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Law and Policy Analyst – Center for Public Health
Law Research
Job Description
The Center for Public Health Law Research (CPHLR or Center) is housed at Temple University’s
Beasley School of Law and supports the widespread adoption of scientific tools and methods for mapping
and evaluating the impact of law on health. CPHLR is seeking applications for a Law and Policy Analyst.
The Law and Policy Analyst reports to the Center’s Research and Operations Director, while working
closely with a dynamic team of lawyers and public policy professionals dedicated to using law to improve
public health and advance health equity nationally and globally. The Law and Policy Analyst will be
primarily responsible for contributing to scientific legal mapping projects by researching and analyzing
statutory and regulatory laws and policies across emerging public health topics. This position requires
exceptional attention to detail, excellent research and writing skills, the ability to handle multiple
competing deadlines, the proven ability to analyze, synthesize and translate research findings for diverse
audiences, and the ability to contribute to publications and presentations on the Center’s work. Training
on the Center’s scientific legal mapping methods and coding software platform, MonQcle, will be
provided to the Law and Policy Analyst.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF POSITION
Legal Research
• Conducts federal, state, and local law and policy research, including statutes, regulations, and
case law
• Conducts international and comparative law and policy research
• Conducts historical legal and policy research
• Researches and synthesizes complex legal issues on a wide variety of public health law topics
• Drafts background memorandums summarizing the legal and policy landscape
Legal Dataset Creation
• Works in a collaborative team-based setting across multiple projects and deadlines
• Collaborates with external clients and colleagues on dataset creation
• Participates in all phases of legal mapping dataset creation, including scope conceptualization and
refinement, coding the law, quality control, publication, and dissemination
• Uses MonQcle software to build and code legal datasets
• Drafts publication materials such as research protocols and policy briefs to accompany datasets
• Works with intern cohorts
Research Dissemination, Scholarship, and Grant Writing
• Contributes to writing grants
• Drafts white papers, issue briefs, blog posts, and other scholarly publications
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• Analyzes and summarizes research findings for translation
• Submits conference abstracts and attends professional conferences
• Conducts trainings and presentations on the organization’s work
• Reviews social science and public health research
OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
• Coordinates with partially and fully remote staff
• Participates in project team and all staff meetings
QUALIFICATIONS
• JD degree and at least two (2) years of relevant post-graduate research experience
• Preferred: 1+ years of public health law experience
• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered. Research shows that
individuals identifying as women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs if they do not
meet all listed qualifications. CPHLR is dedicated to equity, diversity, and inclusion, so we
encourage all applicants who are excited about this role to apply.
ADDITIONAL REQUIRED SKILLS AND ABILITIES
• Proficiency in using legal research databases including Lexis, Westlaw, and HeinOnline
• Strong organizational skills
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team
• Ability to collaborate with stakeholders across multiple disciplines and sectors
• Ability to problem solve analytically and think critically
• Ability to maintain professionalism and respect towards others
• Proven interest in public health law and developing legal expertise in a particular policy area
• Demonstrated understanding of how public health is affected by systemic racial, economic, and
social inequities
• Demonstrated commitment to advancing health equity
• Demonstrated commitment to a diverse and inclusive work environment and to centering
diversity and equity in executing key responsibilities
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills
• Proficiency with Excel, PowerPoint, Word, OneDrive, Slack and web interfaces
• Proficiency with standard office equipment, such as computer, telephone, fax, and scanner
• Demonstrated ability to work with and adapt to new technologies
• Preferred: grant writing experience
SALARY, HOURS, AND LOCATION
This is a full-time, fully grant-funded position starting at $61,000. The Law and Policy Analyst position is
a T-27 salary grade and benefits level
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This is currently a hybrid position, which is mostly remote, but may require that the selected candidate
report to the CPHLR office at the Beasley School of Law, Temple University in Philadelphia, PA a few
times a year, as needed. There is permanent CPHLR office space available at Temple University if
working on campus is preferred.
