Postdoctoral Fellow
General Description
The REACT (Response and Exposure to Advertising and Communication on HealTh) Lab in the Department of Health, Behavior & Society at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health is accepting applications for a post-doctoral fellow to begin in the fall of 2026 (anticipated start date of September 1, 2026). The focus of this fellowship is on research to examine ways to communicate about the tobacco product continuum of risk. This work, funded via an NIH U01 grant, involves an online survey, neuroimaging and eye-tracking study and an EMA-based study examining response to messaging. The initial appointment is for one year with the possibility for renewal for a second year. Information about our lab and work is available at: reactlabjhu.org
The research fellow will gain skills and expertise to be successful as an independent investigator. The research fellow will work closely with Dr. Meghan Moran and colleagues on a federally-funded research project. The fellow will receive training and mentoring on health communication, tobacco control, regulatory science, manuscript preparation, and grant writing. The postdoctoral fellow will have the opportunity to attend relevant short courses, workshops and seminars, and will have opportunities for authoring peer-reviewed manuscripts, presenting at scientific meetings, networking with experts, and collaboration on interdisciplinary research with faculty from Johns Hopkins University, University of Pennsylvania, University of Maryland, and federal partners. Candidates from diverse backgrounds, including those from groups that are underrepresented in health-related research, are strongly encouraged to apply.
Starting salary range: $62,000-$72,000. Not all candidates will be eligible for the upper end of the salary range. The actual compensation offered to the selected candidate may vary and will ultimately depend on multiple factors, including years of work experience. Generally, NIH guidelines for postdoctoral fellows are followed based on your post-doctoral years of experience (https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-25-105.html). Johns Hopkins University offers all postdoctoral fellows a comprehensive benefit package. More information can be found here: https://provost.jhu.edu/education/postdoctoral-affairs/postdoc-wellness-benefits-and-policies/. Please note that PRO-UAW has established a union which represents all postdoctoral research fellows at the Johns Hopkins University. The University and PRO-UAW will be engaging in negotiations for a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) that will set forth terms and conditions of employment and which could result in changes to the compensation and benefits described in this posting.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications:
- Doctoral degree (or earning the degree by the start date) in public health, communication, social and behavioral science, or related fields
- Demonstrated experience in quantitative methods and statistical analysis
- Strong communication skills, including written skills
- Ability to work collaboratively, as part of a team, as well to lead work and complete projects independently
Preferred Qualifications:
- Strong background in quantitative method for multilevel, nested and/or longitudinal data and/or
- Experience with neuroimaging (fNIRS, and/or fMRI) and/or
- Experience with eye-tracking studies
- Experience in tobacco regulatory science/tobacco control
Application Instructions
Please submit a CV, cover letter describing your research experience and interests (no more than 1-2 pages) and contact information for 3 references. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, with those submitted by March 30, 2026 given priority consideration. Please email Dr. Moran at mmoran22@jhu.edu with questions.
Salary Range
The referenced salary range represents the minimum and maximum salaries for this position and is based on Johns Hopkins University's good faith belief at the time of posting. Not all candidates will be eligible for the upper end of the salary range. The actual compensation offered to the selected candidate may vary and will ultimately depend on multiple factors, which may include the successful candidate's geographic location, skills, work experience, internal equity, market conditions, education/training and other factors, as reasonably determined by the University.
Total Rewards
Johns Hopkins offers a total rewards package that supports our employees' health, life, career and retirement. More information can be found here: https://hr.jhu.edu/benefits-worklife/.
Equal Opportunity Employer
The Johns Hopkins University is committed to equal opportunity for its faculty, staff, and students. To that end, the university does not discriminate on the basis of sex, gender, marital status, pregnancy, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status or other legally protected characteristic. The university is committed to providing qualified individuals access to all academic and employment programs, benefits and activities on the basis of demonstrated ability, performance and merit without regard to personal factors that are irrelevant to the program involved.
Pre-Employment Information
If you are interested in applying for employment with The Johns Hopkins University and require special assistance or accommodation during any part of the pre-employment process, please contact the HR Business Services Office at jhurecruitment@jhu.edu. For TTY users, call via Maryland Relay or dial 711. For more information about workplace accommodations or accessibility at Johns Hopkins University, please visit accessibility.jhu.edu.
Background Checks
The successful candidate(s) for this position will be subject to a pre-employment background check including education verification.
EEO is the Law:
https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2023-06/22-088_EEOC_KnowYourRights6.12ScreenRdr.pdf
Vaccine Requirements
Johns Hopkins University strongly encourages, but no longer requires, at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. The COVID-19 vaccine does not apply to positions located in the State of Florida. We still require all faculty, staff, and students to receive the seasonal flu vaccine. Exceptions to the COVID and flu vaccine requirements may be provided to individuals for religious beliefs or medical reasons. Requests for an exception must be submitted to the JHU vaccination registry. This change does not apply to the School of Medicine (SOM). SOM hires must be fully vaccinated with an FDA COVID-19 vaccination and provide proof of vaccination status. For additional information, applicants for SOM positions should visit https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/coronavirus/covid-19-vaccine/ and all other JHU applicants should visit https://covidinfo.jhu.edu/health-safety/covid-vaccination-information/.
The following additional vaccine requirements may apply, depending upon your campus. Please contact the hiring department for more information. The pre-employment physical for positions in clinical areas, laboratories, working with research subjects, or involving community contact requires documentation of immune status against Rubella (German measles), Rubeola (Measles), Mumps, Varicella (chickenpox), Hepatitis B and documentation of having received the Tdap (Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) vaccination. This may include documentation of having two (2) MMR vaccines; two (2) Varicella vaccines; or antibody status to these diseases from laboratory testing. Blood tests for immunities to these diseases are ordinarily included in the pre-employment physical exam except for those employees who provide results of blood tests or immunization documentation from their own health care providers. Any vaccinations required for these diseases will be given at no cost in our Occupational Health office.