Postdoctoral Research Associate

This postdoctoral position is managed through a separate application portal and is shared here to increase visibility. If you are interested, please submit your application through https://apply.interfolio.com/183657 by May 1, 2026. Applications submitted through this posting will not be reviewed.

The Sociology department at the University of Notre Dame, with the support of Notre Dame Population Analytics, invites applications for a Postdoctoral Fellowship on a funded, multi-year project studying geographic and social determinants of mental health across the United States. The project combines novel data sources with administrative, demographic, and spatial datasets to study how community context shapes mental health outcomes. The project is led by Dr. Daniel Tadmon and Dr. Molly Copeland.

We are looking for an intellectually curious researcher with strong data management and quantitative analysis skills in R and/or Python, clear writing, and the ability to translate technical analysis into substantive sociological contributions. The Fellow will collaborate closely on data analysis, literature development, and the co-authorship of research articles. The project's analytic pipeline involves spatial and computational methods. While hands-on experience with geospatial analysis is a plus, candidates should be comfortable working with large datasets and eager to develop fluency in new methods.

The Fellow will also have the opportunity to develop independent research questions within the project's framework, contribute to theoretical development, and present at national conferences.

Duration: 2 years. The position is scheduled to begin in the Summer of 2026, with some flexibility. Location: Position based at the University of Notre Dame with potential for hybrid arrangements for qualified U.S.-based candidates. Salary range: $70,000. The position includes a comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance and access to university resources.

Applicants must have a PhD in sociology or a related field by the time of position start. Applicants should submit a 1) 2-page cover letter indicating their interest in the project and how their skills or perspective might contribute to it; 2) CV; 3) research statement (2-3 pages, describing their dissertation project, works in progress, professional goals and plans, with an emphasis on quantitative analysis); 4) one writing sample (sole-authored, ideally); and 5) three letters of reference.

The University of Notre Dame seeks to attract, develop, and retain the highest quality faculty, staff and administration. The University is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or age in employment. Moreover, Notre Dame prohibits discrimination against veterans or disabled qualified individuals, and complies with 41 CFR 60-741.5(a) and 41 CFR 60-300.5(a). We strongly encourage applications from candidates attracted to a university with a Catholic identity.