JOB SUMMARY

The CT Early Years: A Whole Family Approach to Child Care intervention, funded by the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood and directed by Principal Investigators Rachel Chazan Cohen and Caitlin Lombardi at the University of Connecticut, invites applications for a Postdoctoral Fellow position beginning in the Spring of 2026. The position is a full-time position with current funding through December 2027. CT Early Years is an innovative initiative that brings comprehensive two-generation services to community based childcare settings serving families with infants and toddlers. CT Early Years builds upon the knowledge base and infrastructure existing within Connecticut, bringing together childcare and home visiting resources to better support the “whole child/whole family” and maximize outcomes for children and families. We are hiring a Postdoctoral Fellow with a clearly articulated portfolio of research in applied early childhood development. Ideal candidates will have training in quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods data collection and analysis. The candidate will gain opportunities for extensive exposure to primary data collection and analysis and management of qualitative and quantitative data; professional development opportunities in project management, publishing, grant writing, and research translation; supervision and mentoring of graduate students and project staff; and mentorship from a research and policy team. Work will take place at the Storrs campus of the University of Connecticut under the direct supervision of Drs. Chazan Cohen and Lombardi in the Human Development and Family Sciences department.

The Human Development and Family Sciences (HDFS) Department has 37 full-time faculty members from diverse disciplinary backgrounds. Faculty are located across the state at four campuses where the Department offers the HDFS major. The Department includes staff and about 40 graduate students, 500 undergraduate majors, and 150 undergraduate minors.

Founded in 1881, UConn is a Land Grant and Sea Grant institution and member of the Space Grant Consortium. It is the state’s flagship institution of higher education and includes a main campus in Storrs, CT, four regional campuses throughout the state, and 13 Schools and Colleges, including a Law School in Hartford, and Medical and Dental Schools at the UConn Health campus in Farmington. The University has approximately 10,000 faculty and staff and 32,000 students, including nearly 24,000 undergraduates and over 8,000 graduate and professional students. UConn is a Carnegie Foundation R1 (highest research activity) institution, among the top 25 public universities in the nation. Through research, teaching, service, and outreach, UConn embraces diversity and cultivates leadership, integrity, and engaged citizenship in its students, faculty, staff, and alumni. UConn promotes the health and well-being of citizens by enhancing the social, economic, cultural, and natural environments of the state and beyond. The university serves as a beacon of academic and research excellence as well as a center for innovation and social service to communities.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Make research contributions to research aims, including participating in primary data collection in the community, managing, cleaning, and analyzing data (qualitative and quantitative).
• Mentorship and supervision of project staff and students
• Project management of key project areas
• Capitalize on opportunities to analyze data related to their area of interest.
• Write manuscripts, present results at local and national conferences, and contribute to additional grant applications.
• Participate in weekly team meetings with research team and project advisory board meetings.
• Assist with grant administration and management, including participating in community meetings and assuring compliance with IRB human subjects’ requirements.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

1. PhD in HDFS, psychology, social work, sociology, public health, or related field.
2. Five years of research experience, including experience gained during graduate training.
3. Experience in early childhood development.
4. Experience in early childhood programs and policies.
5. Experience interacting with diverse children and families.
6. Demonstrated interpersonal communication skills, especially with practitioners and families in communities.
7. Experience in quantitative methodology.
8. Demonstrated experience with academic writing.
9. Experience with a beginning track record of publication.
10. Demonstrated experience working independently and participating in a team.
11. Experience utilizing organizational skills.
12. Demonstrated experience managing multiple priorities.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

1. Experience with interventions in community settings
2. Experience in qualitative methodology

APPOINTMENT TERMS

This position is a full-time, 12-month appointment that is annually renewable, based on performance and funding availability. The University offers a competitive salary, and outstanding benefits, including employee and dependent tuition waivers at UConn, and a highly desirable work environment. For additional information regarding benefits visit: https://hr.uconn.edu/health-benefits/. 

Other rights and terms and conditions of your appointment are contained in the collective bargaining agreement between the University of Connecticut and the International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace, and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW), Local 6950. 

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

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

TO APPLY

Please apply online at https://hr.uconn.edu/jobs, Faculty and Staff Positions, Search #499363 to upload a resume, cover letter, and contact information for three (3) professional references.

This job posting is scheduled to be removed at 11:55 p.m. Eastern time on January 16, 2026.

All employees are subject to adherence to the State Code of Ethics, which may be found at https://portal.ct.gov/Ethics/Statutes-and-Regulations.

All members of the University of Connecticut are expected to exhibit appreciation of, and contribute to, an inclusive, respectful, and diverse environment for the University community.

The University of Connecticut aspires to create a community built on collaboration and belonging and has actively sought to create an inclusive culture within the workforce.  The success of the University is dependent on the willingness of our diverse employee and student populations to share their rich perspectives and backgrounds in a respectful manner.  This makes it essential for each member of our community to feel secure and welcomed and to thoroughly understand and believe that their ideas are respected by all.  We strongly respect each individual employee’s unique experiences and perspectives and encourage all members of the community to do the same.  All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

The University of Connecticut is an AA/EEO Employer.