Postdoctoral Researcher

32317BR

Bureau of Child Research

Position Overview
The Postdoctoral Training Program at the
Kansas University Center on Disabilities (KUCD) is searching for a Postdoctoral Researcher to support research on self-determination,
transition, inclusive research and community engagement. To support development of an independent line of research, this position is
designed to provide opportunities and mentorship to advance skills in research project implementation and management, grant writing, and
information dissemination needed for research faculty positions. This position will work across projects to contribute to the development of
new and implementation of existing funded research projects, advance inclusive research practices, assist with research grant development,
and author or co-author scientific papers or other dissemination products for presentation and publication. These research projects include
focus in the following areas:

• Large-scale training and coaching for self-determination intervention to support youth and young adults
  to engage in goal setting, action planning, and self-evaluation activities.
• Community-engaged research with youth, young adults, and
  adults with intellectual and development disabilities and their family members to build systems of support for decision making,
  self-determination, and employment.
• Advancing inclusive research by establishing best practices to support people with intellectual
  and developmental disabilities to participate in all phases of the research process.
• Research focused on implementing evidence-based
  interventions, aligned with the tenets of implementation science.

The University of Kansas, Kansas University Center on
Disabilities (KUCD) is recognized as a leading research center in the field of disability. KUCD implements and conducts grant-funded
projects focusing on (a) applied research on effective assessment and intervention practices with a particular focus on self-determination,
transition to employment, supported decision making and (b) interdisciplinary training in the disability field. KUCD is part of the Life
Span Institute (LSI), a leading research unit at the University of Kansas. The KUCD maintains facilities on the University of Kansas
Lawrence campus and at the KU Medical Center in Kansas City. KUCD also houses the University Center for Excellence in Developmental
Disabilities (UCEDD) funded by the Administration on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities for the state of Kansas with a focus
on:

• Community Engagement (including community education, and direct services)
• Information
  Dissemination
• Interdisciplinary Training
• Research

This position is located at the University of
Kansas-Lawrence.

KUCD research staff are expected to actively engage in research projects and disseminate research results through
print, online resources, and direct, in-person presentation of information. KUCD is committed to fostering a supportive research and
educational environment for all faculty, staff, and students.

Due to complex state employment laws, the University of Kansas
may be unable to hire fully remote workers for this position outside of Kansas. Specifically, we cannot currently offer employment to
candidates residing in the following states: California, Delaware, Idaho, and Minnesota. We appreciate your understanding and invite
interested individuals from eligible states to apply.

Job Description
40% – Research Project
Implementation Support – Contribute and increasingly take on leadership roles related to the development of new and implementation of
existing, funded research projects in the areas of self-determination, transition, community engagement, inclusive research, and
participatory research:

• Manage study activities (e.g., data collection, data management, data analyses) required to meet
  project objectives under direction of the Director of KUCD.
• Develop and deliver training protocols and support materials related to
  interventions around self-determination, community engagement, and inclusive research.
• Assist with conducting analyses of data from
  research projects that use the Self-Determined Learning Model of Instruction (SDLMI), the Self-Determined Career Design Model (SDCDM), the
  Self-Determination Inventory, the Communicating Interagency Relationships and Collaborative Linkages for Exceptional Students (CIRCLES), and
  other interventions and assessments designed to increase self-determination and secondary transition outcomes.
• Engage with
  communities to conduct community engaged research promoting positive transition from high school to promote positive adult outcomes for
  youth with disabilities.
• Supervise and provide mentorship for graduate or undergraduate students working in support of research
  project goals.
• Secure IRB approval for study tasks when appropriate and ensure that research integrity policies are followed for all
  research involving human subjects.
• Prepare and submit progress reports to federal and other funding agencies.

25% –
Research Grant Development Support – Assist with and increasingly take on leadership roles related to the development of grant proposals to
support research activities relevant to the mission of KUCD:

• Develop or edit language for narrative grant
  components.
• Communicate with established research partners to solicit letters of support as required.
• Coordinate input from
  resource teams within the KU Life Span Institute (project development, finance and planning, communication) during grant
  preparation.

