"FELLOW, POST DOCTORAL"

Hiring Department

The Department of Psychological Sciences in the College of Arts & Science at the University of Missouri-Columbia

Job Description

The Department of Psychological Sciences at the University of Missouri invites applications for a full-time post-doctoral fellow to support the laboratory of Dr. Timothy Trull. The position is initially for two years, with the opportunity for renewal for following years.

The post-doctoral fellow will be responsible for conducting and/or coordinating a new NIAAA R01 study aimed at examining drinking behaviors in young adults over the course of legal drinking transition (age 20.5 years to age 21.5). The post-doctoral fellow will assist the project investigators, especially Drs. Trull and Lane, in all aspects of the study. This Fellow will help oversee recruitment, data collection, data cleaning, data analysis, and manuscript preparation.

In addition, this post-doctoral fellow will assist in analyzing data from a soon-to-be completed NIAAA R01 study that examines drinking behaviors in heavier drinking young adults (ages 21-19) over the course of one year.

Finally, the fellow will assist in projects related to mHealth here at Mizzou, including (for example): (a) validating psychophysiological sensors by comparing laboratory data acquisition to that obtained in the field; (b) testing and validating passive sensing measures from the smartphone, and integrating this into the TigerAware software platform; and (c) providing expertise and training in the use of the TigerAware platform, data cleaning, and data analysis of mHealth data.

Both R01 studies use multiple methods of data collection including ambulatory assessment and passive sensing. The older R01 also includes lab assessments (behavior tasks and EEG), alcohol administration, and genetic data.

Postdoctoral candidates will be trained on how to conduct state-of-the-art research on these topics, preparing and submitting grant proposals, publishing, and establishing themselves as independent investigators. This position is an excellent opportunity for scholars who are looking to become more competitive on the job market for tenure-track faculty positions. The ideal candidate will have knowledge/expertise in: (1) ambulatory assessment/EMA; (2) data analytic skills for intensive longitudinal data, including app based surveys, phone sensor data, and external sensor data; (3) R, SAS, and/or MPlus software packages; and (4) working well with teams of scientists.

An ideal candidate would begin by June 2026.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications: A PhD in Psychology or related fields is required by the start of appointment.

Candidates will be evaluated on experience in longitudinal data analysis; EMA/ambulatory assessment, publishing scientific work, good communication and presentation skills, and an ability to work within a research group.

Application Materials

Application materials should include a cover letter, a description of research experiences and interests, and a CV including a list of publications and references. Screening will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

Application Deadline

The search committee will begin reviewing applications in February, 2026. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. The expected start date is June 2026.

Applicants may contact Dr. Tim Trull (trullt@umsystem.edu) with questions about the job duties. Contact Amy Gunn (amy.gunn@missouri.edu) for any questions about the application process.

Sponsorship Information

Visa Sponsorship Information: Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States. The University will not sponsor applicants for this position for employment visas.

Benefit Eligibility

This position is eligible for University benefits. As part of your total compensation, the University offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental and vision plans, retirement, and educational fee discounts for all four UM System campuses. For additional information on University benefits, please visit the Faculty & Staff Benefits website at https://www.umsystem.edu/totalrewards/benefits.