Post Doc Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Announcement
Details
Open Date
05/11/2026
Requisition Number
PRN45003B
Job Title
Post Doc Fellow w/Ret
Working Title
Post Doc Fellow w/Ret
Career Progression Track
A00
Track Level
FLSA Code
Administrative
Patient Sensitive Job Code?
No
Standard Hours per Week
40
Full Time or Part Time?
Full Time
Shift
Day
Work Schedule Summary
This is a 1 year with potential for 2nd year of funding, beginning July 1, 2026.
VP Area
Academic Affairs
Department
01657 - CSW TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH
Location
Campus
City
Salt Lake City, UT
Type of Recruitment
External Posting
Pay Rate Range
68,000-70,000
Close Date
08/10/2026
Priority Review Date (Note - Posting may close at any time)
Job Summary
The College of Social Work at the University of Utah invites applications for a full-time Postdoctoral Research Associate to join a growing portfolio of projects focused on infant and early childhood mental health (IECMH), trauma-informed education, and statewide workforce development initiatives.
Under the mentorship of Dr. Alysse Loomis, the postdoctoral fellow will contribute to several ongoing studies and evaluations aimed at strengthening trauma-informed practices across early childhood systems, including teacher training innovations, statewide workforce initiatives, and IECMH-focused evaluation partnerships.
This position offers advanced training in applied research, project management, data analysis, and grant development, with opportunities to co-author manuscripts, lead analyses, mentor/ supervise undergraduate and graduate researchers, and contribute to federal and foundation funding proposals. The postdoc will also have protected time for professional development and independent scholarship aligned with trauma-informed intervention or early childhood workforce topics.
Responsibilities
Research & Evaluation (≈80-85%)

• Lead and support data management, cleaning, and reporting for state- and federally funded early childhood mental health program evaluations, potentially including Utah's Training & Teleconsultation Program (TTP) funded through the Office of Substance Use and Mental Health and the Trauma Program for Young Children funded through the National Child Traumatic Stress Initiative (NCTSI/SAMHSA), both in partnership with The Children's Center Utah. Responsibilities include data management, data analysis, preparing quarterly and annual reports, and translating findings for funders and community partners.
• Coordinate quantitative and qualitative research activities for pilot studies and emerging projects supported by internal and foundation funding that advance trauma-informed and workforce-focused innovations in early childhood settings (e.g., game-based trauma-informed teacher training prototypes, trauma-informed teaching observational measure development). Responsibilities include contributing to study design, conducting analyses, preparing manuscripts and dissemination products that strengthen the evidence base and position these projects for future federal submissions (e.g., NIH, IES, SAMHSA), preparing funding reports, and supervising undergraduate and graduate research assistants.
• Other tasks:
  • Develop summaries and visualizations to communicate findings to non-academic audiences.
  • Support grant proposal development, contributing to methods, measures, and analytic plans for federal (e.g., NIH, SAMHSA) and foundation (e.g., WT Grant, Spencer) submissions.
  • Supervise and mentor research assistants, coordinate with community partners and evaluation teams.
  • Co-author peer-reviewed manuscripts, policy briefs, and conference presentations.

Professional Development & Independent Scholarship (≈15-20%)

• Pursue independent or secondary analyses related to IECMH systems, trauma-informed workforce supports, or implementation science.
• Participate in structured mentorship around grant writing, project leadership, and research-practice partnerships.
• Engage in statewide and national learning networks (e.g., National Child Traumatic Stress Initiative Evaluation Community of Practice, Utah Early Childhood Mental Health Workforce).
• Develop mentoring, and supervision skills through collaboration with undergraduate and graduate trainees.
• Attend trainings and conferences as relevant to position and career goals.

Required Qualifications

• PhD (or ABD near completion) in Social Work, Psychology, Human Development, Public Health, Education, or a closely related field.
• Strong analytic and data management skills (e.g., SPSS, R, Stata, Excel).
• Demonstrated experience in data cleaning, reporting, and applied program evaluation.
• Excellent writing skills for academic, grant, and practitioner audiences.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects independently and collaboratively.

Training & MentorshipThe postdoctoral scholar will receive structured mentorship from Dr. Loomis and collaborators in: IECMH and trauma-informed workforce development, Data management and program evaluation, Grant and manuscript writing, Leadership within interdisciplinary, community-engaged research teams. The postdoc will have protected time for independent scholarship, professional development, and engagement with statewide and national IECMH networks.
Minimum Qualifications
Preferences
Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of infant and early childhood mental health systems or trauma-informed practice.
• Experience working with community or state partners on evaluation or workforce initiatives.
• Familiarity with mixed-methods approaches, measure development, or validation studies.
• Proficiency with tools such as Qualtrics, Dedoose, or data visualization platforms.
• Experience contributing to or drafting federal or foundation grant proposals.
• Experience supervising and mentoring undergraduate and graduate students in research.
• Commitment to community-engaged research.

Type
Benefited Staff
Special Instructions Summary
With your application, please include:

• Cover letter
• CV
• 2-3 writing samples (applicant should be lead or sole author or articulate primary role)
• 2-3 professional references

Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. Inquiries regarding the position may be directed to Dr. Alysse Loomis at alysse.loomis@utah.edu.
Additional Information
The University is a participating employer with Utah Retirement Systems ("URS"). Eligible new hires with prior URS service, may elect to enroll in URS if they make the election before they become eligible for retirement (usually the first day of work). Contact Human Resources at (801) 581-7447 for information. Individuals who previously retired and are receiving monthly retirement benefits from URS are subject to URS' post-retirement rules and restrictions. Please contact Utah Retirement Systems at (801) 366-7770 or (800) 695-4877 or University Human Resource Management at (801) 581-7447 if you have questions regarding the post-retirement rules.
This position may require the successful completion of a criminal background check and/or drug screen.
The University of Utah values candidates who have experience working in settings with students and possess a strong commitment to improving access to higher education.
Veterans' preference is extended to qualified applicants, upon request and consistent with University policy and Utah state law. Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process will be provided to individuals with disabilities.
Consistent with state and federal law, the University of Utah does not discriminate based upon race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, or protected veteran's status. The University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX and 34 CFR part 106. The requirement not to discriminate in education programs or activities extends to admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and its regulations may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, to the Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, or both.
To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability or if you or someone you know has experienced discrimination or sexual misconduct including sexual harassment, you may contact the Director/Title IX Coordinator in the Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX (OEO). More information, including the Director/Title IX Coordinator's office address, electronic mail address, and telephone number can be located at the: University of Utah Non-Discrimination page.
Online reports may be submitted at https://oeo.utah.edu
https://publicsafety.utah.edu/safetyreport/ This report includes statistics about criminal offenses, hate crimes, arrests and referrals for disciplinary action, and Violence Against Women Act offenses. They also provide information about safety and security-related services offered by the University of Utah. A paper copy can be obtained by request at the Department of Public Safety located at 1658 East 500 South.
As per University of Utah policy 5-108: Transfer of Benefits Eligible Staff Members, a new hire to the University of Utah who is still serving a 12 month probationary period will not be hired into another University of Utah job (a transfer) until the successful completion of the probationary period.