Postdoctoral Fellow

Penn State University; University Park (TX); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Penn State University is inviting applications for a 2-year NIH T32-funded Postdoctoral Fellowship in Child Maltreatment Science. Fellows will specialize in biology and health, development, prevention and treatment, and policy and administrative data systems.

The program offers cross-disciplinary training across Penn State’s expansive research network. Start date is flexible with a preferred August 2026 start.

Qualifications

• PhD, MD, or equivalent required.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Experience with research and data analysis in child maltreatment or related areas.
• Proven ability to work in multidisciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with a large mentor team across diverse fields.
• Conduct research and data analysis on child welfare-involved youth and related studies.
• Receive training in ethics, grant writing, and translating findings to practice.
• Assist in implementing projects and preparing manuscripts and reports.

Skills

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Research/data analysis

Multidisciplinary work

Education

PhD or MD

Job description

Postdoctoral Fellowship – Child Maltreatment Science

Penn State’s Child Maltreatment Solutions Network is inviting applications for a 2‑year, NIH T32‑funded Postdoctoral Fellowship. Fellows will specialize in areas including Biology and Health, Developmental Processes, Prevention and Treatment, and Policy and Administrative Data Systems. The training provides a unique opportunity to develop expertise across the entire spectrum of child maltreatment science.

Key Responsibilities

• Collaborate with a mentor team of over 20 Penn State faculty across diverse specialties – education, biology, genetics, treatment, human development, administrative data systems, social determinants of health, neuroscience, and more.
• Conduct research and data analysis on child welfare‑involved youth, intervention and prevention projects, longitudinal studies on predictors of child maltreatment, and other large‑scale research initiatives.
• Receive training in research ethics, professional development, grant writing, and translating findings to influence practice and policy.
• Assist in implementing research projects and preparing manuscripts, presentations, and reports.

Qualifications

• Doctorate (PhD, MD, or equivalent) in a relevant field.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Experience in conducting research and data analysis on child maltreatment or related areas.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams.

Application Materials and Timeline

Submit an online application through Penn State’s Job Posting Board by July 17, 2026. Include the following:

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

Start date is flexible; the preferred start is early August 2026.

Equal Opportunity Employer

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 veteran status.