Postdoctoral Scholar-Fixed Term

Michigan State University; Flint (MI); Hybrid; USD 55,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote friendly

Job summary

Michigan State University is seeking a Postdoctoral Scholar to join a multidisciplinary team in the College of Human Medicine, Flint. The role involves advancing a NIH-supported, digital screening and intervention trial focused on improving maternal health outcomes through community-engaged research and live chat support.

The candidate will gain training in digital interventions, randomized trials, and grant writing, while collaborating with leading researchers and the Flint community, under the

Qualifications

• Required doctoral degree in Epidemiology, Psychology, Public Health, or related field.
• Demonstrated scientific writing ability.
• Proficiency in data management and analysis.
• Ability to work effectively and collegially with colleagues.
• Excellent time-management skills and ability to work independently on multiple projects simultaneously.

Responsibilities

• Help ensure successful conduct of the trial and present at community events and conferences.
• Prepare manuscripts and assist with grant application development.
• Receive advanced training in digital intervention development, randomized trials, and proposal writing.

Skills

Scientific writing

Data management

Collaboration

Independent work

Education

Doctoral degree in Epidemiology/Psychology/Public Health

PhD

Job description

Position Summary

Seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Scholar to join a multidisciplinary research team at the College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University (MSU). Led by Dr. Steven J. Ondersma (https://publichealth.msu.edu/flint-research/flint-public-health-research/steven-ondersma-phd), Dr. Claire Margerison (https://epibio.msu.edu/research/mrg/), and Community MPI Athena McKay (https://www.flintinnovativesolutions.org/), this team is three years into a 7‑year community‑engaged trial testing the ability of a multi‑level digital intervention—augmented with on‑demand live chat assistance from a Community Health Worker—to reduce pregnancy‑related and ‑associated maternal morbidity and mortality (PRAMM). This study is part of the MSU MIRACLE Center (https://obgyn.msu.edu/the-miracle-center), an NIH Maternal Health Research Center of Excellence funded under the NIH IMPROVE Initiative (https://www.nichd.nih.gov/research/supported/IMPROVE). Dr. Ondersma’s research focuses on healthcare‑based digital screening and interventions seeking to promote better pregnancy outcomes, often using the NIH‑funded, open‑source, no‑code platform www.cias.app. Dr. Margerison’s research focuses on understanding the determinants of racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic differences in women’s health, particularly before, during, and after pregnancy and on identifying policy changes and preventative strategies to promote health among at‑risk pregnancies. Ms. McKay, Executive Director of Flint Innovative Solutions, is a community leader specializing in health promotion using technology.

Responsibilities of the Postdoctoral Scholar

Responsibilities of the Post‑doctoral scholar will include: helping to ensure successful conduct of the trial; presenting for community events and at conferences; manuscript preparation; and assisting with grant application development. The postdoctoral fellow will receive advanced training from Drs. Ondersma and Margerison in relevant areas including digital intervention development, randomized trials, and proposal writing, with the development of an NIH application being a key focus; and from Ms. McKay in community‑engaged and ‑partnered research. The research associate can also collaborate with other faculty within the MIRACLE Center and across MSU.

As an institution of higher learning, Michigan State University is committed to providing a safe environment for its students, faculty, and staff in support of its educational mission. With this commitment, the University conducts criminal background checks and professional misconduct reviews of all applicants for employment in faculty, academic staff, and executive management searches.

Professional Misconduct Review

A professional misconduct review is a prerequisite for a candidate to be selected for this position. Applicants will be asked to disclose whether they are subject to any pending investigation, findings or sanctions related to professional misconduct. Professional misconduct includes misconduct related to a person’s employment, including, but not limited to, theft, embezzlement, research integrity, discrimination, or harassment under civil rights laws and policies, including protected identity harassment, sexual harassment, sexual misconduct (sexual assault, sexual exploitation, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, etc.), and retaliation. All applicants will be asked to sign an authorization and release, which authorizes the University to contact the candidate’s current and former employers, for a period of 7 years prior to the date of application, related to any pending investigations, findings of responsibility and/or sanctions related to professional misconduct. Nothing will be sent to current or former employers unless the candidate reaches the semi‑finalist stage.

The existence of professional misconduct history does not automatically exclude a candidate from employment. The University will assess the history, including any information provided by the candidate, in determining whether it is compatible with the position. The University may decline to hire a candidate based on the professional misconduct review. All records obtained from external employers will be kept in a secure location, separate from personnel files. If an applicant fails to sign the authorization and release, the application will be deemed incomplete and will be withdrawn.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

Required Degree

Terminal -Epidemiology, Psychology, Public Health, or related field

Minimum Requirements

• A doctoral degree or equivalent in Epidemiology, Psychology, Public Health, or related field.
• Demonstrated scientific writing ability
• Proficiency in data management and analysis
• Ability to work effectively and collegially with colleagues
• Excellent time‑management skills and ability to work independently on multiple projects simultaneously

Desired Qualifications

• PhD
• Subject‑matter knowledge in one or more of the following: digital interventions, mental health, substance use, pregnancy, and pregnancy‑related and ‑associated morbidity and mortality.
• Experience with intervention development and/or community‑engaged research

Required Application Materials

Applicants should submit a cover letter describing research interests and career goals, curriculum vitae, names and contact information for three references, and a writing sample

Review of Applications Begins On

08/28/2026

Remote Work Statement

MSU strives to provide a flexible work environment and this position has been designated as remote‑friendly. Remote‑friendly means some or all of the duties can be performed remotely as mutually agreed upon.

Website

https://publichealth.msu.edu/

MSU Statement

Michigan State University has been advancing the common good with uncommon will for more than 160 years. One of the top research universities in the world, MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery and forges enduring partnerships to solve the most pressing global challenges while providing life‑changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community through more than 200 programs of study in 17 degree‑granting colleges.