About this role
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:
CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click “Apply” and complete the application process for external applicants.
Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.
This is a term position; length of the term will be discussed during the interview process. Continuation past the term length discussed will be based on university need, performance, and/or availability of funding.
POSITION SPECIFICS
The Collaborative on Population Aging Disparities and the Population Research Institute at The Pennsylvania State University anticipates an opening for a Postdoctoral Scholar in Emerging Disparities in Population Health, starting on or around July 1, 2026, contingent on funding availability. The Postdoctoral Scholar will devote time to independent research, collaborations with faculty mentors, and mentored training and professionalization.
Applicants must have a Ph.D. in a social science field such as sociology, demography, gerontology, human development and family studies, anthropology, economics, public policy, criminology, biobehavioral health, geography, or related fields using social science approaches (e.g., epidemiology) by the start date, and have training and research experience in substantive demographic topics or demographic methods, especially as they are relevant to aging and population health disparities. Additionally, applicants must demonstrate interest and capacity for independent research, evidence or clear plans for an emerging publication record, have outstanding writing and communication skills, and be able to work effectively on a team.
Screening of applications will begin on February 17, 2026 and continue until the position is filled.
Application Materials: Applicants are requested to submit the following:
A letter of application
A research statement describing:
research interests and career plan
planned research during the postdoctoral period
proposed postdoctoral faculty mentor(s) at Penn State selected from the following list: https://demography.psu.edu/faculty-by-discipline/
A Curriculum Vitae.
Two examples of written work (examples include publications, articles in review, or dissertation chapters).
List of 3 references (name, current position title, e-mail address).
System limitations allow for a total of 5 documents (5mb per document) as part of your application. Please combine materials to meet the 5-document limit. Candidates should direct questions to Dr. Ashton Verdery ([email protected]).
BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES
Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.
BENEFITS
Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional well-being.
For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page. (Note: For Postdoctoral benefits, please see our Postdoctoral Benefits page.)
CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS
Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.
EEO IS THE LAW
Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.
Other facts
About Penn State University
The Applied Research Laboratory at Penn State University is an integral part of one of the leading research universities in the nation. ARL-Penn State supports national security, economic competitiveness, and quality of life through Education; Scientific discovery; Technology demonstration; and Transition to application. As a designated University Affiliated Research Center (UARC), ARL-Penn State conducts essential research, development, and systems engineering in support of our nations priorities free from conflict of interest or competition with commercial industry.
What you'll do
- The Postdoctoral Scholar will engage in independent research and collaborate with faculty mentors. They will also receive mentored training and professionalization.
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