Postdoctoral Researcher in Social Work

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Closing Date:

01/21/2025

Type of Position:

Researchers and ScientistsNo

Job Type:

Fixed Duration of Project/Grant (Fixed Term)Day Shift (United States of America)No

Institution Name:

University of Arkansas, Fayetteville

Founded in 1871, the University of Arkansas is a land grant institution, classified by the Carnegie Foundation among the nation’s top 2 percent of universities with the highest level of research activity. The University of Arkansas works to advance Arkansas and build a better world through education, research and outreach by providing transformational opportunities and skills, promoting an inclusive and diverse culture and climate, and nurturing creativity, discovery and the spread of new ideas and innovations.

The University of Arkansas campus is located in Fayetteville, a welcoming community ranked as one of the best places to live in the U.S. The growing region surrounding Fayetteville is home to numerous Fortune 500 companies and one of the nation’s strongest economies. Northwest Arkansas is also quickly gaining a national reputation for its focus on the arts and overall quality of life.

As an employer, the University of Arkansas offers a vibrant work environment and a workplace culture that promotes a healthy work-life balance. The benefits package includes university contributions to health, dental, life and disability insurance, tuition waivers for employees and their families, 12 official holidays, immediate leave accrual, and a choice of retirement programs with university contributions ranging from 5 to 10% of employee salary.

Below you will find the details for the position including any supplementary documentation and questions, you should review before applying for the opening.

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Department:

School of Social Work

Summary of Job Duties:

The Post-Doctoral Researcher in Social Work specializing in Behavioral Health and Crisis Intervention Systems will contribute to a large project aimed at improving behavioral health outcomes and enhancing crisis intervention models in the State of Arkansas. This role involves applying advanced research methodologies to study mental health systems, crisis response frameworks, and policy impacts. The Post-Doctoral Researcher will collaborate with cross-functional teams and external stakeholders to develop evidence-based insights that support advancements in behavioral health services and crisis intervention strategies.

Key Responsibilities:
1. Research Design and Methodology Development:
o Develop and implement research methodologies to study behavioral health services, crisis intervention models, and their effectiveness across diverse populations.
o Design both quantitative and qualitative research studies focused on mental health outcomes, intervention efficacy, and system integration.
o Oversee data collection, ensuring accuracy and integrity while adhering to ethical research standards.
2. Data Analysis and Interpretation:
o Conduct complex statistical and qualitative analyses on behavioral health and crisis intervention data.
o Utilize advanced data analysis tools (e.g., SPSS, STATA, R) to model outcomes, identify trends, and evaluate the effectiveness of crisis intervention systems.
o Interpret data findings to create actionable insights that inform best practices and potential improvements in mental health and crisis response systems.
3. Policy and Program Evaluation:
o Evaluate existing behavioral health programs and crisis intervention policies, identifying gaps, challenges, and areas for improvement.
o Provide research-based recommendations for policy changes and program enhancements that can support better behavioral health outcomes.
o Work with local, state, and federal agencies to translate research findings into practice and inform policy decisions.
4. Collaboration and Stakeholder Engagement:
o Collaborate with the Principal Investigator, interdisciplinary teams, including behavioral health professionals, policymakers, and crisis intervention providers, to align research efforts with community needs.
o Engage with stakeholders to understand real-world challenges in behavioral health systems and to incorporate these insights into research.
o Foster partnerships with academic institutions, public health organizations, and advocacy groups to expand the impact of research initiatives.


Regular, reliable, and non-disruptive attendance is an essential job duty, as is the ability to create and maintain collegial, harmonious working relationships with others.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in Social Work, Public Health, Health Policy, Health Economics, or a related field

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced proficiency in statistical analysis and qualitative research methodologies

• Strong knowledge of behavioral health systems, mental health crisis response, and policy evaluation

• Experience with data analysis software (e.g., R, STATA, NVivo, or Atlas.ti)

• Excellent scientific writing and presentation skills

• Project management abilities and strong organizational skills

Additional Information:

This is a 2-year appointment, renewable based on the need for the position, availability of funding, and continued satisfactory level of performance in the role.

$60,000Cover Letter/Letter of Application, List of three Professional References (name, email, business title), ResumeProof of Veteran StatusJohanna Thomas, Director and Professor School of Social Work, johannat@uark.edu

All application materials must be uploaded to the University of Arkansas System Career Site https://uasys.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/UASYS

Please do not send to listed recruitment contact.

Special Instructions to Applicants:

Pre-employment Screening Requirements:

Criminal Background Check, Sex Offender Registry

The University of Arkansas is committed to providing a safe campus community. We conduct background checks for applicants being considered for employment. Background checks include a criminal background check and a sex offender registry check. For certain positions, there may also be a financial (credit) background check, a Motor Vehicle Registry (MVR) check, and/or drug screening. Required checks are identified in the position listing. A criminal conviction or arrest pending adjudication or adverse financial history information alone shall not disqualify an applicant in the absence of a relationship to the requirements of the position. Background check information will be used in a confidential, non-discriminatory manner consistent with state and federal law.

The University of Arkansas seeks to attract, develop and retain high quality faculty, staff and administrators that consistently display practices and behaviors to advance a culture that embeds inclusion, opportunity, educational excellence and unparalleled access for all.

The University of Arkansas is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution. The University does not discriminate in its education programs or activities (including in admission and employment) on the basis of age, race, color, national origin, disability, religion, marital or parental status, protected veteran status, military service, genetic information, or sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity). Federal law prohibits the University from discriminating on these bases. Questions or concerns about the application of Title IX, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, may be sent to the University's Title IX Coordinator and to the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights.

Persons must have proof of legal authority to work in the United States on the first day of employment.

All application information is subject to public disclosure under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act.

Constant Physical Activity:

N/A

Frequent Physical Activity:

N/A

Occasional Physical Activity:

N/A

Benefits Eligible:

Yes