Post Doc Fellow w/Ret

Job Summary

The College of Social Work at the University of Utah invites applications for a full-time Postdoctoral Research Associate to join a growing portfolio of projects focused on infant and early childhood mental health (IECMH), trauma-informed education, and statewide workforce development initiatives. The position is jointly supported by the College of Social Work and externally funded projects, providing flexibility for the fellow to contribute across multiple studies and evaluations while developing a portfolio of scholarship aligned with their interests and career goals.

Under the mentorship of Dr. Alysse Loomis, the postdoctoral fellow will contribute to several ongoing studies and evaluations aimed at strengthening trauma-informed practices across early childhood systems, including teacher training innovations, statewide workforce initiatives, and IECMH-focused evaluation partnerships. This position offers advanced training in applied research, project management, data analysis, and grant development, with opportunities to lead and co-author manuscripts using existing data, contribute to ongoing grant development and new funding proposals, and mentor/ supervise undergraduate and graduate researchers. The postdoc will also have protected time for professional development and independent scholarship aligned with trauma-informed intervention or early childhood workforce topics.

While preference will be given to successful candidates who can be present on the University of Utah’s Salt Lake City campus, consideration will also be given to successful candidates who would reside and work remotely unless otherwise notified. A successful candidate hired into this position and located remotely will be responsible for providing their own work space, telephone, printing, networking and/or internet capabilities at the telecommute location and agree to the terms of the University of Utah campus and Health Academics faculty code and other relevant agreements.

Responsibilities

Research & Evaluation (≈75-80%)

• Manage research and evaluation activities for state- and federally funded early childhood mental health program evaluations, potentially including Utah’s Training & Teleconsultation Program (TTP) funded through the Office of Substance Use and Mental Health and the Trauma Program for Young Children funded through the National Child Traumatic Stress Initiative (NCTSI/SAMHSA), both in partnership with The Children’s Center Utah. Responsibilities include data management, data analysis, preparing quarterly and annual reports, and translating findings for funders and community partners.
• Contribute across a portfolio of ongoing and emerging research projects supported by internal and foundation funding that advance trauma-informed and workforce-focused innovations in early childhood settings (e.g., game-based trauma-informed teacher training prototypes, trauma-informed teaching observational measure development). Responsibilities may include secondary data analysis, manuscript development, measure development and validation, study design, and dissemination activities, with an emphasis on moving existing projects toward publication and positioning emerging projects for future federal and foundation funding submissions (e.g., NIH, Spencer). Additional responsibilities may include:
  
  • Develop summaries and visualizations to communicate findings to non-academic audiences.
  • Contribute to ongoing grant writing and development across the research portfolio, contributing to methods, measures, and analytic plans for federal (e.g., NIH, SAMHSA) and foundation (e.g., WT Grant, Spencer) submissions.
  • Supervise and mentor research assistants, coordinate with community partners and evaluation teams.
  • Co-author peer-reviewed manuscripts, policy briefs, and conference presentations.

Professional Development & Independent Scholarship (≈20-25%)

• Pursue independent or secondary analyses related to IECMH systems, trauma-informed workforce supports, or implementation science.
• Participate in structured mentorship around grant writing, project leadership, and research-practice partnerships.
• Engage in statewide and national learning networks (e.g., National Child Traumatic Stress Initiative Evaluation Community of Practice, Utah Early Childhood Mental Health Workforce).
• Develop mentoring, and supervision skills through collaboration with undergraduate and graduate trainees.
• Attend trainings and conferences as relevant to position and career goals.

Required Qualifications

• PhD (or ABD with degree expected to be completed by the position start date) in Social Work, Psychology, Human Development, Public Health, Education, or a closely related field.
• Strong analytic and data management skills (e.g., SPSS, R, Stata, Excel).
• Demonstrated experience in data cleaning, reporting, and applied program evaluation.
• Excellent writing skills for academic, grant, and practitioner audiences.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects independently and collaboratively.

Training & Mentorship

The postdoctoral scholar will receive structured mentorship from Dr. Loomis and collaborators in: IECMH and trauma-informed workforce development, Data management and program evaluation, Grant and manuscript writing, Leadership within interdisciplinary, community-engaged research teams. The postdoc will have protected time for independent scholarship, professional development, and engagement with statewide and national IECMH networks.

Minimum Qualifications

Preferences

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of infant and early childhood mental health systems or trauma-informed practice.
• Experience working with community or state partners on evaluation or workforce initiatives.
• Familiarity with mixed-methods approaches, measure development, or validation studies.
• Proficiency with tools such as Qualtrics, Dedoose, or data visualization platforms.
• Experience contributing to or drafting federal or foundation grant proposals.
• Experience supervising and mentoring undergraduate and graduate students in research.
• Commitment to community-engaged research.

Special Instructions Summary

With your application, please include:

• Cover letter
• CV
• 2-3 writing samples (applicant should be lead or sole author or articulate primary role)
• 2-3 professional references

Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. Inquiries regarding the position may be directed to Dr. Alysse Loomis at alysse.loomis@utah.edu.

Additional Information

The University is a participating employer with Utah Retirement Systems (“URS”). Eligible new hires with prior URS service, may elect to enroll in URS if they make the election before they become eligible for retirement (usually the first day of work). Contact Human Resources at (801) 581-7447 for information. Individuals who previously retired and are receiving monthly retirement benefits from URS are subject to URS’ post-retirement rules and restrictions. Please contact Utah Retirement Systems at (801) 366-7770 or (800) 695-4877 or University Human Resource Management at (801) 581-7447 if you have questions regarding the post-retirement rules.

This position may require the successful completion of a criminal background check and/or drug screen.

The University of Utah values candidates who have experience working in settings with students and possess a strong commitment to improving access to higher education.

Veterans’ preference is extended to qualified applicants, upon request and consistent with University policy and Utah state law. Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process will be provided to individuals with disabilities.

Consistent with state and federal law, the University of Utah does not discriminate based upon race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, or protected veteran’s status. The University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX and 34 CFR part 106. The requirement not to discriminate in education programs or activities extends to admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and its regulations may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, to the Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, or both.

To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability or if you or someone you know has experienced discrimination or sexual misconduct including sexual harassment, you may contact the Director/Title IX Coordinator in the Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX (OEO). More information, including the Director/Title IX Coordinator’s office address, electronic mail address, and telephone number can be located at the: University of Utah Non‑Discrimination page.

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As per University of Utah policy 5-108: Transfer of Benefits Eligible Staff Members, a new hire to the University of Utah who is still serving a 12 month probationary period will not be hired into another University of Utah job (a transfer) until the successful completion of the probationary period.