Postdoctoral Fellow - Social and Behavioral Sciences

Harvard University; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Harvard University’s Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health invites applications for a Postdoctoral Fellow in Social and Behavioral Sciences beginning Winter 2027.

The position focuses on NIH-funded research exploring optimism and other psychosocial factors and their links to cognitive health in older adults, with attention to physical activity and the microbiome. The fellow will work with a diverse team of epidemiologists, psychologists and other experts, producing multiple publications,

Qualifications

• Doctoral-level degree in psychology, health and human development, social epidemiology or related field.
• Proof of successfully defending dissertation.
• Experience managing and programming large-scale epidemiologic data sets.
• Proficiency with advanced statistics.
• Knowledge of the interface between mental and physical health.
• Publication record beyond thesis papers.
• Excellent planning, analytical, organizational, communication, and decision-making skills.

Responsibilities

• General Research Activities: carry out designated tasks using longitudinal designs, moderation/mediation, causal inference, and descriptive analyses.
• Data Cleaning and Management: handle large datasets (N ~100,000) across cohorts.
• Data/Statistical Analysis: summarize data using R, SAS and other tools.
• Acquires Specialized Training: attend trainings to gain new statistics skills.
• Reporting Results: prepare periodic reports and suggest improvements.
• Manuscript Preparation: lead or contribute to publications and progress reports.
• Data Safety: monitor data safety protocols for responsible conduct of research.
• Responsible Conduct of Research: promote reproducible research with commented code and R Markdown.

Skills

Data analysis

Statistical expertise

Research planning

Communication skills

Education

Doctoral degree in psychology/related field

Defended dissertation

Tools

R

SAS

Job description

Postdoctoral Fellow - Social and Behavioral Sciences

Title Postdoctoral Fellow - Social and Behavioral Sciences

School

School Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

Department/Area

Department/Area Social and Behavioral Sciences

Position Description

The Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health seeks an outstanding individual for a Postdoctoral Fellow position to begin in the Winter of 2027 (start date is flexible). The successful candidate will participate in a NIH grant-funded project evaluating whether optimism and other positive psychosocial factors may lead to better cognitive health among older adults and biobehavioral mechanisms underlying these associations. Key pathways of interest include physical activity and the gut microbiome. Research activities encompass primary data collection and secondary data analyses in large cohorts, including large-scale mobile data collection. The fellow will work with our highly interdisciplinary research group, including scientists with expertise in epidemiology, aging, psychology, environmental health, and gut microbiome.

The Fellow will collaborate with faculty mentors (Dr. Laura Kubzansky – Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Dr. Fran Grodstein, Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center, Rush University) to explore key research questions, generate multiple publications, and help write grant proposals.

The Fellow will be mentored to facilitate transition to independent research careers by emphasizing acquisition of analytic, writing, and other research skills. Further, the fellows will have an opportunity to learn from our highly interdisciplinary, collaborative, and dynamic research group that meets regularly and includes leading scientists (and other fellows) with expertise in several disciplines including: epidemiology, gerontology, social determinants of health, environmental health, and microbiome among others.

Primary Research Activities (70%).

• General Research Activities. Carries out independently, under supervision, and in collaboration, designated research tasks and projects, making use of selected methodologies (longitudinal designs, moderation and mediation, causal inference), library research (Pubmed searches, systematic review methods), and statistical analysis (data visualization, descriptive analyses, time series analyses, latent modelling, multilevel modelling).
• Data Cleaning and Management. Engages both independently and under supervision in data management and data cleaning and organization in large (N~100,000) datasets, such as the Nurses Health Study cohorts.
• Data/Statistical Analysis. Processes, organizes and summarizes data, reporting results using a variety of scientific, word processing, spreadsheet or statistical software applications or program platforms including R, SAS , and others.
• Acquires Specialized Training. Attends trainings and skill development workshops as necessary to acquire new statistical skills.
• Reporting Results. Submits periodic reports of project status to supervisors, regularly suggests additional tests or modifications in current procedures;
• Manuscript Preparation. Takes the lead on or participates in research papers, manuscripts, progress reports, articles or other documents for publication and/or presentation;
• Data Safety. Regularly monitors data safety protocols for adherence to best practices in the responsible conduct of research;
• Responsible Conduct of Research. Engages in best practices for data management and reproducible research including use of commented code and R Markdown.

Project Support (30%)

• General Support. Assists with project management tasks (e.g. IRB protocols, coordinating with subcontracted co-investigators, etc.)
• Other Responsibilities. Performs other duties as assigned. Provides oversight or support for research assistants and team members. The candidate will be encouraged and mentored in applying for early career awards and independent grant funding.

Basic Qualifications

• Doctoral-level degree in psychology, health and human development, social epidemiology or a related field
• Proof of successfully defending dissertation
• Skills in managing & programming large-scale epidemiologic data sets
• Proficiency with advanced statistics
• Knowledge of the interface between mental and physical health
• Publication record, with significant contributions to peer-reviewed publications beyond thesis papers
• Excellent planning, analytical, organizational, communication, and decision-making skills

Additional Qualifications

• Interest in & experience with biological data (e.g., microbiome, inflammation)
• Interest in & experience with aging research

Contact Information

Maria LoSurdo
Director Administration

Salary Range

$70,000 - $75,000 based on qualifications and

Minimum Number of References Required

Minimum Number of References Required 3

Maximum Number of References Allowed

Maximum Number of References Allowed 3

EEO/Non-Discrimination Commitment Statement

Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination. We seek talent from all parts of society and the world, and we strive to ensure everyone at Harvard thrives. Our differences help our community advance Harvard’s academic purposes.
Harvard has an equal employment opportunity policy that outlines our commitment to prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, religion, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or identified in the university’s non-discrimination policy . Harvard’s equal employment opportunity policy and non-discrimination policy help all community members participate fully in work and campus life free from harassment and discrimination.

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).