25% – Dissemination of Research Findings:

• Write technical reports, peer-reviewed journal
  articles, or other manuscripts related to research project activities and analyses.
• Disseminate and present findings and research
  activities at local, state, and national meetings and conferences.
• Develop publications to advance an independent line of
  research.
• Support plain language dissemination of research findings.

10% – Service – Provide service to the
profession, university, and community/public service:

• Engage and participate in community, state, and national meetings or
  groups that focus on self-determination, transition to post-secondary education and employment, or supports needs
  assessment.
• Participate in at least one professional association as a member and in association operations.
• Provide service
  to the field as a reviewer of research publications, and consultant for government agencies and foundations and other funding
  agencies.
• Provide consultation or educational support to local community groups or agencies.
• Participate in KUCD team
  meetings and events.

Required Qualifications

1. Doctorate degree in education (including special education),
   psychology (including clinical psychology), health and social sciences, disability studies, or related area.
2. Two years of experience
   with research and publication record in areas such as or related to: self-determination assessment and instruction; transition to
   post-secondary education and employment, and/or inclusive research as indicated by application materials.
3. Demonstrated strong
   professional writing skills, including research reports, peer-reviewed research articles, other print and electronic publications and
   experience presenting at conferences and professional meetings as indicated by application materials.

NOTE: To be appointed at the
Postdoctoral Researcher title or equivalent title, it is necessary to have the Ph.D. in hand. Appointments made without a certified
transcript indicating an earned doctorate are conditional hires and are appointed on an Acting basis not to exceed 6-months. Appointment
duration will be extended upon final verification of degree.

This position requires a formal degree in the cited discipline
area(s) to ensure that candidates have advanced knowledge, analytical skills and professional competencies necessary to perform the duties
of the position. The level of degree is commonly recognized as the standard qualification for similar roles in the public and private
sector, ensuring that the university remains competitive with industry aligned practices, enhances collaboration with external partners, and
supports the delivery of services and programs that meet professional and market-driven expectations.

Preferred
Qualifications

1. One year of project coordination experience for a research project related to areas such as:
   self-determination; transition to post-secondary education and employment; or inclusive research as indicated by application
   materials.
2. One year of supporting the development and submission of grants related to areas such as: self-determination; transition
   to post-secondary education and employment; or inclusive research as indicated by application materials.
3. Specific knowledge and
   interest in self-determination or community engaged research as indicated by application materials and interview, including open science
   practices.
4. Two years of experience participating in and contributing to approaches to training (in-person and virtual) and research
   that uses interdisciplinary teams and varied perspectives as indicated by application materials.
5. Strong organizational skills as
   demonstrated by application materials and interview.
6. Experience working with people with disabilities or their families as indicated
   by application materials.
7. Two years of experience requiring efficiency with software such as Excel, SPSS, SAS, or R as indicated by
   application materials.

Contact Information to Applicants
Karrie Shogren; shogren@ku.edu

Additional Candidate Instruction
In addition to the online
application, the following documents are required to be considered for this position:

• Cover letter describing how you meet the
  required and preferred qualifications.
• Resume
• List of three (3) professional references

Only complete
applications will be considered.

Application deadline is Sunday, 4/5/2026, by 11:59PM Central Standard Time.

Advertised Salary Range: $60,000-$65,000

Application Review Begins: 06-Apr-2026

Anticipated Start Date: 03-Aug-2026

Limited Term End Date
03-Aug-2027

Primary Campus
University of Kansas Lawrence Campus

FTE: 1.0

Reg/Temp: Regular

FLSA Status
Professional

Employee Class:
U-Unclassified Professional Staff

Work Schedule
8-5, M-F

Job Family
Research-KUL

Conditions of Employment
Contingent on Funding, Limited Term

Work
Location Assignment
Hybrid

Disclaimer
The University of Kansas prohibits discrimination on
the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, ancestry, disability, status as a veteran, sexual orientation,
marital status, parental status, gender identity, gender expression, and genetic information in the university’s programs and activities.
Retaliation is also prohibited by university policy. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the
nondiscrimination policies and is the Title IX coordinator for all KU and KUMC campuses: Associate Vice Chancellor for Civil Rights and
Title IX, civilrights@ku.edu, Room 1082, Dole Human Development Center, 1000 Sunnyside Avenue,
Lawrence, KS 66045, 785-864-6414, 711 TTY.

Tagged as: Employment