Postdoctoral Scholar-Health Sciences Research Institute

Position overview

Position title: Postdoctoral Scholar

Salary range: See Table 23 for the salary range for this position. A reasonable estimate for this position is $69,073 - $82,836.

Percent time: 100%

Anticipated start: Open until filled.

Position duration: 2 years

Open date: May 14, 2026

Most recent review date: Monday, Jun 1, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)

Applications received after this date will be reviewed by the search committee if the position has not yet been filled.

Final date: Tuesday, Dec 1, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)

Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.

The Nicotine and Cannabis Policy Center (NCPC) at UC Merced seeks a postdoctoral scholar who will be well-positioned to become a leader in the development and implementation of substance use research in tobacco prevention and control, public policy, and public health. The Scholar will work under the supervision of Drs. Durazo and Yen and will have the opportunity to coordinate research and collaborative projects with the engagement of undergraduate and doctoral student research assistants to conduct coding and analyses of data.

For more on NCPC, visit the NCPC website.

Specifically, we seek a scholar with a strong commitment to community-engaged and transdisciplinary research with a background in health, social, behavioral, and/or policy sciences and with experience in qualitative and quantitative research methods. The Scholar will employ multiple social scientific methods, will have opportunities to collect data and conduct statistical analysis of large-scale data.

• PhD or ScD in Health/Public Policy, Public Health, or related social, behavioral, or population science field at the time of appointment. Applicants may have no more than four years of postdoctoral research experience.
• Strong research skills and substantive background in rural health, social policy, or related areas.
• Strong methodological and data analysis skills (quantitative, qualitative methods).
• Highly self-motivated individuals who have demonstrated the ability to conduct independent and collaborative scientific research.
• Willingness to mentor and assist undergraduate and graduate research assistants.
• Excellent communication skills and be able to work well as part of a team.
• Evidence of scholarly productivity, such as peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations, or related scholarly activities.
• Experience conducting or collaborating on health equity and rural health research studies, particularly investigations with a community-engaged component.

• Quantitative skills:
  Proficiency in statistical software (e.g., R, SAS, STATA) for data management and analysis.
• Experience integrating quantitative survey findings with qualitative data and/or policy analysis.

• Demonstrated research competence in areas aligned with tobacco control, such as public health policy, health inequities and community health, and/or epidemiological methods or data science related to health inequities.

• Curriculum Vitae
  - Your most recently updated C.V.
• Cover Letter
• Authorization to Release Information Form
  - As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct. "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment or discrimination, as defined by the employer.
  
  Required Authorization of Information Release may be found at the linked page. Please complete, sign, and upload the required Authorization of Information Release to your application.

• 3 required (contact information only)

Please provide contact information for three references.

Help contact: violetarios

As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct.

"Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct…