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How to Apply

Candidates interested in this position as a Post-Doctoral Research Fellow should submit a single PDF file including their CV and a cover letter describing their research interests and qualifications.

Job Summary

The Research Center for Group Dynamics (RCGD) in the Institute for Social Research (ISR) at the University of Michigan invites applications for a full-time position of Post-Doctoral Research Fellow to begin September 1, 2025. The Post-Doctoral Research Fellow will be a part of the National Survey of American Life (NSAL) with a goal to examine psychosocial risk and protective factors for cognitive functioning among middle-aged and older adults.  The team will leverage partnerships with minority health and aging centers and programs and establish a track record of collaborating with and mentoring under-represented scholars to create a high-impact scientific resource that will be available to researchers around the world.

Responsibilities*

In collaboration with the project's multiple principal investigators (MPIs), the Post-Doctoral Research Fellow will contribute to the scientific aims of NSAL, including but not limited to:

Assisting the MPIs and Project Director on all aspects of fieldwork for the 20-year follow-up of the NSAL, including refinement of data collection procedures (e.g. recruitment messaging, survey questionnaire, informed consent documents), re-linking data with the National Death Index (NDI) and geographically-labeled external datasets, meeting with community advisory board members, and reidentifying/recontacting participants;Analyzing data from NSAL, including existing data linkages to the NDI and geographically-labeled external datasets.Preparing tables and data visualizations and writing manuscripts for peer-reviewed publications from these data;Participating in collaborative team meetings, including presenting preliminary results, proposing new analyses, and brainstorming solutions to challenges that may arise regarding fieldwork procedures and processes;Mentoring trainees working on the project in study design, research methods, scientific writing, and team science.Required Qualifications*PhD in epidemiology, statistics, quantitative psychology or a related field at the time of appointment.Experience working with complex survey data.Highly proficient in R, SAS, and/or STATA.Demonstrated ability to work in a highly-collaborative, interdisciplinary scientific team.Strong written and oral communication skills, as indicated by a track record of publications and conference presentations.Ideally, have experience working in the field of public mental health as demonstrated by publication record and/or work experience.Modes of Work

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.

Additional Information

This is a one-year position, eligible for renewal up to two additional years.

This is a hybrid position with the expectation to work in person approximately one day per month.

A full overview providing general information about the benefits for postdoctoral research fellows can be found here:  https://myumi.ch/XnP8r

The Institute for Social Research (ISR) at the University of Michigan seeks to create a community of respect and authentic collaboration by recruiting and retaining individuals that represent a variety of voices as a reflection of our commitment to serve the people of Michigan, to maintain the excellence of the university, and to ground our research in varied disciplines, perspectives, and ways of knowing and learning.

Background Screening

The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background checks.  Background checks are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

Application Deadline

Institute for Social Research job openings are posted for a minimum of fourteen (14) calendar days. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended. 

U-M EEO Statement

The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.