The School of Public Health (SPH) is committed to antiracism and anti-oppression and welcomes you to join us in our pursuit of building equity and driving justice. We particularly encourage applications from those who belong to groups that have been historically underrepresented in our School, including those who are American Indian, Black, Indigenous, and people of color, those with disabilities, veterans, and those from 2SLGBTQIA+ communities.

The School of Public Health Division of Health Policy and Management is seeking applications for a full-time Rural Health Equity Post-doctoral Associate (9546 Post-doctoral Associate).

Work Arrangements: The University of Minnesota endorses a âœWork. With Flexibility.❠and we offer a flexible work environment that meets the needs of our students, faculty, staff, and partners we serve. This position has the option to work remotely. Work arrangements will be discussed during the interview. Onsite location: Rural Health Research Center, 2221 University Ave. SE, Suite 350, Minneapolis TC Campus - East-bank

Duration: This is a two-year position, with the second year of funding being contingent on successful completion of the first year. 

We are currently accepting applications for one rural health equity postdoctoral associate position beginning on or after September 1, 2025.

Annual Salary: Based on NIH NRSA postdoctoral stipend levels.

• Postdoc No Experience:  $61,008
• Postdoc 1 year of Experience:  $61,428
• Postdoc 2 years of Experience:  $61,884

A travel stipend to attend a national conference each year will also be made available.

We will be prioritizing applications that are received by Friday, March 21, 2025.

At the University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center (RHRC), we conduct policy-relevant research to improve the lives of rural residents and families, to advance health equity, and to enhance the vitality of rural communities. We invite scholars from diverse backgrounds to apply for the RHRCâ™s Rural Health Equity Postdoctoral Program. The program will support the professional development of researchers who can address critical gaps in knowledge by doing the following:

1. Conduct research to inform the development, implementation, and evaluation of health policy that advances health equity in individuals, families, and communities, with a focus on rural areas and geographic inequities.
2. Study the impacts of institutional and governmental policies that affect health care access, health care quality, maternity care, social drivers of health, systems of care and services, and/or population health outcomes across the lifespan from infancy to older adulthood.
3. Focus and engage with rural populations that face structural barriers to good health outcomes, including the following: communities of color, Indigenous people, women and girls, 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals, people with disabilities, older adults, and people with limited incomes.
4. Conduct research in partnership with communities, and communicate findings to policymakers and back to communities, highlighting the impact of decisions for individual, family, and community health.

The primary goal of this program is to train scholars who will become innovative research leaders in rural health. The postdoc will receive mentorship and support from the RHRC leadership and staff and closely collaborate on projects.

The postdoc will be expected to be a core member of a research team for a one-year national-scope rural health-focused project (Sep-Aug) that is funded by the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy. During the first year of the program, the postdoc will have an opportunity to provide input to shape a one-year project that they could lead or co-lead during the second year of the program. Results from these two projects will be published as peer-reviewed manuscripts and/or publicly available policy briefs, and disseminated at rural-relevant conferences. RHRCâ™s work is characterized by rapid turnaround, policy-relevant, rigorous research that informs state, federal, and institutional decision-making and improves the health of rural communities.

The postdoc will also be expected to develop and implement an independent rural health equity research project or analysis that is relevant for  rural people or communities in Minnesota. The specific focus and methodology of this project will depend on the expertise and interest of the postdoc, but may include quantitative analysis, qualitative data collection and analysis, and community-engaged work.   

Required: 

Postdocs must have (or will complete before the scheduled start date) the following requirements:

• Graduated from a doctoral program with a focus in health policy, public health, demography, geography, sociology, public policy, or a closely-related discipline.
• Training and demonstrated excellence in methods/statistics, including analysis of survey data, claims data, and/or qualitative data; our research needs focus most on quantitative analysis of secondary data.
• Ability to conduct rigorous research efficiently in a fast-paced, policy-relevant, community-engaged environment.

Preferred: 

• Individuals with a focus on racial equity, including rural Black and Indigenous people, are especially encouraged to apply.
• Experience with data analysis in a US Census Research Data Center and US Census Special Sworn Status are preferred, but not required.

About University of Minnesota Twin Cities

The University of Minnesota, founded in the belief that all people are enriched by understanding, is dedicated to the advancement of learning and the search for truth; to the sharing of this knowledge through education for a diverse community; and to the application of this knowledge to benefit the people of the state, the nation, and the world.

Connections working at University of Minnesota Twin Cities