RESEARCH FELLOW

How to Apply

A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position.

Mission Statement

Michigan Medicine improves the health of patients, populations and communities through excellence in education, patient care, community service, research and technology development, and through leadership activities in Michigan, nationally and internationally. Our mission is guided by our Strategic Principles and has three critical components; patient care, education and research that together enhance our contribution to society.

Job Summary

A postdoctoral fellowship position is available in the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Michigan. We seek a highly motivated candidate with a strong interest in health services research and Medicare policy, particularly issues related to Medicare Advantage and Traditional Medicare.

This position is funded by an R01 grant from the National Institute on Aging and focuses on examining the role of Medicare Advantage in racial and ethnic disparities in healthcare utilization and quality of care among Medicare beneficiaries with Alzheimer?s disease and related dementias (ADRD). During this two-year fellowship, the postdoctoral fellow will work closely with the Principal Investigator, Dr. Elham Mahmoudi, PhD, an experienced team of analysts, and a multidisciplinary group of collaborators.

The fellowship includes: (1) a mentor-based research apprenticeship centered on empirical research projects developed in collaboration with mentors; (2) an individualized professional development plan designed to prepare the fellow for an independent research career, with a particular emphasis on claims-based research and causal inference methods; and (3) active participation and leadership in manuscript development, policy briefs, and dissemination activities.

Additional training opportunities will include grant writing, project management, advanced data analysis, scientific presentations, professional skills development, and career planning. Salary will be commensurate with NIH postdoctoral fellowship guidelines. The position includes a comprehensive University of Michigan benefits package.

Responsibilities*

The postdoctoral fellow will participate in ongoing research projects using Medicare Advantage encounter data and Traditional Medicare claims data, other nationally representative datasets, and publicly available national data. Responsibilities include conducting data analyses, investigating Medicare policies and their implications for healthcare access and outcomes, examining variation across Medicare Advantage plans, contributing to emerging Medicare Advantage research, and assisting with the development of manuscripts and extramural grant applications.

Responsibilities will be reviewed periodically and adjusted as appropriate to support both the fellows professional development and the goals of the research program.

Required Qualifications*

• PhD or other terminal degree in economics, health services research, public policy, epidemiology, biostatistics, sociology, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience in health services research.
• Strong quantitative and analytical skills.
• Interest in Medicare policy and aging-related research.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary research team.
• Demonstrated integrity, professionalism, respectful communication, and commitment to a collaborative work environment.
• Projected start date: August 2026.

Submit a current curriculum vitae, a cover letter describing prior research experience and training, current research interests (maximum two pages), and one representative publication. Candidates selected for further consideration will be asked to provide three letters of reference.

Desired Qualifications*

• Advanced methodological training and experience in causal inference, econometrics, biostatistics, or related quantitative methods.
• Experience working with large administrative or claims-based datasets.
• Knowledge of Medicare policy, Medicare Advantage, or aging-related research.
• Evidence of scholarly productivity, including peer-reviewed publications and/or conference presentations.
• Experience contributing to grant proposals or policy-focused research is desirable.

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.

Background Screening

Michigan Medicine conducts background screening and pre-employment drug testing on job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent job offer and may use a third-party administrator to conduct background screenings. Background screenings are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

U-M EEO Statement

The University of Michigan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.