Job Description

Summary

The Research Center for Group Dynamics at the University of Michigan-Institute for Social Research has one full-time post-doctoral fellow opportunity which we seek to fill. This post-doctoral position is geared toward the topic of social and behavioral aspects related to racial/ethnic health disparities in Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD), and will be supported by the National Institute on Aging (NIA).

This post-doctoral position offers exceptional opportunities for collaboration at the Institute for Social Research. The term of appointment will be for one year, with possible renewal for a second-year contingent on continued funding from NIH. This position provides health insurance and stipends to support living expenses. The stipend awarded will be commensurate with experience, based on levels mandated by NIH. For these NIH supported fellowships, we are interested in reviewing applications from a pool of highly talented social scientists from different backgrounds and disciplines. Information about Postdoctoral Research Fellows at University of Michigan can be found here: https://myumi.ch/XnP8r

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

In collaboration with the project’s principal investigator (Kristine Ajrouch), the Post-Doctoral Research Fellow will devote most of their time to the Detroit Area Wellness Network (DAWN) studies which include recent data collections on social, cultural, and biomarker data from representative samples of Black, Middle Eastern and North African and White Americans in Metro Detroit.

The fellow will be provided with a variety of experiences that will contribute to their career development and help facilitate their transition to a junior faculty position. While the fellow will be mentored directly by Dr. Ajrouch, they will also work closely with other project investigators and collaborators, including Drs. Laura Zahodne and Noah Webster. In addition, they will be encouraged to develop research networks with other collaborators at UM and other institutions. Collaborations within the project will ensure the fellow is exposed to cutting-edge analytic techniques and understands links between social sciences and ADRD risk. As a research team, we are strongly committed to the professional development of postdocs on this project and have developed the following mentoring plan:

1. Initial agreement. At the start of the project award, Dr. Ajrouch and the fellow will co-develop an individualized development plan (IDP), as required by NIH. We will also co-develop a written agreement outlining a clear list of research objectives and corresponding timelines to ensure there is agreement on project-related expectations and responsibilities.
2. Consultation. In addition to attending project meetings, the fellow will meet weekly with Dr. Ajrouch, the primary mentor, to discuss research activities and career development.
3. Mentoring experience. The fellow will have the opportunity to supervise undergraduate students assisting in project activities through programs such the University of Michigan Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program or the University of Michigan Honors Thesis Program. The fellow will also have the opportunity to supervise and collaborate with graduate student research assistants funded through the project.
4. Proposal writing experience. Under the direction of proposal principal investigators, the fellow will be encouraged to engage in the application of internal and external funding to extend the research proposed in this project as well as encouraged to initiate new lines of research, receiving guidance from the project team and proposal development specialists available at the University of Michigan. Potential sources of funding include the Alzheimer’s Association Research Fellowship and pilot programs administered by the MIchigan Center for Contextual Factors in Alzheimer's Disease.
5. Enrichment. The fellow will have the opportunity to participate in relevant didactic opportunities available at the University of Michigan, including the RCGD Speaker Series and the Michigan Center for Contextual Factors in Alzheimer’s Disease monthly seminar.
6. Data analysis and publication. The fellow will take first authorship on at least one conference abstract and publication resulting from this project, which will include leading analysis and writing activities. They will also have opportunities to lead or co-author publications using the research team’s various data sets.
7. Job applications. Dr. Ajrouch will assist the fellow in crafting a general job application package. This will help identify strengths and weaknesses and plan corresponding activities to strengthen the fellow’s qualifications and competitiveness. The fellow will be encouraged to submit these materials to suitable job opportunities throughout their work on this project, and if offered a job will be allowed to either delay moving to the new position and/or continue as a collaborator on this project in their new role.

In summary, the fellow will be provided with the tools and support to conduct research on an exciting project that will advance the field of ADRD disparities. Project investigators will strongly encourage the fellow to pursue creative lines of inquiry that fall within their research interests and complement the proposed project.

Specifically, the fellow will perform quantitative data analysis and literature reviews toward scientific publications based on the project. There will also be potential opportunities to collaborate on grant proposal writing. The applicant should have excellent communication skills and experience in preparing materials for conference presentation and for submission to peer-reviewed scientific publications.

Modes of Work & Location

Work will be in person onsite in Ann Arbor full time. After three months, a possible hybrid arrangement can be discussed.

Additional Information

The term of appointment will be for one year, with possible renewal for a second-year contingent on continued funding from NIH.

Qualifications

PhD in sociology, psychology, public health or a relevant discipline at the time of appointment. Experience conducting multivariate analysis, experience with IRB including preparation of IRB application and ensuring project compliance with all IRB guidance. Demonstrated ability to work in a highly-collaborative team.

Application Instructions

Candidates interested in this position as a Post-Doctoral Research Fellow should submit a cover letter describing their research interests and qualifications as well as a CV.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The University of Michigan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities."