Partnership for Battery Action, Research and Methods Lead

The Research & Methods Lead owns the scientific basis of the Battery Index. You will design and standardize the methodology that determines how recyclers are assessed and classified - and make sure it holds up in the field across contexts and under scrutiny. You will also be supported by the Battery Index Strategy Lead who will manage the strategy of the program, government and partner relationships, and formal output development.Some of the key questions you'll work through in your first year:Air Monitoring: How do you design a lean protocol that accurately captures air pollution from a facility's footprint, while considering wind direction, technology limitations, and recycler idling? How do we creatively design air monitoring strategies that continue to assess factories when they are out of the spotlight? Blood Lead Sampling: How do you design a feasible and reliable community blood lead level assessment strategy? How should we assess worker blood lead levels accurately, safely and in a way that doesn’t adversely affect these workers’ livelihoods? How do we engage with communities to share our learning about their blood lead levels? Classification: How do you weigh facility, air, soil, potentially food crop, and blood data into a classification decision, particularly if the signals are unexpected? What components matter most to our assessment of recycler safety and how can we continuously iterate on the methodology over time in a way that doesn’t negate earlier assessments? Responsibilities include:Air and soil sampling methodology: Refine Pb Action's existing air and soil sampling protocols to balance data reliability with feasible field application - sample sizes, sampling technology, and QA/QC. Determine how to partner with local civil society organizations and government entities to support their capacity-building and mutual learning about ULAB facilities’ lead poisoning.Blood lead level sampling: Define the Battery Index approach to worker and community blood lead sampling, including data reliability, ethical review and informed consent, and community engagement.Assessment analysis and classification: Build a rigorous, standardized process for evaluating sample data and converting multiple data streams into a recommended recycler classification, with final decisions made together with Pb Action leadership.Field execution and training: Manage in-country execution of soil, air, and blood sampling in multiple geographies. Train and oversee enumerators and field consultants, coordinate laboratory analysis, and support execution on the ground.Data systems and documentation: Maintain clean, auditable datasets and clearly documented protocols so the methodology replicates consistently as the Index scales across markets.Research collaboration: Work with the lead pollution research community to identify collaborations, draw in relevant research and technology, and help build the evidence base in a nascent field.