Postdoctoral Researcher

University of Kansas, United States

Updated: about 2 months ago
Location: Lawrence, KANSAS

30556BR

Bureau of Child Research


Position Overview

The KU Center for Community Health and Development seeks a highly qualified early career behavioral-community or public health scientist as a Post-Doctoral Fellow in Community Youth Development and Prevention. We seek a scholar with experience and interest in promoting positive youth development and/or violence prevention, particularly with youth and urban communities. The position will be affiliated with the Youth Violence Prevention Center- Kansas City. The successful candidate must demonstrate experience in community-based participatory research and evaluation, mixed methods research, and project administration. Trainees will receive direct, hands-on experience conducting participatory research through the Youth Violence Prevention Center- Kansas City. There will be significant emphasis on professional development, including training on starting and running an independent research line, writing manuscripts for publication, disseminating results, and grant writing.

The position will be a part-time (.80 FTE) research dedicated fellowship of up to one year with the possibility of a second year upon mutual agreement and availability of funds. The successful candidate is expected to work to increase extramural funding within those two years. The one-year position, contingent on renewed funding, will begin in June 2025. The KU Center for Community Health and Development provides a supportive working environment, competitive benefits, and the opportunity to work with a committed team of academic and community partners.


Job Description

35% Support scholarly writing, including writing and submitting manuscripts for publication, as well as grant-writing and development to maintain and secure funding. Lead the development and dissemination of project reports and technical materials.

35% Lead, develop, and coordinate community-based research, evaluation and capacity-building projects with community initiatives supporting youth development and youth violence prevention efforts.  Monitor progress and assure attainment of grant/contract deliverables. Lead and coordinate a team of undergraduate and graduate student researchers supporting the projects. Conduct data collection methods and analyses. Lead and assure the development and maintenance of community partnerships, including facilitating meetings and communications with partners of the Youth Violence Prevention Center- Kansas City and the ThrYve Systems and Youth Advisory Board.

15% Develop, support, and pilot novel and innovative research studies (e.g., youth intentional injury repository) that align with research team interests and expands research opportunities with existing projects.

15% Develop, coordinate, and oversee technological supports for community-based research and evaluation projects with project staff and community partners. Coordinate technical assistance and supports with community partners in the development and use of online assessment and data collection systems, including the Check Box Community Evaluation System. Provide innovative approaches to address project-related technology needs and improve project functioning in research, evaluation, and/or capacity-building activities.


Required Qualifications

  • Doctorate in behavioral psychology, community psychology, prevention science, public health, community health, or another closely related field in the behavioral and social sciences.
  • At least three years of experience that required conducting research in the areas of positive youth development, adolescent substance abuse prevention and/or community and youth violence prevention, as evidenced by application materials.
  • At least three years of previous experience that required supporting participatory research or evaluation approaches with community-based partners, as evidenced by application materials.
  • At least one year previous experience that required providing capacity-building and/or evaluation training and technical supports for community initiatives and/or coalitions, as evidenced by application materials.
  • At least two years of experience that required working with groups and populations in urban communities, as evidenced by application materials.
  • Excellent written and interpersonal communication skills as evidenced by the application materials.

    • NOTE: To be appointed at the Postdoctoral Researcher title, it is necessary to have the PhD conferred at the time of hire. Appointments made without a diploma or certified transcript indicating an earned doctorate are conditional hires and are appointed on an interim basis not to exceed 6-months. Upon verification of degree the appointment will be extended to its full duration.


    Preferred Qualifications

  • Previous experience that required using and supporting web-based data collection and evaluation systems (e.g., Community Check Box Evaluation System), as evidenced by application materials.
  • Past work experience that required conducting mixed methods research to support community initiatives, as evidenced by application materials.
  • Evidence of contributions to scholarship including authored/co-authored publications in peer-reviewed journals.
  • Evidence of contributions to developing and disseminating technical materials and reports to community stakeholder audiences.

    • Additional Candidate Instruction

    A complete application will include the following:

    • Online Application
    • Letter of application that identifies professional and specific interests and background relevant to the position, including a brief statement of research interest/scholarship philosophy
    • Curriculum Vita
    • Two letters of reference

    Only complete applications will be considered.


     

    Application review begins Friday May 30th, 2025. For consideration, please apply no later than Thursday May 29th, 2025. 


    Advertised Salary Range

    $60,000-$70,000


    Application Review Begins

    30-May-2025


    Anticipated Start Date

    02-Jun-2025


    Limited Term End Date

    01-Jun-2026


    Primary Campus

    University of Kansas Lawrence Campus


    Employee Class

    U-Unclassified Professional Staff


    Work Schedule

    M-F, 32 hours weekly


    Conditions of Employment

    Contingent on Funding


    Work Location Assignment

    On-Site


    Disclaimer

    The University of Kansas prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, ancestry, disability, status as a veteran, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, gender identity, gender expression, and genetic information in the university's programs and activities. Retaliation is also prohibited by university policy. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies and is the Title IX coordinator for all KU and KUMC campuses: Associate Vice Chancellor for Civil Rights and Title IX, civilrights@ku.edu, Room 1082, Dole Human Development Center, 1000 Sunnyside Avenue, Lawrence, KS 66045, 785-864-6414, 711 TTY.


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