Research Assistant Professor

The University of Michigan; Ann Arbor (MI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

The Institute for Social Research (ISR) at the University of Michigan invites applications for a Research Assistant Professor in SRC's Social Environment and Health Program. The appointee will lead and collaborate on externally funded projects examining how social and environmental factors influence health.

We seek an interdisciplinary scholar with a record of funded research, strong publications, and the ability to establish an independent program while mentoring colleagues in a collaborative,

Qualifications

• PhD in social/behavioral science fields and 2–3 years post-doctoral experience.
• Strong scholarly record with peer-reviewed publications.
• Proven ability to secure externally funded research (e.g., NIH R03/R21; K99/R00, K01).
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead and collaborate on externally funded research projects in SRC's SEH Program.
• Establish an independent, externally funded research program.
• Collaborate with an interdisciplinary team of social scientists and epidemiologists.

Skills

PhD in social/behavioral sciences

Post-doctoral experience

Externally funded research

Strong written and oral communication

Education

PhD in social or behavioral science fields

Job description

Applications are due December 1, 2026.

Job Summary

The Institute for Social Research (ISR) at the University of Michigan invites applications for a Research Assistant Professor in its Survey Research Center (SRC) .

The Research Assistant Professor will lead and collaborate on externally funded projects in SRC's Social Environment and Health (SEH) Program. SEH is one of the longest running programs in SRC and has a long history of conducting innovative research at the intersection of social, environmental, and biological factors influencing human health. SEH is also home to the National Neighborhood Data Archive (NaNDA), a publicly available longitudinal data resource with rigorously evaluated and theoretically derived measures of the neighborhood environment at multiple spatial scales.

We are looking for an interdisciplinary scholar with an interest in the social environment and health. We will consider a broad range of areas of specialization, including but not limited to aging, disability, housing, environmental exposures, built environment, biomarkers of aging, infectious disease, and contextual methods. Scholars using novel data sources as well as other innovative methods to capture new dimensions of the socio-environmental context are encouraged to apply. We are particularly interested in candidates with a successful record of externally funded research, and a strong record of scholarship.

The Research Assistant Professor will collaborate with an existing team of social scientists and social, environmental, and infectious disease epidemiologists in the SEH Program. Successful candidates are expected to establish an independent, externally funded research program.

As the world's largest academic social science survey and research organization, the Institute for Social Research (ISR) is a leader in developing and applying new social science methods and is committed to educating the next generation of social scientists. The Institute's Survey Research Center conducts investigator-initiated, survey-based research on theoretical and applied problems of both social and scientific importance. SEH and SRC are committed to mentoring early career faculty to succeed in its multidisciplinary and highly entrepreneurial environment.

Responsibilities*

The Research Assistant Professor will pursue independent and collaborative externally funded research projects related to the social environment and health.

Required Qualifications*

The Research Assistant Professor position requires:

A Ph.D. in the social or behavioral science fields, including epidemiology, psychology, health services research, population health, environmental health, urban planning, or related fields, and at least 2-3 years of post-doctoral experience;

Strong record of scholarship as evidenced by peer-reviewed publications;

Demonstrated success in securing externally funded research (e.g., small grants [NIH R03/R21], career development awards [NIH K99/R00, K01]);

Strong written and oral communication skills.

Modes of Work

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes .

Additional Information

The position is a 12-month appointment located in Ann Arbor, MI. Salary is highly competitive.

Benefits at the University of Michigan

In addition to a career filled with purpose and opportunity, The University of Michigan offers a comprehensive benefits package to help you stay well, protect yourself and any eligible family members and plan for a secure future. Benefits include:

• Generous time off
• A retirement plan that provides two-for-one matching contributions with immediate vesting upon meeting eligibility requirements
• Many choices for comprehensive health insurance
• Life insurance
• Long-term disability coverage
• Flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care expenses

The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background checks. Background checksare performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

Application Deadline

Institute for Social Research job openings are posted for a minimum of fourteen (14) calendar days. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended.

Applications are due December 1, 2026.

U-M EEO 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.