The Harvard Center for Population and Development Studies is seeking a full-time Research Associate to support ongoing studies of cognitive aging and dementia in South Africa. Our work aims to understand how cognitive function in older age is shaped by biological aging and lifespan social experience. We use a variety of methods to tackle issues related to reliable measurement of cognitive function across countries and cultures. The work is grounded in our ongoing NIH-funded flagship project, Health and Aging in Africa: Longitudinal Studies in South Africa (HAALSA). HAALSA began as a community-based longitudinal cohort study nested within the heath and socio-demographic surveillance system (HDSS) in Agincourt, South Africa. The goal of this research project is to explore aging in South Africa, with focal areas in cognitive health, cardiometabolic disease, HIV and HIV treatment, public policies, social determinants of health, and health inequalities. Research focuses on exploring the interrelationships between: Alzheimer’s Disease and related dementias; physical and cognitive functioning; lifestyle risk factors; household income & expenditure; depression and mental health; social networks and family composition; HIV infection; and cardiometabolic disease.
HAALSA includes the continuation of the Agincourt community cohort study as well as the launch of a nationally representative survey in South Africa. The community and national surveys each include a sub-study with in-depth focus on cognition and dementia. The studies are designed to be aligned with the international Health and Retirement (HRS) sister studies, and the HRS Harmonized Cognitive Assessment Protocol (HCAP), while also addressing research questions specific to aging in the South African context. HAALSA is led by Dr. Lisa Berkman at HCPDS and Dr. Thomas Gaziano at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, plus a team of collaborators at Columbia University, University of the Witwatersrand and the University of Cape Town in South Africa, as well as others.
This is a full-time, benefits-eligible term appointment starting January 2027 through December 31, 2027 with strong possibility of renewal. The salary range is between $80,000–$90,000 annually. The research associate must live locally and agree to work a hybrid schedule (two days/wk in person at the Cambridge office, and 3 days/wk remotely). The job will require travel to South Africa up to twice a year. Candidates are asked to visit the HCPDS websites for more information on our mission and work:
popcenter.harvard.edu and https://haalsi.org/
