Job TitlePostdoctoral Scholar- Engineering Wellness CenterRequisition NumberDU13607Department Name8G030:Educational, School and Counseling PsychWork LocationLexington, KYSalary Range$58,000 annualType of PositionStudentPosition Time Status Full-TimeRequired Education
Earned doctorate degree in engineering education, psychology, or a related discipline.
Required Related Experience
Knowledge of quantitative and/or qualitative social science research methods is required.
Required License/Registration/Certification
N/A
Physical Requirements
Sitting for long periods of time, repetitive motion related to computer work, physical activity related to lab and fieldwork; including regular standing, walking, or sitting; using hands to handle or feel; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. Occasionally required to stoop, kneel, or crouch. The employee must occasionally lift or move up to 25 pounds.
Shift
Monday-Friday 8:00am-5:00pm, weekends or evenings may be required by project work.
Job Summary
Position Information:
The appointment will be for two years. Compensation will include competitive salary and benefits. More information on benefits can be found here: https://postdoc.uky.edu/current-postdocs/benefits
Responsibilities:
The University of Kentucky’s Pigman College of Engineering seeks a postdoctoral scholar to support the establishment of an NSF-funded Engineering Wellness Center (EWC). The EWC is a collaborative initiative that integrates mental health and well-being into engineering education through research-informed programming, student support, and culture change efforts. Co-advised by Dr. Sarah Wilson (Chemical Engineering) and Dr. Joseph Hammer (Counseling Psychology), the scholar will lead research on the impact of wellness initiatives and help develop scalable interventions and training materials that promote student well-being across the college. The postdoctoral scholar will work onsite in Lexington, Kentucky and will directly engage with students through the Engineering Wellness Center.
Key Responsibilities:
- Conduct original research on the impact of engineering wellness interventions using both quantitative and qualitative methods.
- Collaborate with faculty, staff, and students to co-create workshops and materials that enhance student well-being and belonging.
- Translate findings into evidence-informed practices and contribute to scholarship through publications and presentations.
- Support the integration of wellness strategies across engineering courses, co-curricular spaces, and campus systems.
- Participate in interdisciplinary team meetings and contribute to grant reporting and future funding proposals.
Required Documents for Application Submission:
Curriculum Vitae – A CV providing a comprehensive statement of your educational background and research experience must be attached before submitting your application. A .pdf file should be uploaded.
References - Obtain two professional references to include with your application. The references should be combined into one file and uploaded as a .pdf file under “Specific Request 1” on the application document screen.
Cover Letter - A 1-2 page cover letter that addresses: (1) Your research interests and how they align with the goals of the EWC (2) Relevant experience with student mental health, well-being, or systems-level change in education, (3) Your interest in interdisciplinary collaboration and working across fields such as engineering, counseling psychology, and higher education, (4) What you hope to gain from the postdoctoral experience and how it connects to your long-term goals. A .pdf file should be uploaded.
Location: The University of Kentucky is situated in Lexington Kentucky, a vibrant and progressive, family-friendly city with a bustling entertainment scene conveniently situated in the inner bluegrass region of Kentucky just 80 miles from Louisville and Cincinnati and a short drive to the world-renowned Red River Gorge and Daniel Boone National Forest. Lexington airport is well connected with daily flights to several major hubs (Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit, Dallas, Houston, Washington, New York, Philadelphia) making travel to any national or international destination simple.
Skills / Knowledge / Abilities
The candidate should also have excellent written and oral communication skills and social science skills.
Does this position have supervisory responsibilities? NoPreferred Education/ExperienceDeadline to Apply07/31/2025Our University Community
We value the well-being of each of our employees and are dedicated to creating a healthy place for everyone to work, learn and live. In the interest of maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our students, employees, patients and visitors the University of Kentucky is a Tobacco & Drug Free campus.
As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we strongly encourage veterans, individuals with disabilities, women, and all minorities to consider our employment opportunities.
Any candidate offered a position may be required to pass pre-employment screenings as mandated by University of Kentucky Human Resources. These screenings may include a national background check and/or drug screen.
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
Equal employment opportunity, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.
