JOB  DESCRIPTION  –  Research Associate & Writer  
 
Blue  Zones  employs  evidence-­‐based  ways  to  help  people  live  longer,  better.      Our  work  is  rooted  in  the  New  York  
Times  best-­‐selling  books  The  Blue  Zones:    Lessons  for  Living  Longer  from  the  People  Who’ve  Lived  the  Longest  
and  Thrive—both  published  by  National  Geographic  books.    In  2009,  Albert  Lea,  Minnesota  adopted  the  tenets  
of  the  books  and  saw  a  40%  drop  in  health  care  costs.    Currently,  three  California  cities  and  the  state  of  Iowa  
have  retained  our  services  in  creating  population-­‐wide  community  health  programs—a  project  that  impacts  over  
3  million  lives.    We  take  a  systematic,  environmental  approach  to  well-­‐being  which  focuses  on  optimizing  policy,  
building  design,  social  networks,  and  the  built  environment.      Our  work  has  been  featured  in  media  from  Oprah  
to  NPR.  See  www.bluezones.com/press  for  more  press  information.  See  
http://www.bluezones.com/programs/blue-­‐zones-­‐communities/  for  more  information  on  programs.  

GENERAL  DESCRIPTION  
Blue  Zones  is  looking  for  a  smart,  creative,  enthusiastic  and  organized  über  researcher/writer  with  a  relentless  
can-­‐do  attitude,  who  sees  problems  as  hurdles  to  get  around,  leap  over  or  tunnel  underneath.  The  positions  
responsibilities  include  identifying  and  finding  innovative  health,  public  policy,  physical  environment,  and  
lifestyle  research  that  generates  permanent  or  semi-­‐permanent  health  change,  as  well  as  aiding  in  book  
research,  web  writing,  writing  print  ready  copy  for  general  audiences  and  continuous  organizing,  updating,  
maintaining  and  improving  the  company’s  research  archives.  The  Blue  Zones  Research  Associate  and  Writer  
MUST  have  excellent  writing  skills  and  MUST  be  a  creative  problem-­‐solver  with  the  willingness  to  ferret  out  
primary  sources  of  information  while  possessing  an  efficient  command  of  the  Internet  and  academic  databases.    

SUMMARY  OF  JOB  ROLES  AND  RESPONSIBILITIES  

• Curate  and  oversee  all  Blue  Zones  Project  community  projects  research  and  documentation.  

• Create  and  update  content  for  all  Blue  Zones  pledges,  tools  and  checklists  used  to  guide  individuals  and  
community  organizations  in  making  healthy  changes  to  their  environments.  

• Take  the  lead  on  research  for  books  that  focus  on  nutrition  and  evidence-­‐based  ways  to  optimize  
environments.    

• Proactively  develop,  expand  and  update  the  Blue  Zones  archive  of  research  and  programs  and  identify  
opportunities  to  create  or  improve  Blue  Zones  model  or  instruction.  

• Identify  and  communicate  health-­‐improving,  longevity-­‐enhancing,  or  wellbeing-­‐supporting  policies  and  

best  practices.  

• Write  collateral  for  publications,  social  media,  blogs  and  our  website.  

 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
JOB  DESCRIPTION  –  Research Associate & Writer  
 
• Gather  information  from  and  conduct  interviews  with  city  officials,  media  personnel  and  world-­‐
renowned  experts  in  a  variety  of  research  fields.  

• Act  as  a  liaison  between  Blue  Zones  and  collaborators.  

QUALIFICATIONS  

• 2  -­‐4  years  of  research  experience;  a  focus  in  science  or  public  health  is  preferred.    
• Strong  written  communication  skills  with  an  ability  to  write  clearly  for  a  general  audience.    Please  
provide  writing  samples.  
• Self-­‐confidence  necessary  to  contact  and  interview  national  experts.    
• Excellent  organizational  skills  and  the  ability  to  work  independently  with  minimal  supervision.  
• Versatility  and  flexibility.    This  job  is  anything  but  routine.  
• Shares  our  passion  for  health  and  helping  others  live  longer,  better  lives.  
• Energetic,  efficient  and  has  a  voracious  academic  curiosity.  
 
The  following  is  preferred  but  not  required:  

• Experience  as  a  trained  editorial  researcher    

• Firm  grasp  of  statistical  analysis  
• Experience  in  investigative  journalism    
• Public  Health  experience  
• Editing  experience  
• Deep  familiarity  with  public  policy  
• Published  science  writing    
• Project  Management  experience  

SALARY  RANGE:    Commensurate  with  ability  to  contribute.  

OFFICE  LOCATION:    60  South  Sixth  Street,  Suite  2800,  Minneapolis,  MN  55402  
Please  send  a  cover  letter  outlining  how  your  experience  matches  this  position  and  resume  to  Amelia  Clabots:  
amelia@bluezones.com  no  later  then  September  30,  2013.