OPT Research Fellow Jobs

How to Apply

Materials and questions should be sent by email to firearminjuryprevention@umich.edu. Please use the subject line "Fellowship Application." Please submit:

• A written statement describing your research qualifications, experience and specific interest in firearm research, and long-term career goals (up to 3 pages)
• Curriculum Vitae
• Three letters of recommendation, including at least one from your current graduate or clinical residency training program.
• Graduate-level academic transcripts (unofficial is acceptable)
• Two writing samples, preferably a copy of a previously published manuscript(s) and/or papers from a dissertation thesis.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and accepted until all positions are filled. Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended.

Who We Are

The Institute for Firearm Injury Prevention generates new knowledge and advances innovative solutions to reduce firearm death and injury across the United States. Our mission is to address the substantial burden of firearm injuries occurring across the lifespan by conducting high-quality research, education, training, and outreach. The University of Michigan has established the Institute for Firearm Injury Prevention to increase firearm injury prevention research and scholarship across U-M and to expand the research pipeline so that more individuals can study ways to address this national crisis. The Institute explores firearm injuries across the lifespan, including suicide, community violence, unintentional injuries, intimate partner violence, officer-involved shootings, school, and mass shootings, as well as differences in injury outcomes across these areas.

The NIH/NICHD-funded T32 Firearm Safety Among Children and Teens (FACTS): Multi-Disciplinary Research Training Program aims to address the critical need to develop a scientific workforce and continuous pipeline of research scientists focused on addressing the leading cause of pediatric mortality by establishing the nation's first program dedicated exclusively to providing post-doctoral research training on the prevention of firearm injuries among children and teens.

Job Summary

The University of Michigan Institute for Firearm Injury Prevention is recruiting outstanding early-career research investigators to join a cohort of postdoctoral fellows who are part of an NIH-funded T32 training grant, Firearm Safety Among Children and Teens (FACTS): Multi-Disciplinary Research Training Program. The successful candidate will undertake an intensive post-doctoral training program for up to two years in which they will acquire core skills in research methods including analytic skill development, grant and manuscript writing, and project management through a combination of applied research and training on the prevention of firearm injuries. The training program prepares fellows for research independence and an academic career. They will work closely with mentoring faculty to identify a research focus and develop a career development and mentoring plan.

Successful candidates may come from a wide range of disciplinary backgrounds and have prior experience working at any stage along the translational research spectrum or on any level within the socio-ecological model (individual, family, community, or policy). Selection will be based on scholarly potential and compatibility with interests of a faculty mentor. Candidates from all backgrounds and disciplines are encouraged to apply. We seek to engage talented researchers with wide ranging perspectives, research and life experiences to help further our mission.

The successful candidate(s) will have:

• Completed a doctoral degree program (MD, PhD, DrPH, EdD, or equivalent) by the starting date.
• Demonstrated commitment and interest in firearm injury prevention research.
• Research experience within any relevant discipline and work at any stage along the translational research spectrum or focused on any level within the socio-ecological model (individual, family, community, or policy).
• Interest in working with various populations.
• A strong desire to work with multi-disciplinary collaborators.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Note:

• Eligible applicants must be citizens, noncitizen nationals, or permanent residents of the U.S.
• This position is contingent on continued federal funding of the T32 program.

Fellows will work on active research projects of faculty mentors which cover a range of topics including the lifespan, urban/rural populations, and work with communities. Examples of research projects may include, but are not limited to, research focused on community firearm violence prevention, including built environment and community interventions, efficacy research on individual interventions (e.g., hospital based or community based violence prevention programs), policy research, implementation studies that translate evidence-based interventions for preventing suicide and violence in communities, functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies, firearm injury prevention through technology and engineering, data modeling, national surveys and epidemiological research.

Compensation and Benefits

This Postdoctoral Research Fellowship position includes:

• Annual compensation based on levels mandated by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Stipend Levels.
• The University of Michigan's full standard benefit package including medical, dental, and vision as detailed here: https://hr.umich.edu/benefits-wellness.
• Dedicated funds to support professional development opportunities including travel funds to scientific conferences, participation in technical seminars and course(s), and other research-related project expenses.
• Paid sick leave, vacation time, holidays, and additional benefits.
• Childcare stipend annually, if desired, in accordance with the National Institutes of Health notice.
• A full overview providing general information about the benefits for postdoctoral research fellows can be found here: https://myumi.ch/XnP8r

Expectations

Selection will be based on scholarly potential and compatibility with research interests and experience of faculty mentors. This is a hybrid position; fellows are expected to actively engage in regular training program activities including research workshops, journal clubs, and educational seminars. They will present and share research findings in a range of settings including project/team meetings and scientific meetings and conferences. Fellows will complete self-paced coursework in the Science of Firearm Injury Prevention and complete technical training as recommended by faculty mentors. In accordance with NIH policy, fellows will participate in training on topics in the Responsible Conduct of Research and Rigor, Reproducibility, and Transparency. We anticipate each fellow will work with their primary and secondary mentors, research teams and be involved in manuscript submissions.

Modes of Work

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.

Additional Information

• We are accepting applications for appointments beginning in summer or fall of 2027.
• Postdoctoral recipients who receive a NIH-supported fellowship will incur a payback obligation during the initial twelve months of support per Section 487 of the Public Health Services Act Section. Most recipients fulfill their payback obligation by receiving additional months of NIH training support or by engaging in acceptable activities such as health-related research, academic employment, or teaching. Further information https://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/nihgps/HTML5/section_11/11.4_payback_requirements.htm
• To be eligible for this fellowship, applicants must be citizens or noncitizen nationals of the United States or have been lawfully admitted for permanent residence at the time of appointment.
• This position is contingent on continued federal funding of the T32 program.
• The statements included in this description are intended to reflect the general nature of work and should not be interpreted as all-inclusive.

Background Screening

The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background checks. Background checks are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

Application Deadline

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended.

U-M EEO Statement

The University of Michigan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Job Opening ID

283391

Working Title

Postdoctoral Research Fellow - Institute for Firearm Injury Prevention

Job Title

RESEARCH FELLOW

Work Location

Ann Arbor Campus

Ann Arbor, MI

Modes of Work

Hybrid

Full/Part Time

Full-Time

Regular/Temporary

Regular

FLSA Status

Exempt

Organizational Group

Umor Ins Firearm Res

Department

OVPR Inst for Firearm Inj Prev

Posting Begin/End Date

9/22/2026 - 3/31/2027

Career Interest

Research Fellows