Postdoctoral Research Associate, Child Welfare Research

Ames, IA

Part time

R20189

Position Title:Postdoctoral Research Associate, Child Welfare Research

Appointment Type:Post Doc/Trainee

Job Description:

Summary of Duties and Responsibilities:The Postdoctoral Researcher will manage and analyze complex datasets; design, organize, and conduct advanced quantitative and qualitative analyses using established scientific methods and protocols; and, when appropriate, develop and implement new analytical approaches. Responsibilities include summarizing findings and preparing reports, manuscripts, and other scholarly products for publication and dissemination. The position offers opportunities to collaborate closely with faculty and staff, contribute to interdisciplinary research initiatives, and mentor students, research staff, and other junior colleagues in a collaborative and supportive research environment.

Required Minimum Qualifications:

• PhD in Human Development and Family Studies

• Demonstrated experience conducting child welfare research, including the analysis of child welfare data and/or evaluation of child welfare programs and services.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience conducting quantitative data analysis using SPSS, SAS, or Stata.

• Experience working with administrative data, including data cleaning, management, and analysis.

• Experience conducting research or evaluation related to state agencies, public programs, child welfare systems, or other human service programs.

Department/Program & College Description:The Department of Human Development and Family Studies (HDFS) in the College of Health and Human Sciences at Iowa State University is dedicated to advancing research, education, and outreach that improve individual, family, and community well-being across the lifespan. Faculty, staff, and students engage in interdisciplinary scholarship addressing child development, family relationships, health and well-being, prevention and intervention programs, and public policy. The department fosters a collaborative environment that supports innovative research, student mentorship, and community-engaged partnerships.

Department Unit/Website:College of Health and Human Sciences – College of Health and Human Sciences (https://hs.iastate.edu/)

Application Instructions:To apply for this position, please click on “Apply” and complete the Employment Application. Please be prepared to enter or attach the following:

• Resume/Curriculum Vitae

• Letter of Application/Cover Letter

Why Choose Iowa State University?Iowa State Employees enjoy comprehensive health and work-life benefits, including medical and dental, as well as:

• Retirement benefits including defined benefit and defined contribution plans

• Generous vacation, holiday, and sick time and leave plans

• Onsite childcare (Ames, Iowa)

• Life insurance and long-term disability

• Flexible Spending Accounts

• Various voluntary benefits and discounts

• Employee Assistance Program

• Wellbeing program

• Iowa State offers WorkFlex options for some positions. WorkFlex offers flexibility on when, where, and how you do your work. For more information, please speak with the Hiring Manager.

If you have questions regarding this application process, please email [email protected], or call 515-294-4800 or Toll Free: 1-877-477-7485.

Proposed Start Date:December 16, 2026

Number of Months Employed Per Year:12 Month Work Period

Time Type:Part time

Pay Grade:Post Docs

Original Posting Date: November 5, 2026

Posting Close Date:November 12, 2026

Job Requisition Number:R20189

Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, ethnicity, religion, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, genetic information, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. Veteran. Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies may be directed to Office of Equal Opportunity, 2680 Beardshear Hall, 515 Morrill Road, Ames, Iowa 50011, Tel. 515-294-7612, email [email protected].

General ISU compensation information can be found on the University Human Resources (https://www.hr.iastate.edu/careers/compensation) website. Please note that this is only a list of ranges and individuals will be paid commensurate with qualifications.

Current employees (excluding temporary, student and graduate assistants) must apply through the Workday Internal Careers Hub (https://www.myworkday.com/isu/d/task/2998$46522.htmld?reloadToken=892f884ef9c2fa7e5e6257ecf4e9e942f7aa1a12df75918c6ce41bc78e123167) .

By focusing on the future and providing the best student experience possible, Iowa State University (http://www.iastate.edu/) attracts students and faculty who want to make a difference. With a comprehensive land-grant mission of education, research, extension and outreach, we produce scholars whose ideas change the world. And through Innovate at Iowa State, we provide innovative and entrepreneurial opportunities for students of all backgrounds. Located just 30 minutes north of Des Moines, the city of Ames was recently named one of the Top 10 cities in the U.S. for campus life and career opportunities.

Iowa State University is a welcoming community of students, faculty, and staff. Campus community members have a wide range of backgrounds and experiences and are committed to engaging with each other respectfully as outlined in the university's Principles of Community (https://www.iastate.edu/principles-community) . Iowa State recognizes that diverse intellectual and philosophical perspectives are vital to innovation, critical thinking skills, and a dynamic academic community that fosters the land-grant ideals of putting science, technology, and human creativity to work.

All offers of employment, oral and written, are contingent upon the university’s verification of credentials and other information required by federal and state law, ISU policies/procedures, and may include the completion of a background check and/or a consumer credit check.

Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, ethnicity, religion, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, genetic information, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. Veteran. Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies may be directed to Office of Equal Opportunity, 2680 Beardshear Hall, 515 Morrill Road, Ames, Iowa 50011, Tel. 515-294-7612, email [email protected].

If you have questions about the application process please email [email protected] or call 515-294-4800 or Toll-Free at 1-877-477-7485. Iowa State University provides reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should email [email protected] or call (515) 294-4800 or Toll-Free: (877) 477-7485. TTY users are welcome to use the Iowa Relay Service number by dialing 7-1-1 or (800) 735-2942.

General ISU compensation information can be found on the University Human Resources (https://www.hr.iastate.edu/careers/compensation) website. Please note that this is only a list of ranges and individuals will be paid commensurate with qualifications.