Job Description
Description Background Information The Social Environment and Health Program (SEH) ( 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 and health inequalities, 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 Scholars have exceptional resources to facilitate research including access to administrative, research, and computer support staff.
Job Summary The SEH Program is seeking a postdoctoral research fellow to work on understanding the role of immunity in the etiology of cognitive decline, Alzheimer's Disease and related dementias (ADRD), and other neurodegenerative conditions, with specific attention to social inequalities in these processes. We will do this using innovative data collected by the Health and Retirement Study on immune aging linked with data on cognitive decline and ADRD. For information related to this project (R01 AG075719, MPIs Grace Noppert and Allison Aiello) please see
The fellow will be integrated into the Biosocial Research Collaborative (BRC), co-directed by Drs. Grace Noppert and Kate Duchowny, as well as the Social Environment and Health (SEH) Group at ISR. The fellow will have an opportunity to work on a number of other projects ongoing in the BRC and SEH.
Successful candidates will have the opportunity to carry out analyses of social, immune, and cognitive measures; develop new study questions to address; assist with manuscript and grant writing; 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.
Qualifications Required Qualifications - 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
Desired Qualifications - Experience with code sharing and collaborative development tools (i.e. GitHub)
- Growth mindset mentality, open-science philosophy, strong commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion
- Commitment to academic diversity, equity, and inclusion
Application Instructions How to Apply 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 application materials must be submitted via Interfolio. All general inquiries and questions about the position can be sent to nprieur@umich.edu.
Salary range is $70,000 - $80,000/year plus benefits and grant related travel funds. Salary is dependent upon qualifications and experience of the candidate. The appointment will be for one year, with a potential for annual renewal for up to 3 years total. The preferred start date is summer/early fall 2024.
Work Locations Work location is expected to be onsite in Ann Arbor with flexibility for remote work within our overall Center guidelines.
Additional Information The Institute for Social Research at the University of Michigan seeks to recruit and retain a diverse workforce as a reflection of our commitment to serve the diverse 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.
Background Screening 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.
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.
Job Tags
Summer work, Work at office, Remote work