"Medical Humanities Research Institute Post-Baccalaureate Fellow"

Special Instructions to Applicants:

This is a benefits-eligible, part-time, 20 hours a week position, with the anticipated appointment dates June 1, 2026 to May 31, 2027.

All interested applicants should attach a resume, cover letter, and unofficial transcript in the Supporting Documents section of the application, preferably in a PDF format to avoid any formatting issues. The resume should include the contact information for three references who would be willing to speak about your research, medical humanities, and/or work experience. At least two references should be Rice University faculty.

About Rice:

Boasting a 300-acre tree-lined campus in Houston, Texas, Rice University is ranked among the nation's top 20 universities by U.S. News & World Report. Rice has a 6-to-1 undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio, and a residential college system, which supports students intellectually, emotionally and culturally through social events, intramural sports, student plays, lectures series, courses and student government. Developing close-knit, diverse college communities is a strong campus tradition, which is why Rice is highly ranked for best quality of life and best value among private universities.

Rice is also a wonderful place to work. Rice faculty, staff and students share values that are essential to our success as a healthy community. Those values guide our decisions and behaviors and shape Rice's culture. They come through in the way we treat each other and the welcome we extend to our visitors. These values can be recalled simply by our name -- RICE -- Responsibility, Integrity, Community and Excellence.

Position Summary:
The Medical Humanities Research Institute (MHRI), launched in Fall 2023, was created to transform how researchers, health professionals, and policymakers think about and practice health care. We have transformed the international landscape in this emerging field, establishing Rice as a global leader at the forefront of innovation in humanistic healthcare research. Our unique strength in translational medical humanities research on health data and technology design has been recognized worldwide.

MHRI builds on the strengths of our undergraduate Medical Humanities Program, an interdisciplinary minor housed in the School of Humanities and Arts at Rice University. Medical humanities is the study of the social, cultural, ethical, and historical dimensions of how doctors, patients, and communities understand the lived experience of health and disease.

The Medical Humanities Research Institute Post-Baccalaureate Fellow will work on current collaborative medical humanities research projects as well as the development of new research projects. The Fellow is primarily responsible for supporting research through humanities-based methods, conducting interviews, collecting data, performing interpretation, proofreading and editing published written work, and drafting abstracts, articles, reports, newsletters, presentations, social media and blog posts, and other publications. In addition, they will assist in project management responsibilities and ensure comprehensive documentation for project longevity. The Fellow will interact with the Rice community, TMC clinicians, and other external stakeholders for research collaborations as well as promotion and dissemination of findings.

Ideal Candidate Statement:
The ideal candidate will have graduated from Rice University between 2024-2026 with a minor in medical humanities. The ideal candidate should demonstrate strong humanities-based research skills and experience in collaborative research projects, preferably in the medical humanities field. Demonstrated ability to work in an organized, detailed, and collaborative manner is important.

Workplace Requirements:
This position is a part-time, in-person role (20 hours during the workweek, Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.), with occasional early morning, evening, or weekend work for special events. The position is located in TMC Helix Park with occasional work on the Rice campus and other venues in the Texas Medical Center. Per Rice policy 440, work arrangements may be subject to change. This position is funded by a grant, soft and/or restricted funds for one year.

Hiring Range: $21.64/hour (20 hours a week)
*Non-Exempt (hourly) positions under FLSA are eligible for overtime.

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in humanities, social sciences, or related field, preferably with a minor in medical humanities
• 1+ year(s) of related experience (can be gained during education or internship)
  • In lieu of the experience requirement, additional related education, above and beyond what is required, on an equivalent year-for-year basis may be substituted

Skills:

• Knowledge of Microsoft Office software
• Strong analytical and qualitative research skills
• Ability to develop reports
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including proofreading
• Strong presentation skills

Preferences:

• Rice graduate with a Medical Humanities minor

Essential Functions:

• Participates in the design, planning, and implementation of research projects
• Identifies, locates, and obtains data/information
• Conducts interviews, takes notes, and records data
• Completes information interpretation
• Reports research findings
• Ensures information presented is valid and accurate
• Develops presentations and reports
• Performs all other duties as assigned