Postdoctoral Research Position in Behavioral Science related to Insurance

Job Description

The Center for Insurance Policy and Research (CIPR) at the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) is seeking applicants postdoctoral research position in behavioral science related to insurance. This is a full-time/temporary remote position based out of our Kansas City, MO, USA, office with potential consideration for New York City or Washington, DC offices. The position is one yearwith the possibility of extending for an additional year based on first year evaluation.

CIPR seeks a behavioral science researcher who examines and analyzes human behavior to understand the psychological, social, and environmental factors that influence decision‑making. We welcome applicants from behavioral science, economics, communication, risk management and insurance, and related disciplines. Research experience and/or interests should be related to one or more of the following insurance issues: catastrophe and climate risk, broad issues of availability and affordability/cost, policyholder protection gaps and purchase decisions, artificial intelligence, data privacy and cyber risk;

health and long‑term care. Successful candidates will have experience designing and conducting research using quantitative, qualitative, or mixed methods approaches. Relevant methods may include surveys, experiments, focus groups, interviews, content analysis, behavioral data analysis, or field research. A clear and concise presentation of research results in both written and oral form is expected. Candidates should have strong skills in data analysis.

CIPR offers a unique opportunity to conduct applied research with meaningful public policy implications while remaining connected to the scholarly community. Postdoctoral fellows work closely with CIPR researchers and NAIC staff on ongoing projects while also having dedicated time to pursue their own related research interests. Researchers are encouraged to publish their work in peer‑reviewed journals, present at academic conferences, develop collaborations with external scholars, and contribute to interdisciplinary conversations about communication, risk, consumer behavior, and public policy.

We plan to undertake first-round interviews by October 2026. Tentative Start date January 2027.

Applicants must have a Ph.D. (expected completion by the fall of 2026 is acceptable) from an accredited institution in a related field such as behavioral science, decision science, economics, communication, or risk management and insurance within the past two years. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Compensation $83,500 - $88,000, commensurate with education and experience.

For over 150years, the NAIC has served insurance commissioners and their staff as a nexus for innovation and a hub of resources for insurance departments to draw upon. We are currently in year two of a three-year strategic plan for the NAIC's future with a focus on pushing forward numerous initiatives along six key focus areas:
Member Connectivity;
Training, Expertise, and Technology;
Data and Analytics;
Consumer Education, Outreach, and Advocacy;
Committee Governance and Management; and NAIC Operations. Since
2011 the Center for Insurance Policy and Research has provided research and education to drive discussion and advance thought leadership as well as action on current and emerging insurance issues of interest to insurance regulators, policymakers, industry, and academia. This effort has been accomplished through our events, research reports, newsletter, research library collection and knowledge distribution sources, and research published in the NAIC’s Journal of Insurance Regulation.

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