Job Overview
Title: Cummings Foundation Professor of Global Health Equity
School: Harvard Medical School
Department/Area: Global Health and Social Medicine
Position Description: The Department of Global Health and Social Medicine (GHSM) at Harvard Medical School is an interdisciplinary department. Using methodologies from the social sciences, humanities, and quantitative sciences, our faculty teach and conduct research on health and illness, health care delivery, global health equity, and the professional culture of medicine. We are concerned with historical, social, and cultural antecedents and drivers of health care, poverty, and other adversities, their interconnectedness with disease, and the ethical dimensions that arise in the practice of medicine and care-delivery today.
GHSM is seeking candidates for the first Cummings Professor in Global Health Equity. Candidates will be considered for a tenured professorship as part of the review process. The candidate will have a robust research record to catalyze the development and understanding of equitable health systems that improve health care delivery to underserved populations in sub-Saharan Africa. The ideal candidate should demonstrate (1) scholarly excellence in global health research; (2) expertise in disciplines relevant to global health equity; (3) commitments to advancing health equity and training medical students, undergraduates, and postdocs as the next generation of global health leaders; (4) strong, ongoing records of research funding and publication in peer-reviewed publications; (5) collaborative roles in international research; (6) administrative leadership experience; and (7) in-depth experience in sub-Saharan Africa.
This position would spend a significant portion (at least 0.25FTE) of effort leading the Paul Farmer Collaborative, a ten-year educational partnership between Harvard Medical School and the University of Global Health Equity that began in 2024. In addition, the Cummings Professor would continue their leadership role in global health research and would commit to teaching medical students and graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and collaborators from implementing partner organizations. The position is based in Boston and would require spending time in Rwanda to support the Paul Farmer Collaborative. Finally, the Cummings Professor would participate in the Department of Global Health and Social Medicine executive committee and contribute to departmental activities.
Applications must be received by November 1, 2026.
Basic Qualifications: A doctoral degree (MD or equivalent, PhD or equivalent), or MD/PhD (or equivalent) degree. Expertise in a field relevant to global health and social medicine that would enhance or complement current disciplinary strength in the department, i.e., anthropology, epidemiology, history, sociology, and/or study of global health delivery for infectious, noncommunicable, oncological, psychiatric/psychological, or surgical diseases. Significant experience working in sub-Saharan Africa.
Required Documents: Cover Letter, Curriculum Vitae, Statement of Research, Statement of Teaching Philosophy, Authorization to Release Information, Publication.
Contact Email: rgrow@hms.harvard.edu
Salary Range: Salary is highly competitive and commensurate with experience. The minimum starting salary is $230,000, with the potential for a higher offer based on candidates' qualifications and experience.