Job Summary
The College of Social Work at the University of Utah invites
applications for a full-time Postdoctoral Research Associate to
join a growing portfolio of projects focused on infant and early
childhood mental health (IECMH), trauma-informed education, and
statewide workforce development initiatives. The position is
jointly supported by the College of Social Work and externally
funded projects, providing flexibility for the fellow to contribute
across multiple studies and evaluations while developing a
portfolio of scholarship aligned with their interests and career
goals.
Under the mentorship of Dr. Alysse Loomis, the postdoctoral fellow
will contribute to several ongoing studies and evaluations aimed at
strengthening trauma-informed practices across early childhood
systems, including teacher training innovations, statewide
workforce initiatives, and IECMH-focused evaluation partnerships.
This position offers advanced training in applied research, project
management, data analysis, and grant development, with
opportunities to lead and co-author manuscripts using existing
data, contribute to ongoing grant development and new funding
proposals, and mentor/ supervise undergraduate and graduate
researchers. The postdoc will also have protected time for
professional development and independent scholarship aligned with
trauma-informed intervention or early childhood workforce
topics.
While preference will be given to successful candidates who can be
present on the University of Utah's Salt Lake City campus,
consideration will also be given to successful candidates who would
reside and work remotely unless otherwise notified. A successful
candidate hired into this position and located remotely will be
responsible for providing their own work space, telephone,
printing, networking and/or internet capabilities at the
telecommute location and agree to the terms of the University of
Utah campus and Health Academics faculty code and other relevant
agreements.
Responsibilities
Research & Evaluation (≈75-80%)
Manage research and evaluation activities for state- and federally funded early childhood mental health program evaluations , potentially including Utah's Training & Teleconsultation Program (TTP) funded through the Office of Substance Use and Mental Health and the Trauma Program for Young Children funded through the National Child Traumatic Stress Initiative (NCTSI/SAMHSA), both in partnership with The Children's Center Utah. Responsibilities include data management, data analysis, preparing…
quarterly and annual reports, and translating findings for funders and community partners.
Contribute across a portfolio of ongoing and emerging
research projects supported by internal and foundation
funding that advance trauma-informed and workforce-focused
innovations in early childhood settings (e.g., game-based
trauma-informed teacher training prototypes,
trauma-informed teaching observational measure
development). Responsibilities may include secondary data
analysis, manuscript development, measure development and
validation, study design, and dissemination activities, with an
emphasis on moving existing projects toward publication and
positioning emerging projects for future federal and foundation
funding submissions (e.g., NIH, Spencer). Additional
responsibilities may include:
- Develop summaries and visualizations to communicate findings to
non-academic audiences.
- Contribute to ongoing grant writing and development across the
research portfolio, contributing to methods, measures, and analytic
plans for federal (e.g., NIH, SAMHSA) and foundation (e.g., WT
Grant, Spencer) submissions.
- Supervise and mentor research assistants, coordinate with
community partners and evaluation teams.
- Co-author peer-reviewed manuscripts, policy briefs, and
conference presentations.
Professional Development & Independent Scholarship
(≈20-25%)
- Pursue independent or secondary analyses related to IECMH
systems, trauma-informed workforce supports, or implementation
science.
- Participate in structured mentorship around grant writing,
project leadership, and research-practice partnerships.
- Engage in statewide and national learning networks (e.g.,
National Child Traumatic Stress Initiative Evaluation Community of
Practice, Utah Early Childhood Mental Health Workforce).
- Develop mentoring, and supervision skills through collaboration
with undergraduate and graduate trainees.
- Attend trainings and conferences as relevant to position and
career goals.
Required Qualifications
- PhD (or ABD with degree expected to be completed by the
position start date) in Social Work, Psychology, Human Development,
Public Health, Education, or a closely related field.
- Strong analytic and data management skills (e.g., SPSS, R,
Stata, Excel).
- Demonstrated experience in data cleaning, reporting, and
applied program evaluation.
- Excellent writing skills for academic, grant, and practitioner
audiences.
- Proven ability to manage multiple projects independently and
collaboratively.
Training & Mentorship
The postdoctoral
scholar will receive structured mentorship from Dr. Loomis and
collaborators in: IECMH and trauma-informed workforce development,
Data management and program evaluation, Grant and manuscript
writing, Leadership within interdisciplinary, community-engaged
research teams. The postdoc will have protected time for
independent scholarship, professional development, and engagement
with statewide and national IECMH networks.
Minimum Qualifications
Preferences
Preferred Qualifications
- Knowledge of infant and early childhood mental health systems
or trauma-informed practice.
- Experience working with community or state partners on
evaluation or workforce initiatives.
- Familiarity with mixed-methods approaches, measure development,
or validation studies.
- Proficiency with tools such as Qualtrics, Dedoose, or data
visualization platforms.
- Experience contributing to or drafting federal or foundation
grant proposals.
- Experience supervising and mentoring undergraduate and graduate
students in research.
- Commitment to community-engaged research.
Special Instructions
With your application, please include:
- Cover letter
- CV
- 2-3 writing samples (applicant should be lead or sole author or
articulate primary role)
- 2-3 professional references
Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue
until the position is filled. Inquiries regarding the position may
be directed to Dr. Alysse Loomis at alysse.loomis@utah.edu.
Requisition Number: PRN46091B
Full Time or Part Time? Full Time
Work Schedule Summary: This is an 18-month position,
beginning January 1, 2027.
Department: 01657 - CSW TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH
Location: Campus
Pay Rate Range: 68,000-70,000
Close Date: 12/01/2026
Open Until Filled:
To apply, visit https://utah.peopleadmin.com/postings/208914
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