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Substance Use Postdoctoral Jobs in Minnesota (NOW HIRING)

Substance Use Postdoctoral information

What is a substance use postdoctoral?

A Substance Use Postdoctoral position is a research-focused role for individuals who have recently earned a doctoral degree in fields like psychology, public health, or neuroscience. These professionals engage in advanced research on substance use, addiction, prevention, and treatment under the mentorship of senior scientists. Their work may involve clinical trials, epidemiological studies, or laboratory research, and often includes publishing scientific findings and seeking grant funding. The goal is to gain specialized expertise and prepare for independent research or academic careers.

What types of research projects and collaborations can a substance use postdoctoral fellow expect to be involved in?

As a Substance Use Postdoctoral fellow, you can expect to work on a diverse range of research projects, which may include clinical trials, epidemiological studies, or intervention development focused on substance use disorders. Collaboration is common with multidisciplinary teams, including psychologists, physicians, social workers, and statisticians. Fellows often contribute to grant writing, data analysis, and manuscript preparation, while also having opportunities to mentor graduate students or junior researchers. This collaborative environment not only advances research goals but also helps you build a strong professional network and develop new skills.

What is the difference between Substance Use Postdoctoral vs Substance Abuse Counselor?

AspectSubstance Use PostdoctoralSubstance Abuse Counselor
Required CredentialsDoctoral degree (PhD or PsyD), postdoctoral trainingHigh school diploma or bachelor's degree, certification often required
Work EnvironmentResearch settings, academic institutions, clinicsRehabilitation centers, outpatient clinics, community agencies
Employer & Industry UsageUniversities, research institutes, healthcare organizationsSubstance abuse treatment facilities, mental health agencies
Common Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding advanced research roles, career pathsSeeking direct client treatment roles, certification info

In summary, Substance Use Postdoctoral roles focus on research, advanced training, and academic work, requiring a doctoral degree and postdoctoral experience. Substance Abuse Counselors primarily provide direct client care in treatment settings, often with certification but less formal education. Both roles are essential in the substance use industry but serve different functions and career stages.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a substance use postdoctoral researcher?

To thrive as a Substance Use Postdoctoral researcher, you need a doctoral degree in psychology, public health, or a related field, along with expertise in substance use research methodologies. Familiarity with statistical analysis software (such as SPSS, SAS, or R), research ethics, and grant writing is often required. Strong critical thinking, effective communication, and collaborative skills help you excel in interdisciplinary research teams and disseminate findings. These competencies ensure rigorous research, successful funding, and impactful contributions to the field of substance use prevention and treatment.
Infographic showing various Substance Use Postdoctoral job openings in Minnesota as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 72% Full Time, 24% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 94% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution.

Post-Doctoral Associate - Big Data/ Neuroimaging Addiction

University of Minnesota

Minneapolis, MN • On-site

$63K - $77K/mo

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Life

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.


Job description

About the Job
 

We are seeking a highly motivated, self-driven Post-doctoral Associate for the Zilverstand lab in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. Anna Zilverstand, PhD, is an Associate Professor in Psychiatry and the lab Principal Investigator. The lab is part of the University of Minnesota Medical Discovery Team on Addiction, offering a multidisciplinary research environment. We directly collaborate with colleagues from the departments of Psychology, Radiology, Neuroscience and Health Informatics, amongst others. 
Our current research focus is investigating individual differences in the neurobehavioral factors underlying the onset and escalation of substance use. We use neuroimaging, behavioral tasks, surveys and clinical interview data to better understand the complex risk factors driving high levels of use. 
The candidate must have a strong background in computational methods and/or neuroimaging methods. The position will involve management and analysis of data from a NIH-funded project on individual differences in substance use disorders and/or related public data sets. 
We are committed to developing the careers of all lab members. The position, in conjunction with the University of Minnesota career development training programs, will provide opportunities for mentorship in scientific writing and grantsmanship, outreach and communication. 
Job Responsibilities include: 
Data management & analysis of multimodal large data sets. (60%) 
Contribute to the preparation of reports, IRB submissions, and grants and authorship of conference papers, posters and journal articles. (30%) 
Mentor undergraduate and graduate students on research projects. (5%) 
Participate in career training/development programs. (5%) 
This position could be at a minimum of a 2 year appointment with the possibility of extension. 
 

Qualifications
 


Required Qualifications: 
1.PhD or MD/PhD degree in Neuroscience, Neuroimaging, Psychology, Child Development, Health Informatics, Computational Biology or related field 
2.Strong background in computational methods and/or neuroimaging methods 
3.Track record of first-author research papers published in peer-reviewed journals

About the Department
 

The Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences consists of an outstanding team of researchers, clinicians, and educators who provide world-class expertise in psychiatric illness, treatment, scholarship, and scientific discovery.

Our mission is to:

  • Create and disseminate new knowledge in the science of mental health
  • Provide effective and innovative clinical care programs to alleviate the suffering of mental illness and promote mental resilience
  • Train the next generation of interprofessional experts who will be leaders in Minnesota and beyond
  • Engage in compassionate and vigorous outreach and advocacy on issues relevant to psychiatric illness, treatment, and research

You can find more information on our website at https://med.umn.edu/psychiatry.

Pay and Benefits
 

Pay Range: Salary range is from $63,480 - $77,076, depending on education/qualifications/experience

Please visit the Benefits for Postdoctoral Candidates website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

  • Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
  • Continuous learning opportunities through professional training
  • Medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
  • Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
  • University HSA contributions
  • Disability and life insurance
  • Employee wellbeing program
  • Financial counseling services
  • Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
How To Apply
 

Applications must be submitted online.  To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions.  You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

Diversity
 

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission.  The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.  To learn more about diversity at the U:  http://diversity.umn.edu

Employment Requirements
 

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

About University of Minnesota
 

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by Forbes as a Best Employer for Company Culture (2026), Best Employer for Women (2023), and Best Employer by State (2022-2026). In 2026, we also received Culture Excellence & Industry Awards recognition for employee appreciation and work-life flexibility.