Postdoctoral Research Fellow

How to Apply

Applicants must submit a research statement, curriculum vitae, writing sample, and two letters of recommendation. The review process will begin February 16, 2026 and continue until the position is filled.

Interested applicants may direct inquiries to the project PI, Associate Professor Kenneth Lowande, [email protected].

Please apply here: apply.interfolio.com/178829. IMPORTANT:  All applications for this Post-doctoral Research Fellow opportunity must be submitted through Interfolio and not initially through the UM job portal.  This is important since additional documents (CV, Research Statement, Letters of Recommendation and Writing Sample) are required for a complete application to be submitted. Individuals who do not apply through Interfolio will not be considered for the position.  

Job Summary

The Center for Political Studies (CPS) in the Institute for Social Research (ISR) at the University of Michigan invites applications for a Post-Doctoral Research Fellow in American politics. This full-time position has no teaching or service obligations. In addition to carrying out their own research agenda, the Fellow will be expected to conduct research on executive politics, and be actively engaged in the intellectual life of the Center. 

Research interests in American political institutions, especially the presidency and bureaucracy, are preferred but not required. We invite applicants with complementary research interests, including (but not limited to): public opinion, judicial politics, state and local politics, mass media, representation, and elections. 

Why Work at Michigan?

University of Michigan benefits include twenty-two (22) days of paid vacation annually in addition to time off during University holidays observed during the appointment period, and up to three (3) weeks of paid absence for personal illness, childbirth (if not eligible for maternity (childbirth) leave), childcare, injury, and family care. A description of postdoctoral research fellow benefits at the University of Michigan is available here: https://hr.umich.edu/working-u-m/my-employment/academic-human-resources/benefits-postdoctoral-research-fellows

Responsibilities*

• Curate and build their own research portfolio with collaborators, technical staff, and other Center, Institute and University resources;
• Working on research at the direction of the project PI;
• Managing and working with research assistants; 
• Grant development and writing, as needed.

Required Qualifications*

• A Ph.D. by September 1, 2026 in a related area (e.g., political science, economics, public policy, etc.) 
• Demonstrated interest in one or more of the following: American politics, political institutions, the American presidency, or bureaucratic politics.

Desired Qualifications*

• Strong project management skills with exceptional attention to detail;
• Strong time management skills with a proven ability to multitask and work successfully with little supervision;
• Mastery of one or more programming languages commonly used for computational social science (e.g., R or Python);
• Ability to work with and analyze administrative data.

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 with potential for renewal based on available funding and performance.

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.