Utah State University (USU) invites applications for post-doctoral fellows in the Human Development and Family Studies department (HDFS). Multiple positions are available. Post-doctoral fellows will have access to data from multiple large data sets from diverse relationship education programs. The purpose of the postdoctoral fellowship is to prepare the fellow to assume research, Extension, faculty, and leadership positions in Relationship Education science, practice, and policy.

 Fellows will play a key role in the execution and publication of research studies of relationship education programs (see HealthyRelationshipsUtah.org).  Relationship education programs include courses for individuals who are single, dating, married, divorced and remarried. Venues include high schools, jails, community agencies, etc. USU also administers and evaluates Utah’s online divorce education program, which is required for divorcing parties with children (see divorce.usu.edu).  Fellows will also help evaluate the efforts of the Utah Marriage Commission, which includes podcasts, relationship assessments, and online courses (see StrongerMarriage.org).

Teaching courses and/or working on other department projects, is negotiable. Start dates are negotiable. Part-time and full-time options are negotiable (.5 – 1 FTE). Office space, including remote work, is also negotiable, although preference will be given to individuals who can work at the Logan USU campus. Relocation assistance is negotiable. The initial review of applications will commence November 17, 2025 and will continue until all fellowships are filled. Fellowships will last for two years, with the option to extend depending on productivity and funding.

This position comes with excellent university benefits.  https://hr.usu.edu/benefits/

Applicants with questions regarding this position may contact Kay Bradford at k.bradford@usu.edu. 

Fellows will join the Relationship Education Initiative administrative team and will work with a collaborative group of faculty, staff, students, and family-life educators around the state. The primary responsibilities will be analyzing data, evaluating programmatic effectiveness, and writing manuscripts. Fellows will be expected to contribute to existing studies and take an active role in conceptualizing and conducting new studies. Additional responsibilities may include assisting with implementation of programmatic and evaluation protocols, grant writing, presenting research results at conferences/meetings, and working with students and county Extension faculty.

Minimum Qualifications:

• PhD in a relevant discipline or Doctoral Candidate with graduation within 6 months of hire.
• Demonstrated productivity in terms of published journal articles and scientific conference presentations
• Advanced research design skills
• Ability to work without direct supervision and as a team member
• Excellent written and oral English communication skills
• Organized, inquisitive, hard-working, and friendly

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced analysis skills (qualitative or quantitative)
• Experience preparing grant applications and reports
• Experience implementing and researching Relationship Education programs
• Ability to work in-person at the USU – Logan campus

Along with the online application, please attach:

1. Resume/Current Vita to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under “Resume/CV”
2. Cover letter addressing:  1) Interest in the position (e.g., Extension, Relationship Education, Research, etc.) 2) Minimum and preferred qualifcations 3) Preferred options for start date, part or full-time status, and work location to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under “Documents 1-10”
3. Two writing samplies (preferably 1st authored publications) to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under “Documents 1-10”
4. Contact information for three professional references

**Document size may not exceed 10 MB.**

Employees work indoors and are protected from weather and/or contaminants, but not, necessarily, occasional temperature changes.  The employee is regularly required to sit and often uses repetitive hand motions.

Utah State University is a Carnegie doctoral high research institution, and Utah's land-grant and space-grant University. Founded in 1888, USU is the oldest and largest public residential campus in Utah. The Department of Human Development and Family Studies (https://cehs.usu.edu/hdfs/) is one of 8 diverse departments and 3 distinguished centers in the College of Education and Human Sciences (www.cehs.usu.edu). The department has 22 faculty members, over 500 undergraduate majors, and 48 graduate students.

Learn more about beautiful Logan Utah: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FYcG2oPWbeE

Learn more about the beautiful USU campus: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJ52n--Z4jk

Founded in 1888, Utah State University is Utah’s premier land-grant, public service university. As an R1 research institution, Utah State is dedicated to advancing knowledge and serving the public good through innovative research and scholarly activities that are grounded in reciprocal engagement with local, regional, and global communities. USU prepares students to be active, civically engaged leaders who are prepared to address critical societal challenges. Dedicated to providing a high-quality and affordable education, USU remains a leader in research, discovery, and public impact.

USU enrolls 28,900 students, both online and in person at locations throughout the state. Utah State’s 30 locations include a main campus in Logan, Utah, residential campuses in Price and Blanding, and six additional statewide campuses, along with education centers serving every county. USU Online educates students from all 50 states and 55 countries. For over 25 years, USU Extension has served and engaged Utahns in all of Utah’s counties.

Competing at the NCAA Division I level, USU is a proud member of the Mountain West Conference and will join the Pac-12 Conference beginning in the 2026-2027 season. The Aggies’ long-standing tradition of athletic and academic excellence is exemplified by conference championships in multiple sports, reflecting USU's commitment to perseverance and achievement.

Utah State is dedicated to fostering a community where all individuals feel respected, valued, and supported. We seek to recruit, hire, and retain people from all walks of life who will champion excellence in education, research, discovery, outreach, and service. We believe that promoting a strong sense of community and belonging empowers and engages all members of USU to thrive and be successful. Forbes recognized our commitment to employees when they named Utah State the best employer in Utah in 2023. Learn more about USU. 

The university provides a Dual Career Assistance Program to support careers for partners who are also seeking employment. Additionally, USU is committed to providing access and a reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities. To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability, contact the university’s ADA Coordinator in the Office of Human Resources at (435) 797-0122 or hr@usu.edu. 

*updated 09/2025

In its programs and activities, including in admissions and employment, Utah State University does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination, including harassment, based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy, Title IX, or any other federal, state, or local law.

Utah State University is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination including harassment in employment including in hiring, promotion, transfer, or termination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy or any other federal, state, or local law.

Utah State University does not discriminate in its housing offerings and will treat all persons fairly and equally without regard to race, color, religion, sex, familial status, disability, national origin, source of income, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Additionally, the University endeavors to provide reasonable accommodations when necessary and to ensure equal access to qualified persons with disabilities.

In all circumstances, Utah State University follows state and federal laws related to sex-segregated spaces.

The following individuals have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the application of Title IX and its implementing regulations and/or USU’s non-discrimination policies:

For further information regarding non-discrimination, please visit crtix.usu.edu or contact:

U.S. Department of Education

Denver Regional Office

303-844-5695| OCR.Denver@ed.gov

U.S. Department of Education

Office of Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights

800-421-3481 |  OCR@ed.gov

*updated 10/2025