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About CPHLR
The CPHLR team works by developing and teaching legal epidemiology methods; by researching laws
and policies that influence health to support policy development and enactment; and by communicating
and disseminating evidence to facilitate innovation. CPHLR has been a national leader in the
development of legal epidemiology since 2009. From the start, the Center’s work, and the concept of
legal epidemiology were carefully designed to reach governmental and non-governmental leaders who
make decisions in public health, to foster transdisciplinary engagement to advance the use of empirical
legal evidence in public health policy, and to work through transdisciplinary partnerships.
Recent Center projects have covered a wide range of public health policy topics, including drug policy,
reproductive and sexual health, housing, and preemption, all of which can be viewed on the Center’s two
flagship data websites: LawAtlas.org and PDAPS.org. CPHLR is fully grant-funded by multiple sources,
including the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, World Health Organization, Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention, National Institutes of Health, Pew Charitable Trusts, and Foundation for Opioid
Response Efforts. CPHLR’s work is grounded in its core values of collaboration; equity, diversity and
inclusion; ethics and integrity; and innovation.
COLLABORATORS
CPHLR’s transdisciplinary partnerships have included collaboration with Temple College of Public
Health, American Public Health Association, National League of Cities, and Office of Veterans Affairs.
This is in addition to a range of subject matter experts, including academics, public health professionals at
federal, state, and local levels, and legal services providers.
FUNDERS
The Center has worked with more than 60 funders and sponsor agencies. In addition to those listed above,
CPHLR’s funders include the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials, Boston University,
Brown University, de Beaumont Foundation, International Aids Society, Legal Services Corporation,
National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Network of Public Health Institutes, National Science
Foundation, New York University, Office of Nursing Services via Department of Veterans Affairs,
Pennsylvania Department of Health, Quest Diagnostics, Society of Family Planning, Stanford University,
TIME’S UP Foundation, United Nations Development Programme, and University of Michigan.
PROJECTS
Since 2011, we have built over 125 empirical legal datasets, including large complex federal, state, local,
and sub-local level datasets on a variety of topics. These datasets cover COVID-era changes in state
public health law, abortion regulations, electronic cigarette laws, recreational marijuana, Good Samaritan
laws, syringe service program laws, medications for opioid use disorder, Ban the Box, income support
programs, eviction laws, landlord-tenant laws, and state preemption laws related to rent control, paid sick
leave and firearms, in addition to a variety of other public health topics.
OUTREACH
CPHLR uses training and technical assistance on policy surveillance and legal epidemiology theory and
methods to reach, influence and enable policy stakeholders to identify and deploy healthy policies. The
Center has trained more than 3,500 individuals in scientific legal mapping (in-person and web-based)
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since developing its policy surveillance webinar training program and Policy Surveillance Institute in
2015. Additionally, CPHLR has produced foundational publications on all aspects of legal epidemiology,
including conceptual frameworks, landscape reviews and research agendas, a research methods textbook,
and a public health law textbook. Finally, our experienced staff is skilled in translating scientific research
for policymaking and practice communities, as well as for the public.
TECHNOLOGY
CPHLR has successfully developed technology tools to support efficient creation and widespread
dissemination of legal data for research and public information. The Center creates legal data products
using MonQcle (Monqcle.com), a scientific legal mapping software platform designed to create cross-
sectional and longitudinal datasets. MonQcle’s interface enables users to organize and analyze legal
research, collaborate with other researchers in real-time, and to share research findings in an engaging and
impactful way.
For more information on CPHLR, please visit its general organization website at PHLR.org.
To Apply
Please apply to this position through Temple University’s Employment Opportunity Website:
https://temple.taleo.net/careersection/tu_ex_staff/jobdetail.ftl?job=24001238&tz=GMT-
07%3A00&tzname=America%2FLos_Angeles
If you have any questions, please email the Director of Research and Operations, Elizabeth Platt at
Elizabeth.platt@temple.edu
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Note: This description incorporates the most typical duties performed. It is recognized that other
related duties not specifically mentioned may also be performed. The inclusion of these duties
would not alter the overall evaluation of this position.
