Postdoctoral Scholar-Fixed Term

Position Summary

Seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Scholar to join a multidisciplinary research team at the College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University (MSU). Led by Dr. Steven J. Ondersma (Steven Ondersma, PhD), Dr. Claire Margerison (Margerison Research Group | Department of EPIDEMIOLOGY AND BIOSTATISTICS | Michigan State University), and Community MPI Athena McKay (Flint Innovative Solutions | Technology Literacy | 432 North Saginaw Street suite 145, Flint, MI, USA), this team is three years into a 7-year community-engaged trial testing the ability of a multi-level digital intervention—augmented with on-demand live chat assistance from a Community Health Worker—to reduce pregnancy-related and -associated maternal morbidity and mortality (PRAMM). This study is part of the MSU MIRACLE Center (MIRACLE Center), an NIH Maternal Health Research Center of Excellence funded under the NIH IMPROVE Initiative (Implementing a Maternal health and PRegnancy Outcomes Vision for Everyone (IMPROVE) Initiative | NICHD - Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development). Dr. Ondersma’s research focuses on healthcare-based digital screening and interventions seeking to promote better pregnancy outcomes, often using the NIH-funded, open-source, no-code platform www.cias.app. Dr. Margerison’s research focuses on understanding the determinants of racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic differences in women’s health, particularly before, during, and after pregnancy and on identifying policy changes and preventative strategies to promote health among at-risk pregnancies. Ms. McKay, Executive Director of Flint Innovative Solutions, is a community leader specializing in health promotion using technology. 

Responsibilities of the Post-doctoral scholar will include: helping to ensure successful conduct of the trial; presenting for community events and at conferences; manuscript preparation; and assisting with grant application development. The postdoctoral fellow will receive advanced training from Drs. Ondersma and Margerison in relevant areas including digital intervention development, randomized trials, and proposal writing, with the development of an NIH application being a key focus; and from Ms. McKay in community-engaged and -partnered research. The research associate can also collaborate with other faculty within the MIRACLE Center and across MSU.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

Required Degree

Terminal -A doctoral degree or equivalent in Epidemiology, Psychology, Public Health, or related field.

Minimum Requirements

Successful applicants will have postdoctoral training, a K-award, R21 or R34 funding and/or other evidence of preparation to become R01-funded principal investigators.

At least three years' experience in public health-related research and outreach, with a strong preference for those with community engaged research experience.

A PhD, DrPH, or similar in a field such as public health, health services research, health economics, social/health psychology, developmental psychology, clinical disciplines (including clinical psychology, social work, medicine, pediatrics, nutrition, etc.), sociology, food science/human nutrition, health communications, and epidemiology; MD or DO may be considered.

Desired Qualifications

Subject-matter knowledge in one or more of the following: digital interventions, mental health, substance use, pregnancy, and pregnancy-related and -associated morbidity and mortality.

Experience with intervention development and/or community-engaged research

Required Application Materials

Applicants should submit a cover letter describing research interests and career goals, curriculum vitae, names and contact information for three references, and a writing sample. 

Review of Applications Begins On

07/24/2026

Remote Work Statement

MSU strives to provide a flexible work environment and this position has been designated as remote-friendly. Remote-friendly means some or all of the duties can be performed remotely as mutually agreed upon.

Website

https://publichealth.msu.edu/

MSU Statement

Michigan State University has been advancing the common good with uncommon will for more than 160 years. One of the top research universities in the world, MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery and forges enduring partnerships to solve the most pressing global challenges while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community through more than 200 programs of study in 17 degree-granting colleges.