Institute’s strategic priorities.
• Conducting interdisciplinary legal and policy research at the intersection of health, law, technology, governance, and civil liberties.
• Contributing to policy surveillance or legal epidemiology.
• Researching how legal and governance frameworks can promote innovation while protecting privacy, civil liberties, accountability, equity, and public trust.
• Preparing and submitting scholarly articles, policy briefs, white papers, reports, legal analyses, website content, blogs, and op‑eds in a timely manner.
• Presenting research findings and policy analyses to academic, legal, governmental, healthcare, public health, and community audiences.
• Assisting in developing and delivering training, workshops, conferences, and presentations hosted by the Cordell Institute and its partners.
• Supporting interdisciplinary collaborations with faculty, students, clinicians, policymakers, researchers, and external partners.
• Assisting in the planning and execution of Cordell Institute programs and events.
• Contributing to grant‑funded initiatives, partnership development, and dissemination of Institute research and thought leadership.
• Maintaining the highest standards of research integrity, professionalism, and ethical conduct.
• Participating in staff meetings and other Cordell Institute initiatives as assigned.

Base pay is commensurate with experience.

• Ph.D., M.D., or an equivalent terminal or doctoral degree.
• J.D. from an ABA‑accredited law school or completion of all requirements for a J.D. by the fellowship start date.
• Demonstrated interest in health law, health policy, public health law, administrative law, civil liberties, technology law, or related fields.
• Outstanding research, writing, and analytical skills.
• Outstanding oral communication skills and ability to present complex ideas to diverse audiences.
• Strong organizational, project‑management, and time‑management skills.
• Self‑discipline and ability to work independently with minimal day‑to‑day supervision.
• Ability to build and maintain productive working relationships with students, colleagues, community partners, and external stakeholders.
• Ability to synthesize legal, policy, scientific, and technical information into clear and actionable insights.

• Additional advanced degree (e.g., Ph.D., Dr.P.H., M.P.H., M.P.P., M.S., M.A., or equivalent) in public health, public policy, systems science, political science, sociology, economics, data science, international studies, or a…