Description
Vanderbilt University is seeking applications for one or two postdoctoral scholars to join the Vanderbilt LGBTQ+ Policy Lab beginning in Summer 2026 or earlier.
The first position will be in LGBTQ+ economics, LGBTQ+ health, and LGBTQ+ policy to work primarily with Professor Kitt Carpenter (Economist) on a variety of projects related to same-sex marriage and LGBTQ+ health and economic outcomes.
The second position is open to a quantitative social scientist with interests in LGBTQ+ populations, health, and policies. Potential primary advisors include Gilbert Gonzales (Health Policy), Tara McKay (Sociology), Lawrence Stacey (Sociology), and Kirsty Clark (Psychiatric Epidemiology).
For both positions, experience handling large datasets and advanced programming in Stata, SAS, or R is required. A PhD in public policy, economics, health services research, sociology, public health, human development and family sciences, or related quantitative social science discipline is required. The candidate will sit within the recently launched Center for Research on Inequality and Health (https://vu.edu/crih) and the Vanderbilt LGBTQ+ Policy Lab (https://www.vanderbilt.edu/lgbtq-policy-lab/). This position is approximately 50% time to focus on the candidate’s own research program and 50% time to work on projects of joint relevance to scholars in the LGBTQ+ Policy Lab.
Responsibilities include:
1. Carrying out a full-time active research program on topics of interest and relevance to LGBTQ+ people and policies.
2. Attending a weekly in-person professional development/seminar series on LGBTQ+ health inequities, policies, and populations at the Vanderbilt LGBTQ+ Policy Lab.
3. Attending weekly in-person professional development events and seminars of the Center for Research on Inequality and Health.
4. Guest lecturing in courses related to health economics and LGBTQ+ inequities, policies, and populations, as appropriate.
5. Mentoring, with supervision from an LGBTQ+ Policy Lab faculty member, undergraduate and graduate student research, as appropriate.
Requirements
Qualifications:
The one-year postdoctoral fellowships will begin 7/1/2026 (or possibly earlier if mutually agreeable), with an initial end date of 6/30/2027, and carry the possibility of a one-year renewal. The preference is for candidates to be able to spend both academic year (AY) 26-27 and 27-28 at Vanderbilt for a two-year term. Each position carries a twelve-month salary of $75,000, research fund, office space, health insurance, and eligibility for other benefits (https://www.vanderbilt.edu/postdoc/faqs/). These full-time and in-residence positions require in-person office presence in Nashville for the term of the fellowship. We are also open to candidates who have secured a permanent position but are able to negotiate a 1-2 year deferral to complete the postdoc.
Application Instructions
Review of applications will begin Dec 10, 2025. Applications will be accepted until position is filled.
Applicants should provide a cover letter describing interest in the position and future research plans, CV, a research paper or writing sample, and three letters of reference at: https://apply.interfolio.com/176674. Applications will be reviewed immediately and until the positions are filled.
