Interested applicants please submit (1) a letter of interest; (2) personal statement regarding research interests, career goals, and experience; (3) a curriculum vita; (4) a writing sample (examples include, but are not limited to, a manuscript in preparation, a published manuscript, or a chapter from a dissertation); and (5) contact information for two or three references who can supply a letter of recommendation. All materials can be submitted through https://apply.interfolio.com/167469; any questions or inquiries can be sent to nprieur@umich.edu.

The SEH Program is seeking a postdoctoral research fellow to join Drs. Grace Noppert and Kate Duchowny in the Biosocial Research Collaborative. The fellow will contribute to several projects investigating how the social environment shapes biological processes of aging.

One primary focus will be on an NIH-funded R01 (AG075719, MPIs: Noppert and Aiello) aimed at understanding the role of the immune system in the etiology of cognitive decline and Alzheimer's Disease and related dementias (ADRD), with particular emphasis on social inequalities. This work leverages innovative immune aging data collected through the Health and Retirement Study (HRS), linked with measures of cognitive decline and ADRD. For more information on this project, please see: https://bit.ly/3IEIafn.

Additional projects include the use of the National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS) to examine how features of the social and neighborhood environment influence physical function in older adults. The fellow will also have the opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research focused on identifying and interrogating novel cellular and subcellular markers of biological aging.

Successful candidates will have the opportunity to carry out analyses of social, immune, physical function, and cognitive measures; develop new study questions to address; assist with manuscript and grant writing; develop a K award, educate collaborators and lab members on methods used in analyses; supervise students rotating through the lab; stay abreast of new analytic techniques; and present research activities within the group and at scientific meetings. Support for preparing applications for external funding would be provided.

The Social Environment and Health Program (SEH) (www.seh.isr.umich.edu) in the Survey Research Center (SRC) at the University of Michigan's Institute for Social Research (ISR) is a pioneer and leader in forging linkages across disciplinary perspectives. In addition to the program's current efforts to understand the intersections between social and environmental context and their impacts on population health, we continue to expand our portfolio and involve new research scholars in other health- and development-related topics including infectious disease, cognitive aging, and immune health across the life course, providing opportunities for synergy and integration of new ideas in the relevant fields.

The Institute for Social Research is the largest academic social science research institution in the world. This interdisciplinary community includes researchers from sociology, anthropology, economics, psychology, information and computer science, statistics, geography, public policy, public health, and medicine, among others. SRC is a unique, world-renowned social science research center that conducts investigator-initiated, survey-based research on theoretical and applied problems of both social and scientific importance (see www.src.isr.umich.edu). Scholars have exceptional resources to facilitate research including access to administrative, research, and computer support staff.

• PhD degree or equivalent in epidemiology, gerontology, sociology, or other relevant fields. 
• Experience with analysis of large health science databases or studies
• Analysis experience in R, SAS, STATA or a similar statistical programming language
• Demonstrated interpersonal skills and oral and written communication
• Ability to work independently or collaboratively and to show initiative within a strong team dynamic
• Excellent verbal and written English communication skills

• Experience with code sharing and collaborative development tools (i.e. GitHub)
• Growth mindset mentality with an open-science philosophy

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.

Salary range is $70,000 - $80,000/year plus benefits and grant related travel funds. The appointment will be for one year, with a potential for annual renewal for up to 3 years total, start date as soon as possible, but no later than September 2025. 

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.

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.

The 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. 

Applications will be reviewed as they are submitted, and we may make offers to qualified candidates prior to the application deadline.

The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.