Post-Doctoral Associate

Position Overview

Dr. Xiaoran Sun, Assistant Professor in the Department of Family Social Science, is seeking a Post-Doctoral Associate to join her Technology, Teens, and Families Lab (https://techteenfamily.wixsite.com/lab-website) at the University of Minnesota. Dr. Sun's research focuses on how parents and adolescents use digital technologies and how their technology use impacts their relationships and well-being, and on the application of machine learning in family and developmental research. The Post-Doc will contribute to Dr. Sun's research studies, including the UMN Teen Social Media Study which is an R01 grant funded by the National Institute of Mental Health. Additionally, they will assist with writing manuscripts and supporting grant proposals.

This position is designed to provide post-doctorate training and mentorship to an individual in preparation for an academic career. As a Post-Doctoral Associate appointment, this position is limited to a period of up to three to five years, depending on training needs and funding available.

The University of Minnesota encourages a healthy work life balance for employees. CEHD is committed to an excellent employee experience, offering a flexible work environment that meets the needs of students, staff, faculty, and the communities we serve. Flexible work arrangements may include flexibility in schedule and/or work location. Please note that 100% remote work requires approval prior to offer.

Job Responsibilities

Data management and analysis (40%)

• Establish data management infrastructure
• Develop methods for database development and management
• Organize, clean and score data
• Interpret results with regard to study goals and hypotheses
• Troubleshoot and problem solve data management issues as they arise
• Process, analyze, interpret and synthesize data in order to draw written conclusions and prepare for peer-reviewed publications

Writing and dissemination of findings (40%)

• Lead writing progress reports, summary reports, research briefs, and manuscripts for publications
• Communicate data analysis results via written reports and presentations to other member of the research team and scientific communities
• Support development of research proposals, including contributing to grant writing
• Present research findings at local and national conferences

Research Implementation (15%)

• Participate in the design and execution of research project protocols
• Develop experimental procedures
• Collaborate with the PI and study team to support IRB procedures including writing protocols, consents, submitting modifications, etc.
• Contribute to participant recruitment and data collection

Other Duties as assigned (5%)

• Participate in regular team meetings
• Complete required and ongoing training to support executing work tasks
• Attend mentorship meetings with Dr. Sun and/or other faculty mentors

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D. in related field (e.g. family social science, human development and family studies, psychology, child psychology, sociology, or related field)
• Ability to collaborate effectively with people from a variety of communities, backgrounds, and identities.
• Experience with longitudinal data management and analysis
• Experience with research on adolescents and/or families
• Familiarity with Qualtrics, REDCap, R, Python, and/or other data collection and analytic tools

Preferred Qualifications

• Interests in understanding the patterns and understanding of adolescent digital technology use
• Demonstrated ability to strategically develop, implement and maintain a data management plan
• Strong organizational skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication with diverse audiences
• Proactive problem-solving skills
• Grant writing experiences
• Undergraduate mentoring experiences

Department Overview

The Department of Family Social Science (FSoS) prepares students to use research to discover and apply knowledge, build interpersonal communication skills, and develop personally and professionally. Considered one of the premier family departments in the United States and globally, our history reaches back to the very first classes taught at the University of Minnesota in 1884. We are leaders in community-based participatory research to develop community-based programs and educational models. We are dedicated to increasing equity, diversity, and inclusion across our academic programs, within our faculty, and in teaching and learning, research, outreach and engagement, and clinical practice.

College Overview

The College of Education and Human Development (CEHD), the third largest college at the University, contributes to a just and sustainable future through engagement with the local and global communities to enhance human learning and development at all stages of the life span. We know diversity is necessary to do our best work and foster our humanity. That's why the CEHD community is collectively dedicated to cultivating an inclusive and equitable environment, embracing and celebrating all identities of our students, staff, and faculty. These values are also a moral imperative requiring continuous proactive measures and a firm stance against prejudice, discrimination, and systemic injustice. https://www.cehd.umn.edu/

Pay Range: The salary range for this position is $61,008 annually. Final salary offers are dependent on the candidate's experience, skills, and internal equity within the department.

Please visit the Benefits for Postdoctoral Candidates website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training
• Medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will have the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume. Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

Candidates are encouraged to provide a cover letter, CV/resume and two reference letters with their application materials.

*To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-UOHR (8647).

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu.

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.