The Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal) is a cutting-edge institute addressing global public health challenges through research, translation into policy and education. ISGlobal has a broad portfolio in communicable and non-communicable diseases including environmental and climate determinants, and applies a multidisciplinary scientific approach ranging from the molecular to the population level. Research is organized in the following main areas: Climate, Air Pollution, Nature and Urban Health; Environment and Health over the Lifecourse; Global Viral and Bacterial Infections; Malaria and Neglected Parasitic Diseases; Maternal, Child and Reproductive Health. ISGlobal is accredited with the Severo Ochoa distinction (received the first accreditation in 2019 and renewed it in 2024), a seal of excellence of the Spanish Science Ministry.

What We Are Looking for:
In the framework of the ISGlobal “Centre of Excellence Severo Ochoa 2024-2028 Programme” (CEX2023-0001290-S) from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation, and the Spanish Research State Agency (MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033), ISGlobal is seeking a motivated and dedicated postdoctoral researcher to join our team in a participatory research project focused on the health impacts of heat on agricultural migrant workers.

The postdoctoral researcher will be based in the research group of Dr. Ana Requena, with co-supervision from Dr. Xavier Basagaña and Dr. Michelle Turner. They will conduct research in the framework of vulnerable populations and occupational health, including of migrant workers, climate change and occupational heat exposure in national and international projects with a focus on participatory research and co-creation methods.

The Science and Society group collaborates with ISGlobal research groups to incorporate participatory methodologies into healthcare provision and health-related research areas. Being a collaborative and transversal group within the ISGlobal institution, we promote co-creation and patient and public involvement in health research through the active participation of patients, caregivers, and citizens to achieve a more collaborative science that better responds to the needs of our society that will help to co-create research with a more inclusive and holistic vision. In this regard, besides strengthening the capacity of ISGlobal research groups and also other scientists to carry out high quality participatory research, we are developing research and innovation projects to produce knowledge and innovation that is useful for societies.

Climate change has led to an increase in global average temperatures and an increase in the frequency and duration of heat waves. Prolonged exposure to heat can lead to heat stress, referring to the heat received exceeding the level that the human body can tolerate without physical impairment. People working in sectors with high levels of heat exposure are at high risk of experiencing occupational heat stress, with outdoor workers being most vulnerable. Occupational heat stress causes heat-related illnesses (HRI), ranging from dizziness, heat strain or heat exhaustion to more severe forms such as heat stroke, kidney disease, cardiovascular disease, and psychological problems. In addition, it decreases productivity, increases the rate of occupational accidents or injuries, and can lead to death.

Migrants may be at increased risk for HRI. Several factors such as irregular migratory status, low education levels and high economic needs force migrants to accept low-paid jobs under unfavourable conditions that could negatively impact their health. In addition, limited control over workplace conditions and language and cultural barriers could further increase vulnerability to occupational injuries and diseases, including HRI. Research on temporary migrant workers in Spain shows that, in addition, they also often live in precarious living situations and are vulnerable to exploitation.
During the summer of 2022, the hottest season on record in Europe, Spain was the European country with the second highest summer heat-related mortality with 11,324 recorded deaths in the general population. The incidence of HRI in the general population in Spain is not available and hard to estimate as people often do not seek care for milder symptoms.

Within this context, the objectives of this postdoctoral position are:
1. To work closely with migrant outdoor workers in Spain to understand current concerns regarding occupational heat exposure and to co-design priorities for multi-level intervention, using a gender perspective as well as a participatory research approach;
2. To collect a range of personal occupational and environmental exposome data, including heat exposure, and associated mental and physical health outcomes.
3. To evaluate interventions in terms of exposure, health parameters, and compliance.

In addition to the core research activities, the successful candidate will also play a critical role in the following activities:
● Community Engagement and Trust Building: Clearly explain the project to agricultural migrant workers and create a supportive community. Building trust is paramount, enabling active and meaningful engagement.
● Stakeholder Mapping and Alliances: Perform stakeholder mapping to identify and establish alliances with relevant civil society organizations, strengthening the project's impact and ensuring sustainability.
● Citizen Scientist Coordination: Recruit and train migrant workers as citizen scientists, equipping them with wearable devices to monitor health parameters, occupational and environmental exposures. This hands-on involvement will empower the workers and ensure data relevance and accuracy.
● Result Presentation Sessions: Organize regular sessions to present interim results to the participants, fostering transparency and continuous feedback.
● Co-Creation Sessions: Conduct co-creation sessions to discuss the needs and priorities of the workers, using a gender perspective and a participatory research lens. Ensure the voices of all workers, regardless of gender, are heard and considered. These sessions that will discuss needs and challenges will help orient future research to better respond to the specific needs of this population.
● Ethical Responsiveness: During these sessions, operational issues that require further research might be identified. The capacity to address some of these issues directly or collaborate with competent organizations to act will be assessed. By doing so, the project adheres to the mutual benefit bioethical principles, which is of great importance, especially when working with migrant and vulnerable populations. This will increase the relevance of the current study and guide the development of future research projects.

By integrating these participatory methodologies, the postdoctoral researcher will co-create new interventions or improve existing policies, evaluate their effectiveness, and ensure that the priorities and needs of the migrant workers are at the forefront of our research endeavors.
The postdoctoral researcher will oversee day-to-day operations of the research project and will report directly to Dr. Requena. The postdoc will coordinate the field work and implementation of the study design, will lead regular project meetings and work on data management, analysis, and manuscript preparation.

In addition, the postdoctoral researcher will have the opportunity to collaborate in other projects of participatory research led by other PIs in ISGlobal.
The postdoctoral researcher will also have opportunities for mentorship in career development, research methodology, teaching, and grant writing, and will be encouraged to develop their own career development award applications.

This position will be supported by funding from the “Centro de Excelencia Severo Ochoa 2024-2028” Program (CEX 2023-0001290-S) from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation, and the Spanish Research State Agency (MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033).