Public Health Law Center is an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. We do not discriminate based on race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, veteran/military status, disability or handicap, age, sexual orientation, status with regard to public assistance, or any other protected class status. Members of marginalized and underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply.

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Research Assistant

The Public Health Law Center is looking for graduate and law school student Research Assistants who have a passion for working for the social good and who share our commitment to continued learning on issues related to racial and social justice and health equity, including the social determinants of health, implicit bias, and systemic oppression.

The Center’s mission is improving health through the power of law and policy. Our belief in health and equity for all people unites our work across three program areas—Commercial Tobacco Control, Healthy Eating/Active Living, and Climate Justice. The Center empowers its partners to reduce and eliminate commercial tobacco, promote healthy food access and food systems, support physical activity, combat climate change, rectify home health hazards, and address other causes of chronic disease to advance racial and health equity. Our partnerships include Tribal health leaders, federal agencies, national health advocacy organizations, state and local governments, planners, researchers, attorneys, community coalitions, and individuals working on public health issues. Our staff includes people with JDs, MPHs, joint JD/MPHs, and planning degrees. Our deep knowledge, thoughtful legal and policy analysis, and individualized approach help our partners create healthier communities around the country.

The Center has openings for part-time or full-time legal Research Assistants to work 15-20 hours per week during the school year and up to 40 hours per week in the summer.  Center staff work remotely, but there may be occasional opportunities for in-person meetings with staff and partners in the Twin Cities area. Research Assistants work with staff attorneys and policy analysts to examine federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and policies; prepare publications, memos and presentations on legal and policy issues; and respond to requests for legal research and other legal technical assistance on questions related to food policy, physical activity policy, transportation, e-cigarettes, commercial tobacco usage, climate change, housing, Tribal public health, and health equity.  Applicants must be currently enrolled in a JD program, or a public health or urban planning graduate program.  Qualified applicants will have excellent research and writing skills, strong interpersonal and critical thinking skills, interest in public health law and policy, and the ability to work independently. This is a good opportunity for students to hone their research and writing skills under the supervision of nationally recognized public health law experts.

 

Please e-mail a cover letter describing your interest in and experience relevant to the position, as well as a resume, and writing sample to Jon Lee,  (jon.lee@mitchellhamline.edu). Also, please indicate your preferred area of work, if any, among the Commercial Tobacco Control, Healthy Eating/Active Living, and Climate Justice teams. Although these are not exclusively work-study positions, please note your work study eligibility in your application e-mail and your cover letter. This position pays between $14.50 and $16.50 per hour depending on year of study.

 

Mitchell Hamline School of Law is an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. We do not discriminate based on race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, veteran/military status, disability or handicap, age, sexual orientation, status with regard to public assistance, or any other protected class status. Members of marginalized and underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply.