Postdoctoral Scholar

Job Title
Postdoctoral Scholar

Requisition Number
DU14352

Department Name
7H460:FAMILY AND COMMUNITY MEDICINE

Work Location
Lexington, KY

Salary Range
$62,652 - $70,000/year DOE

Type of Position
Staff

Position Time Status
Full-Time

Required Education

PhD or equivalent

Required Related Experience

None

Required License/Registration/Certification

None

Physical Requirements

Ability to stand or sit for periods of time as required to complete daily job tasks

Shift

Flexible, but concentrated on Monday to Friday, 9a to 5p. Some weekends or evening may be required.

Job Summary

Dr. Mikhail Koffarnus, Professor and Vice Chair for Research in the Department of Family and Community Medicine at the University of Kentucky (UK) seeks a postdoctoral scholar to join the UK Appalachian Tobacco Regulatory Science Team (AppalTRUST). The overarching goal of the AppalTRUST Center is to examine tobacco use patterns and the potential impacts of FDA regulations across geographic regions in Appalachian Kentucky. This position will work on a project using behavioral economic methods including an Experimental Tobacco Marketplace to assess the impact of three proposed tobacco product regulations on the tobacco product purchasing patterns of adults living in Appalachian Kentucky. Tobacco product use and behavioral surveys and questionnaires will be collected via mHealth apps.

The postdoctoral scholar will work with a multidisciplinary team that draws on experts in public health, nursing, social and behavioral science, biostatistics, epidemiology, psychology, public policy, young adults, and rural health. The Postdoctoral Scholar will have opportunities to collect data, manage and analyze large datasets, prepare manuscripts (as first or co-author), prepare conference abstracts, and will be supported in leading their own grant applications (e.g., career development awards, fellowships, etc.).

The postdoctoral scholar will also be given the opportunity to develop supplementary studies that support the overarching goals of the AppalTRUST project and will be encouraged to publish and present their research findings. The Postdoctoral scholar will be eligible for pilot funds and will participate in career enhancement activities through the AppalTRUST Career Enhancement Core. Opportunities are also available for interdisciplinary mentoring and training in other tobacco research areas (e.g., tobacco cessation, qualitative methods, rural health, etc.).

Initial appointment will be for one year, with renewal for subsequent year(s) contingent on progress and available resources to support continued placement. In addition to CV and cover letter, please include statement of research interests of no more than two pages.

Skills / Knowledge / Abilities

Does this position have supervisory responsibilities?
No

Preferred Education/Experience

PhD, MD, or MD/PhD in public health, behavioral/social science, psychology or a related specialty and relevant research experience. Applicants with experience in mHealth approaches, rural populations, tobacco regulatory science, and/or behavioral economic methodology will be given priority consideration.

Deadline to Apply
03/31/2026

Our University Community

We value the well-being of each of our employees and are dedicated to creating a healthy place for everyone to work, learn and live. In the interest of maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our students, employees, patients and visitors, the University of Kentucky is a Tobacco & Drug Free campus.

The University follows both the federal and state Constitutions as well as all applicable federal and state laws on nondiscrimination. The University provides equal opportunities for qualified persons in all aspects of institutional operations and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, uniformed service, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information or social or economic status.

Any candidate offered a position may be required to pass pre-employment screenings as mandated by University of Kentucky Human Resources. These screenings may include a national background check and/or drug screen.