Health Policy Postdoc Jobs (NOW HIRING)

How to Apply
To be considered for this position, please submit all of the following:

1. Your CV
2. A Cover letter describing your research interests and goals
3. 1-2 representative publications or writing samples
4. Contact information for 2-3 references

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
The Department of Psychiatry at the University of Michigan (UM) invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Fellow to join a dynamic research team led by Lara Coughlin, PhD and Allison Lin, MD, DFASAM. The fellow will play a central role in advancing community-engaged research to improve addiction care delivery, with a particular emphasis on translating evidence-based interventions into real-world practice across large communities.
This position is embedded within the UM Addiction Center's MI-ACRE program , which focuses on accelerating the implementation of innovative, scalable approaches to substance use disorder (SUD) treatment through partnerships with health systems, community organizations, and policymakers. Ongoing NIH R01/and other federally funded projects focus on enhancing access to contingency management treatment in communities, opioid and stimulant involved polysubstance use and testing a large hub and spoke training and implementation program to support risk reduction care delivery across rural clinics. The position provides an exceptional opportunity to develop expertise in addiction services research, implementation science, and policy evaluation while collaborating with public health policy and health system partners.
Research Focus
The fellow will contribute to and help lead projects at the intersection of:

• Community-engaged and participatory research in addiction care
• Implementation and dissemination of evidence-based SUD interventions, including contingency management (CM) and medication and risk reduction approaches to addiction treatment, hub and spoke models of care, and digital health approaches
• Evaluation and scale-up of CM across clinical and community settings (e.g., Medicaid-funded programs, Opioid Settlement Fund initiatives, and digital/telehealth models)
• Health equity, with attention to underserved and structurally marginalized populations
• Policy-relevant research, including Medicaid-supported initiatives
• Mixed-methods approaches to understanding barriers and facilitators to care

Consistent with leading postdoctoral roles, the fellow will have opportunities to both advance funded projects and build an independent line of research.
The fellow will also be integrated into a highly collaborative, interdisciplinary environment across the University of Michigan, including the Addiction Center, longstanding NIAAA T32 fellowship, and Institute for Healthcare and Policy Innovation.
Responsibilities*
The postdoctoral fellow will:

• Lead and contribute to manuscripts, conference presentations, and grant applications
• Manage and analyze qualitative and/or quantitative data
• Engage directly with community partners (e.g., treatment programs, health systems, state agencies) to co-develop research and implementation strategies, facilitate training and technical assistance, including real-world CM delivery models
• Participate in and help facilitate community engagement activities (e.g., advisory boards, focus groups, community innovation sessions)
• Contribute to the development of policy briefs, toolkits, and other dissemination products for non-academic audiences, particularly related to scaling CM and medication and risk reduction approaches to addiction treatment and other evidence-based practices
• Develop an independent research agenda with strong mentorship and support

Required Qualifications*

• PhD, MD, or equivalent in addiction, psychology, public health, health services research, sociology, public health or a related field
• Demonstrated interest in substance use disorders, implementation science, health policy and/or health equity
• Experience with qualitative, quantitative, and/or mixed-methods research
• Strong writing and analytic skills, with evidence of scholarly productivity
• Interest in community-engaged and policy-relevant research

Desired Qualifications*

• Prior experience with contingency management and medication and risk reduction approaches to addiction treatment is a plus but not required

Why Join Michigan Medicine?
Michigan Medicine is one of the largest health care complexes in the world and has been the site of many groundbreaking medical and technological advancements since the opening of the U-M Medical School in 1850. Michigan Medicine is comprised of over 30,000 employees and our vision is to attract, inspire, and develop outstanding people in medicine, sciences, and healthcare to become one of the world's most distinguished academic health systems. In some way, great or small, every person here helps to advance this world-class institution. Work at Michigan Medicine and become a victor for the greater good.
What Benefits can you Look Forward to?

• Excellent medical, dental and vision coverage effective on your very first day
• 2:1 Match on retirement savings

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 .
Work Schedule
Monday - Friday
Work Locations
This position will be a hybrid role, with onsite work based out of our offices in Ann Arbor, MI.
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 Report Act. Pre-employment drug testing applies to all selected candidates, including new or additional faculty and staff appointments, as well as transfers from other U-M campuses.
In addition to the screenings indicated above under Michigan law, a criminal history check including fingerprinting is required as a condition of transfer or employment for this position.
Application Deadline
Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended.
E-Verify
The University of Michigan participates with the federal EVerify system. Individuals hired into positions that are funded by a federal contract with the FAR EVerify clause must have their identity and work eligibility confirmed by the EVerify system. This position is identified as a position that may include the EVerify requirement.
U-M EEO Statement
The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.
Job Detail
Job Opening ID
277367
Working Title
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Job Title
RESEARCH FELLOW
Work Location
Ann Arbor Campus
Ann Arbor, MI
Modes of Work
Hybrid
Full/Part Time
Full-Time
Regular/Temporary
Regular
FLSA Status
Exempt
Organizational Group
Medical School
Department
MM Psych Substance Abuse
Posting Begin/End Date
5/11/2026 - 7/04/2026
Career Interest
Research Fellows