Rural Health Policy PostDoc

The School of Public Health Division of Health Policy and Management is seeking applications for a full-time Rural Health Policy Post-Doctoral Associate (9546 Post-doctoral Associate).

Paid at the NIH standard postdoctoral salary ($62,232 USD annually in 2025).

The University of Minnesota endorses a “Work. With Flexibility.” and we offer a flexible work environment that meets the needs of our students, faculty, staff, and partners we serve. This position offers the option for remote or hybrid work. Work arrangements will be discussed during the interview. Onsite location:
Rural Health Research Center, 2221 University Ave. SE, Suite 350, Minneapolis TC Campus - East-bank.

We are currently accepting applications for one rural health policy postdoctoral associate position beginning on or after September 1, 2026. There is some flexibility regarding the start date.

The focus of the current position is on childbirth-related care and the health and well-being of rural residents who are pregnant and those who give birth, as well as their infants. The supervisor for this postdoctoral associate will be RHRC Co-Director, Dr. Katy Backes Kozhimannil.

We will begin reviewing applications following the application due date:
Friday, March 13, 2026.

At the University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center (RHRC), we conduct policy-relevant research to improve the lives of rural residents and families, to advance population health, and to enhance the vitality of rural communities. The Rural Health Policy Postdoctoral Program supports professional development of researchers as they pursue the following goals:

• Conduct research to inform the development, implementation, and evaluation of health policies that advance population health, with a focus on rural communities.
• Utilize quantitative methods, data management and analysis skills, and large secondary datasets, and collaborate with a multidisciplinary team on rapid-turnaround policy-relevant research products.
• Study the impacts of policies that affect health care access, quality of care, and population health outcomes across the lifespan.
• Conduct research that centers rural communities, and communicate findings to policymakers and the general public, highlighting the way that policy decisions can influence individual, family, and community health in rural areas.

The primary goal of this program is to train scholars who will become innovative research leaders in rural health. The postdoc will receive mentorship and support from the RHRC leadership and staff and closely collaborate on projects.

The postdoc will be expected to be a core member of a research team for a one-year national-scope rural health-focused project (Sep–Aug) that is funded by the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy. During the first year of the program, the postdoc will have an opportunity to provide input to shape a one-year project to be implemented during the second year of the program.

Results from these two projects will be published as peer-reviewed manuscripts and/or publicly available policy briefs, and disseminated at rural-relevant conferences.

The postdoc will also be expected to develop and implement an independent rural health policy research project or analysis that is relevant for rural people or communities in Minnesota. The specific focus and methodology of this project will depend on the expertise and interest of the postdoc, but may include quantitative analysis, qualitative data collection and analysis, and/or policy- or community-engaged work.

This is a two-year position, with the second year of funding being contingent on successful completion of the first. This is a 100% FTE position over a 2-year period using standard NIH postdoctoral salary; professional development funds to attend a training or national conference each year are also available.

Postdocs must have (or will complete before the scheduled start date) the following requirements:

• Graduated from a doctoral program with a focus in health policy, public health, demography, geography, sociology, public policy, or a closely-related discipline.
• Training and demonstrated excellence in…