Postdoctoral Fellow in Social and Psychological Wellbeing and Aging

Postdoctoral Fellow in Social and Psychological Wellbeing and
Aging at the University of Pennsylvania

Location: University of Pennsylvania - Perelman School of
Medicine

Open Date: Oct 19, 2026

Deadline:

We are seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Research Fellow to
join an NIH-funded research program focused on improving outcomes
for persons living with dementia and their care partners. The
fellow will contribute to the development and validation of the
Social and Psychological Outcomes Tally (SPOT), a
novel patient-centered measure of social and psychological quality
of life designed for individuals with mild-to-moderate dementia and
their caregivers. This multidisciplinary project integrates
psychometrics, behavioral science, health services research,
qualitative methods, and dementia care to create tools that can
guide clinical decision-making and care planning. Responsibilities
include participant recruitment and data collection, quantitative
and qualitative data analysis, psychometric modeling, manuscript
preparation, grant development, and collaboration with clinicians,
patients, caregivers, and community stakeholders. Ideal candidates
will have training in psychology, public health, epidemiology,
health services research, gerontology, biostatistics, or a related
field, with interests in aging, dementia, patient-reported
outcomes, caregiving, and measurement science. This position offers
outstanding opportunities for scientific publication,
interdisciplinary mentorship, and career development in dementia
research.

The postdoc will work closely with Shana Stites (https://pennmemorycenter.org/who-we-are/staff/shana-stites-psyd-ma-ms/)
at the University of Pennsylvania and other collaborating
partners.

The postdoctoral scholar will have the opportunity to engage in
this innovative project from participant recruitment through data
collection and analysis. Through this project, the postdoctoral
fellow will gain access to a range of foundational and advances
research skills alongside exceptional research opportunities that
facilitate long-term career building.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. or equivalent in psychology, epidemiology, economics,

demography, sociology, and/or related fields

• Interest in Alzheimer's disease, aging, mixed methods, and/or

aging

• Skills in quantitative data and statistical analysis, skills also

in qualitative analyses a strength

• Excellent English verbal and written skills
• Excellent reasoning skills
• Strong organizational skills and ability to establish priorities

to meet deadlines

• Ability to work in a multidisciplinary setting with a

multidisciplinary research team

Responsibilities

• Assist with study recruitment and data collection
• Support analyses of cross-sectional and longitudinal data
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary national and international

research teams and with community stakeholders

• Disseminate research findings at scientific conferences and

stakeholder meetings

• Draft manuscripts for scientific publication
• Provide technical and written assistance on grants for

NIH and other external funding

Application Instructions

To apply, please submit cover letter, resume/CV, writing sample,
Dissertation Abstract, and two letters of recommendation.

To apply, visit https://apply.interfolio.com/195388

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The University of Pennsylvania is an equal opportunity employer.
Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race,
color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin
(including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics), citizenship
status, age, disability, veteran status or any class protected
under applicable federal, state, or local law.

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