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How to Apply

 Applications should be submitted via Interfolio: http://apply.interfolio.com/120436 and should include:

  1. A letter of interest
  2. Curriculum vitae
  3. 2-page statement of research interests and experience
  4. Examples of written work
  5. Contact information for two or three references who can supply a letter of recommendation

Please combine all files into one PDF for submission.

All general inquiries and questions about the position can be sent to Aneesa Buageila at aneesabu@umich.edu. Review of applications will begin in early February 2023 and continue until the positions are filled.

Summary

The postdoctoral positions (max. two) are funded by a NIH/NIA Grant on Retrospective Life History Data in the Health and Retirement Study (HRS). Specifically, the research fellows will work with the project team at ISR/SRC and PI (Dr. Jacqui Smith) to assist with one or more of the following projects:

  1. A study examining generational, gender, and racial/ethnic differences in the content, quality, and context of education in early life and how these are associated with later-life health and cognitive outcomes
  2. A study of the relationship between early- and mid-life life contexts (family, geographical) and later-life health and dementia.
  3. A study of gender differences in job histories and family/work life decisions and cognitive aging.

The research fellows will assist with 1) the publication and analyses of existing and newly-collected HRS life history data; 2) linkages to relevant archival data (e.g., quality of school and college education; life course exposures to environmental risks; O*Net taxonomy of job types and tasks); and 3) the organization of project workshops, consultations, and collaborative research meetings. The research fellows are expected to initiate new manuscripts using available HRS life history data, contribute actively to ongoing analyses and manuscripts, and to participate generally in the activities of the research group, the Center, and the Institute.

Background Information 

Candidates will join the Psychosocial Aging Group in the Survey Research Center (SRC) at the University of Michigan’s Institute for Social Research (ISR), directed by Dr. Smith.    

The Institute for Social Research is the largest academic social science research institution in the world. This interdisciplinary community includes researchers from sociology, anthropology, economics, psychology, information and computer science, statistics, geography, public policy, public health, and medicine, among others. SRC is a unique, world-renowned social science research center that conducts investigator-initiated, survey-based research on theoretical and applied problems of both social and scientific importance (see www.src.isr.umich.edu). Scholars have exceptional resources to facilitate research including access to administrative, research, and computer support staff. For more information about the project group, HRS, and ISR see: https://aging.isr.umich.edu, http://hrsonline.isr.umich.edu/ and http://www.isr.umich.edu/

Required Qualifications*

  • Ph.D. in psychology, sociology, public health, economics, biodemography, survey methodology, or an allied social science.
  • Experience with large health science databases or studies
  • Analysis experience in R, SAS, STATA, or a similar statistical programming language
  • Ability to work independently or collaboratively and to show initiative within a strong team dynamic
  • Demonstrated interpersonal skills with excellent verbal and written English communication skills.  
  • Candidates must be eligible to work in the US. 

Desired Qualifications*

  • A background in life course research and theory linking early- and midlife health, socioeconomic, psychosocial, biological, and/or environmental factors to late-life health  and well-being is desirable.
  • There is a strong preference also for candidates with advanced skills in sequential multilevel analysis, survey method evaluation, and experience using survey data.

Additional Information

Salary range is $70,000 - $80,000/year plus benefits and travel funds. The appointment will be for one year, with the potential for annual renewal for two years total. The preferred starting date is May to September 2023. The stipend will be commensurate with experience and based on levels established by NIH and  the University of Michigan. 

The Institute for Social Research at the University of Michigan seeks to recruit and retain a diverse workforce as a reflection of our commitment to serve the diverse 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.

Work Locations

Work location is expected to be onsite in Ann Arbor with flexibility for remote work within our overall Center policies. If relocation is required, we will allow for reasonable time and flexibility to make necessary arrangements.

Application Deadline

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days.   Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.

U-M EEO/AA Statement

The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.