Postdoctoral Fellowship in Developmental Psychopathology and Epigenomics

Postdoctoral Fellowship in Developmental Psychopathology and Epigenomics

Location: Philadelphia, PA

Open Date: Apr 09, 2026

The University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education (Penn GSE) invites applications for a postdoctoral fellowship in Family Processes, Developmental Psychopathology, and Epigenomics. This two-year, full-time position is expected to begin July 1, 2026, though the start date is flexible (July-September).

The postdoctoral fellow will collaborate closely with Dr. Justin Parent and his team on research projects centered on family processes, epigenetics, and child sleep health. The fellow will assist with data analysis and manuscript preparation related to parenting, sleep, and child DNA methylation. They will lead a research team launching a new NHLBI-funded R01 that will integrate passive sensing, daily diaries, observational assessments, multi-informant surveys, and epigenomic data. The fellow will allocate 50% of their time to manuscript writing, data analysis, and grant proposal development, and the remaining 50% to project management and mentoring graduate and undergraduate students. This is an in-person position based in Philadelphia with flexibility for hybrid work.

Please note that this role is contingent upon grant funding.

Qualifications

The successful candidate will possess/demonstrate:

• A completed doctoral degree in human development, child clinical psychology, epigenomics, or a related field is required by the start date.
• Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills
• Highly valued qualities include strong academic writing skills and experience in effective interdisciplinary collaboration.
• Evidence of prior experience with one of the core lab domains (i.e., parenting, sleep, epigenomics, child development & health).

Application Instructions

Applications should be submitted through Interfolio and must include the following materials:

• A one-page cover letter
• Curriculum vitae
• Contact information for three references

Review of applications will begin on May 1, 2026, and continue until the position is filled.