Postdoctoral Fellow in Behavioral Health Policy

JOB SUMMARY

The Innovations Institute at the University of Connecticut (UConn) School of Social Work invites applications for the full-time Sheila A Pires Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in Child, Youth, and Family Behavioral Health Policy. This fellowship offers a unique opportunity for a highly motivated early-career scholar to engage in applied research focused on improving behavioral health systems and outcomes for youth and families through policy and finance research, implementation science, and systems transformation.

Innovations Institute is a national center dedicated to advancing equitable and effective behavioral health and social service systems through research, policy, and practice. The Fellow will work closely with interdisciplinary teams on federally and state-funded projects that address critical issues in child, youth, and family systems, including policy and finance reform, systems design, workforce development, and service array implementation. The position provides access to rich data sources, collaborative partnerships with state agencies and national organizations, and mentorship from leading experts in behavioral health systems research. Fellows will be mentored by senior faculty at the Innovations Institute and UConn School of Social Work, whose expertise spans multiple areas of expertise, including Eric Burns, Michelle Zabel, and Tony Bonadio.

The postdoctoral fellow will also benefit from opportunities to work within a foundation-supported national initiative that is engaging dozens of youth behavioral health decision-makers and scholars to improve public sector services for youth and their families. Entitled the Innovations Research Coalition for Youth and Family Behavioral Health, this initiative has developed a research action agenda for the field and is now collaborating to achieve this agenda via new research projects, analysis of large datasets, evidence syntheses, development of new measurement strategies to promote learning systems, and broad-based engagement and dissemination activities.

This fellowship is ideal for individuals seeking to build a career in applied research, policy, or academic settings focused on youth and family behavioral health. The Fellow will receive tailored professional development, support for scholarly dissemination, and opportunities to contribute to grant writing and project leadership. The ideal candidate has a commitment to inclusion and improving outcomes for historically marginalized populations.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Conduct applied research in youth and family behavioral health systems and public child- and family-serving systems, with a focus on implementation science and policy analysis.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams on projects addressing child and youth behavioral health workforce development, evidence-based practice implementation, and systems design, policy, and transformation, including actively participating in the work of the Innovations Research Coalition for Youth and Family Behavioral Health.
• Analyze qualitative and/or quantitative data, including large administrative datasets related to service use and expenditures, and contribute to the development of technical reports, policy briefs, and peer-reviewed publications.
• Support grant writing and proposal development for future research and policy initiatives.
• Disseminate key findings and guidance through publication in peer-reviewed journals, policy briefs, and white papers.
• Present research at national conferences, stakeholder meetings, and academic forums.
• Engage with public child- and family-serving agencies, community partners, individuals with lived experience, and national organizations to translate research into practice and policy.
• Participate in professional development activities and receive mentorship to support career advancement in research, policy, or academia.
• Contribute to a collaborative, inclusive, and equity-focused research environment.
• Perform related duties as required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• PhD, EdD, MD, or equivalent doctoral degree related to social work, public health, psychology, sociology, or a related behavioral health or social science discipline.
• Demonstrated experience conducting applied research in behavioral health, implementation science, public policy, or child- and family-serving systems.
• Demonstrated experience with or skills required for qualitative and/or quantitative research methods, data analysis, and scholarly writing.
• Evidence of research productivity through peer-reviewed publications, technical reports, or policy briefs.
• Demonstrated communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to work collaboratively in interdisciplinary teams.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience working with public child, youth, and family-serving systems such as child welfare, juvenile justice, or behavioral health.
• Demonstrated familiarity with implementation science frameworks and methods.
• Experience translating research findings into policy, financing, systems design, or practice recommendations.
• Proven knowledge of federal and state behavioral health policy and financing landscapes.
• Experience with grant writing or contributing to funded research proposals.
• Demonstrated ability to engage with community stakeholders, individuals with lived experience, policymakers, or practitioners.

APPOINTMENT TERMS

This position is a full-time, 12-month appointment that is annually renewable, based on performance and funding availability. The salary range for this position is $62,232 to $75,564 annually, commensurate with experience. The desired start date of Spring 2026 or Summer 2026, flexible based on the candidate's timeline. Position is fully remote with expected travel to the UConn School of Social Work in Hartford, CT, at least twice annually.

A generous benefit package is provided that includes health, retirement, paid time-off, and other benefits. For additional information regarding benefits visit: https://hr.uconn.edu/benefits-beyond-pay/.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Employment of the successful candidate is contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment criminal background check.