Postdoctoral Scholar-Health Sciences Research Institute

Position overview

Position title: Postdoctoral Scholar Salary range: See Table 23 for the salary range for this position. A reasonable estimate for this position is $69,073 - $82,836. Percent time: 100% Anticipated start: Open until filled. Position duration: 2 years

Application Window

Open date: May 14, 2026

Next review date: Monday, Jun 1, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.

Final date: Tuesday, Dec 1, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.

Position description

The Nicotine and Cannabis Policy Center (NCPC) at UC Merced seeks a postdoctoral scholar who will be well-positioned to become a leader in the development and implementation of substance use research in tobacco prevention and control, public policy, and public health. The Scholar will work under the supervision of Drs. Durazo and Yen and will have the opportunity to coordinate research and collaborative projects with the engagement of undergraduate and doctoral student research assistants to conduct coding and analyses of data. For more on NCPC, visit the NCPC website.
Specifically, we seek a scholar with a strong commitment to community-engaged and transdisciplinary research with a background in health, social, behavioral, and/or policy sciences and with experience in qualitative and quantitative research methods. The Scholar will employ multiple social scientific methods, will have opportunities to collect data and conduct statistical analysis of large-scale data.

Qualifications

Basic qualifications

* PhD or ScD in Health/Public Policy, Public Health, or related social, behavioral, or population science field at the time of appointment. Applicants may have no more than four years of postdoctoral research experience.
* Strong research skills and substantive background in rural health, social policy, or related areas.
* Strong methodological and data analysis skills (quantitative, qualitative methods).
* Highly self-motivated individuals who have demonstrated the ability to conduct independent and collaborative scientific research.
* Willingness to mentor and assist undergraduate and graduate research assistants.
* Excellent communication skills and be able to work well as part of a team.
* Evidence of scholarly productivity, such as peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations, or related scholarly activities.
* Experience conducting or collaborating on health equity and rural health research studies, particularly investigations with a community-engaged component.

Additional qualifications

Quantitative skills: Proficiency in statistical software (e.g., R, SAS, STATA) for data management and analysis.

Experience integrating quantitative survey findings with qualitative data and/or policy analysis.

Preferred qualifications

Demonstrated research competence in areas aligned with tobacco control, such as public health policy, health inequities and community health, and/or epidemiological methods or data science related to health inequities.

Application Requirements

Document requirements

• Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.

• Cover Letter

• Authorization to Release Information Form - As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct.

  "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment or discrimination, as defined by the employer.

  Required Authorization of Information Release may be found at the linked page. Please complete, sign, and upload the required Authorization of Information Release to your application.

Reference requirements

• 3 required (contact information only)

Please provide contact information for three references.

Apply link:

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About UC Merced

As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct.

"Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment or discrimination, as defined by the employer.

Please complete, sign, and upload the required Authorization of Information Release to your application: Required Authorization of Information Release Form.

Candidates must possess valid authorization to work in the United States. UC Merced is not currently able to sponsor individuals residing outside the United States who would require a new H-1B visa for employment. Applicants who do not hold valid U.S. work authorization are presently ineligible for this position.

Additional links: UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy, the UC Anti-Discrimination Policy, and APM 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment.

The University of California, Merced, is the newest of the University of California system's 10 campuses. Ranked as one of the best public universities in the nation by U.S. News and World Report and recently designated as an R1 institution by Carnegie, UC Merced is committed to innovation and excellence in research. With over 9,000 undergraduate and graduate students (Center of Institutional Effectiveness), UC Merced provides outstanding, inclusive educational opportunities to highly qualified students from the heart of California, the nation, and abroad. The campus has special connections to nearby Yosemite National Park; is on the cutting edge of sustainability in construction and design; and supports the economic development of Central California.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.

As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements. This includes the University of California Policy on Vaccination Programs.

Job location

Merced, CA

Required

Preferred

Job Industries

• Other