Virginia Tech School of Public and International Affairs

Job Description

Special Instructions to Applicants:

All interested applicants should attach a cover letter and resume in the Supporting Documents section of the application. We suggest the documents be in PDF format to avoid formatting issues. To be considered for this position, all supplemental questions must be answered.

Position Summary:

The Community & Public Health Research Center, a center of the Kinder Institute for Urban Research at Rice University, is seeking a full-time Postdoctoral Fellow to collaborate on an NIH-funded research project addressing the link between food and cardiovascular health.

This is a one-year on-campus position, with potential for renewal based on performance, beginning June 2026. The position is structured to support the Postdoctoral Fellow in advancing an independent research agenda alongside their work on the NIH-funded project.

We especially encourage applicants with demonstrated experience in Hispanic/Latino health and mixed-methods research. We also seek candidates eager to expand their methodological skill sets and engage in research alongside community partners.

The Kinder Institute for Urban Research aims to improve lives through data, research, engagement, and action. The institute is currently building five research centers focused on key aspects shaping the social and cultural landscape of the Houston area: housing, education, community and public health, economic mobility and inequality, and population dynamics.

Each center investigates its topic area while collaborating across centers. Interdisciplinary teams specialize in solutions-oriented research using a partnership model that jointly designs, develops, and conducts research. This model values diverse expertise and prioritizes community input in identifying and addressing key challenges. The goal is for research to inform decision-making and drive systemic change.

Ideal Candidate Statement:

The ideal candidate thrives in a team environment, actively leading, collaborating, and motivating others. They will have strong interpersonal, scientific, and numerical skills with meticulous attention to detail and accuracy.

Workplace Requirements:

This position offers a hybrid work schedule within Harris County and surrounding counties, combining in-office and remote work. Per Rice policy 440, work arrangements may be subject to change.

Salary: $60,000 – $63,000

This is a one-year term position with the possibility of extending for an additional year.

Minimum Requirements:

• Ph.D. or other doctoral degree in psychology, public health, or a related field by the start date
• Bilingual in Spanish

Skills:

• Excellent technical and data analysis skills, particularly in qualitative or mixed methods
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including presenting research to academic and non-academic audiences
• Ability to work in a team environment, collaborate, and motivate others
• Strong project management skills with exceptional attention to detail
• Ability to handle large-scale data collection and analysis

Preferences:

• Demonstrated interest in community-engaged research, health disparities, and/or Hispanic/Latino health
• Proficiency in programming languages used in computational social science (e.g., R or Stata)
• Strong time management skills with the ability to multitask and work independently

Essential Functions:

• Lead project management activities, coordinating research tasks and timelines
• Conduct research in collaboration with the PI, collaborators, and staff
• Implement research protocols and adapt methods as needed
• Prepare findings for publications, reports, and conference presentations
• Mentor and train graduate and undergraduate research team members
• Participate in research-related travel, workshops, and university events
• Assist with grant proposal development
• Perform other duties as assigned

Benefits:

Rice University HR | Benefits: https://knowledgecafe.rice.edu/benefits-overview

Mission and Values:

Rice Mission and Values: https://www.rice.edu/mission-values

Equal Opportunity Statement:

Rice University is committed to ensuring Equal Employment Opportunity and welcoming the fullness of diversity into our candidate pools. Rice considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status. Rice also provides reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. If an applicant requires a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, please get in touch with Rice University’s Human Resources Office via email at facstaffada@rice.edu for support.

If you have any additional questions, please email us at jobs@rice.edu. Thank you for your interest in employment with Rice University.

About Us:

Boasting a 300-acre tree-lined campus in Houston, Rice University is ranked among the nation’s top 20 universities by U.S. News & World Report. Rice has a 6-to-1 undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio, and a residential college system, which supports students intellectually, emotionally and culturally through social events, intramural sports, student plays, lectures series, courses and student government. Developing close-knit, diverse college communities is a strong campus tradition, which is why Rice is highly ranked for best quality of life and best value among private universities.