Field Ethnographer

Columbia University
United States, New York, New York
Aug 07, 2025
Job Type: Officer of Administration Bargaining Unit: Regular/Temporary: Regular End Date if Temporary: Hours Per Week: 35 Standard Work Schedule: Building: Salary Range: $80,000-$80,000 The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, and training. The above hiring range represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting. Position Summary The field ethnographer for Free Time 4 Wellness, an interdisciplinary mixed-methods research project funded by the National Cancer Institute and led by Dr. Lauren Houghton in the Department of Epidemiology, Mailman SPH. FT4W is a randomized controlled trial examining the impact of providing childcare and social support on low-income women's use of exercise classes. The field ethnographer will be co-supervised by Dr. Houghton and by Dr. Jennifer Hirsch in the Department of Sociomedical Sciences, Mailman SPH. Work for researchers on the Free Time 4 Wellness Project Connect with, and collect data from, women participating in Shape Up NY exercise classes at sites around New York City who are enrolled in the Ft4W study. Follow strict note-taking and data-gathering protocols for ethnographic research Analyze qualitative data using Nvivo Explore the individual, interactional, and institutional factors that influence women's participation in exercise classes, with particular attention to intersecting dimensions of social inequality. Responsibilities Conduct immersive ethnographic research (60%) Analyze qualitative data (30%) Other duties as assigned (10%) Minimum Qualifications Bachelor's degree Preferred Qualifications Bilingual (English/Spanish) Previous fieldwork experience and a very strong academic profile Must be able to maintain strict confidentiality Capacity to work some evenings and weekends during the months of data collection. Interest in public health, women's health, or health Master's degree, or working toward doctorate minimum of 2 years related experience Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.