Postdoctoral Fellow

The Pennsylvania State University; State College (Centre County); Hybrid; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Penn State's Child Maltreatment Solutions Network offers a 2-year NICHD-funded T32 Postdoctoral Fellowship in child maltreatment science. Fellows engage across biology, health, development, prevention, treatment, and policy data systems with a broad mentor team.

Training emphasizes ethics, grant writing, and translating findings into practice. Remote or hybrid work may be approved case-by-case; start date is flexible, ideally August 2026, with background checks per university policy.

Qualifications

• Doctorate in biology, education, social work, or public health.
• Excellence in oral and written communication.
• Experience conducting research and data analysis on child maltreatment or related areas.
• Strong interest in interdisciplinary collaboration and policy impact.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with faculty and research staff on large-scale projects involving child welfare-involved youth, intervention and prevention efforts, and longitudinal studies on predictors of child maltreatment.
• Collect, analyze, and interpret data related to child maltreatment and its outcomes.
• Assist in the development and execution of grant proposals and research projects.
• Participate in the translation of research findings to inform policy and practice in the child maltreatment field.
• Engage in professional development activities, including ethics training and writing workshops.

Skills

Oral and written communication

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Research and data analysis

Grant writing

Education

Doctorate in biology/education/social work/public health

Job description

Position Overview

Penn State's Child Maltreatment Solutions Network is accepting applications for a 2‑year NICHD‑funded T32 Postdoctoral Fellowship in child maltreatment science. The training allows fellows to specialize in areas such as Biology and Health, Developmental Processes, Prevention and Treatment, and Policy and Administrative Data Systems.

This fellowship offers a comprehensive transdisciplinary training program, working with a mentor team comprising over 20 Penn State faculty across fields including education, biology, genetics, treatment, human development, administrative data systems, social determinants of health, and neuroscience. Fellows receive training in research ethics, professional development, and grant writing, and gain experience implementing research and translating findings to influence practice and policy within the child maltreatment field.

Remote or hybrid work may be approved on a case‑by‑case basis; approval is not guaranteed. The start date is flexible, ideally early August 2026. Successful candidates will be subject to background checks in accordance with University policies.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with faculty and research staff on large‑scale projects involving child welfare‑involved youth, intervention and prevention efforts, and longitudinal studies on predictors of child maltreatment.
• Collect, analyze, and interpret data related to child maltreatment and its outcomes.
• Assist in the development and execution of grant proposals and research projects.
• Participate in the translation of research findings to inform policy and practice in the child maltreatment field.
• Engage in professional development activities, including ethics training and writing workshops.

Qualifications

• Doctorate in a relevant discipline (e.g., biology, education, social work, public health).
• Demonstrated excellence in oral and written communication.
• Experience conducting research and data analysis on child maltreatment or related areas.
• Strong interest in interdisciplinary collaboration and policy impact.

Application Materials

• Curriculum vitae
• Statement of interest outlining previous experience, career goals, and preferred primary and secondary mentors
• Writing sample
• Two letters of recommendation

Benefits

Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full‑time employees, designed to support personal and professional well‑being. For more detailed information, visit the Benefits Page. (Note: Postdoctoral benefits are detailed on the Postdoctoral Benefits page.)

Background Checks/Clearances

Employment will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.

EEO Statement

Penn State is an equal‑opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814‑865‑1473.

Equal Opportunity Employment

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