Postdoctoral Research Scholar in Dynamic Research on Addiction and Momentary Assessment

Postdoctoral Research Scholar at Arizona State University Department of Psychology

The Department of Psychology at Arizona State University (ASU) invites applications for two Postdoctoral Research Scholars to join Dr. Jack Waddell’s Dynamic Research on Addiction and Momentary Assessment (DRAMA) Laboratory, a growing research lab focused on understanding when, why, and how alcohol and cannabis use unfold in daily life. This is an exciting opportunity for a candidate who wants to build a research career at the intersection of substance use, ecological momentary assessment (EMA), intensive longitudinal methods, and dynamic models of addiction. For more information, please visit: https://psychology.asu.edu/research/labs/drama-lab.

The position is a full-time (100% research), fiscal-year (12-month), benefits-eligible appointment with no tenure implications. One fellow will be supported by grant funding focused on alcohol and cannabis use and misuse in daily life awarded to Dr. Waddell and the other by local startup funding. The anticipated start date is July 1, 2027, although the start date is flexible. Salary will range from $61,008–$63,480, depending on years of prior postdoctoral experience, consistent with NIH postdoctoral salary standards.

This fellowship is designed for researchers who want to do more than contribute to existing projects—the ideal candidate will want to develop an independent research program by leading high-quality peer-reviewed publications and research grant submissions. The fellow will have substantial opportunities to:

• Work with intensive longitudinal and EMA data capturing substance use and related experiences as they unfold in daily life.
• Develop expertise in innovative approaches regarding statistical analyses of within-person processes, event-to-event dynamics, temporal associations, and individual differences in substance use.
• Collaborate on projects spanning alcohol use, cannabis use, co-use, alcohol and cannabis use disorders, subjective effects, affect, impulsivity, sleep, social context, and inhibitory control.
• Lead first-author and collaborative research manuscripts examining alcohol and cannabis use, misuse, and use-related processes in real-world settings.
• Help mentor graduate students and research staff, providing valuable experience for future academic positions.
• Develop and submit independent and collaborative NIH grant proposals, with mentorship and support toward K-level and R-level funding.

Importantly, the position is structured to maximize time for research, data analysis, scientific writing, collaboration, grant proposals, and career development.

This position is ideal for candidates pursuing research-intensive academic or academic medical center careers in alcohol and cannabis research, substance use disorders, behavioral health, or intensive longitudinal methods. The fellowship is intentionally structured to provide protected research time and opportunities to develop the products that matter for the next stage of an academic career: high-impact publications, conference presentations, collaborative networks, and competitive grant applications.

About The Department of Psychology

The Department of Psychology at Arizona State University (ASU) is a large, research-intensive department committed to advancing psychological science and preparing students to address complex challenges affecting individuals, communities, and societal health. Located on ASU’s Tempe campus, the department brings together faculty with expertise spanning behavioral neuroscience, clinical psychology, cognitive science, developmental psychology, quantitative research methods, and social psychology. The department supports a highly collaborative and interdisciplinary research environment, with more than 40 research laboratories investigating topics ranging from addiction and mental health to neuroscience, development, stress, emotion, decision-making, and social behavior. Faculty and trainees regularly collaborate across disciplines and with research centers and institutes throughout ASU, creating opportunities for innovative, translational, and scientifically rigorous research. For more information, please visit: https://psychology.asu.edu/ 

About The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences is the academic heart of Arizona State University, committed to improving communities on a local, national, and global scale. We support the professional development and growth of our faculty and staff in their cutting-edge research to advance these aims. Within The College, our faculty engage with a large, curious student body, guiding them as they grow into socially aware, critical thinkers and writers able to succeed in a wide range of careers and to address the challenges of the twenty- first century. Advancing the success of our students remains our top priority. To learn more about The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, please visit https://thecollege.asu.edu.

About Arizona State University

ASU exemplifies a new prototype for the American public research university. As articulated in the ASU Charter, ASU is a comprehensive public research university, measured not by whom it excludes, but by whom it includes and how they succeed; advancing research and discovery of public value; and assuming fundamental responsibility for the economic, social, cultural, and overall health of the communities it serves.

Essential Functions

·       Managing, cleaning, and harmonizing research data related to alcohol and cannabis use

·       Conducting and interpreting advanced statistical analyses addressing the study aims

·       Collaborating with the PI and research team on study implementation, data analysis, and scientific interpretation

·       Preparing manuscripts, conference presentations, reports, and other research products

·       Contributing to the development and refinement of research protocols, analytic plans, and study procedures

·       Maintaining accurate research documentation and ensuring compliance with applicable research and institutional requirements.

Required Qualifications

·       PhD or other terminal degree in Psychology, Clinical Psychology, Behavioral Science, Public Health, or a closely related field by the start date.

·       Candidates must be within five years from receipt of their doctoral degree.

·       Demonstrated research experience focused on alcohol, cannabis, substance use, or a closely related area.

Desired Qualifications

·       Demonstrated experience with quantitative research methods, with experience analyzing intensive longitudinal, ecological momentary assessment (EMA), daily diary, or other repeated-measures data strongly preferred.

·       Record of scholarly productivity, including peer-reviewed publications commensurate with career stage.

·       Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively on research projects.

·       Experience developing or contributing to NIH or other external grant proposals.

·       Demonstrated interest in developing an independent, externally funded research program.

·       Demonstrated commitment to working with faculty, staff, students, and communities to advance the principles of the ASU Charter.

Application Instructions:

The application deadline is September 15, 2026. Applications will continue to be accepted on a rolling basis for a reserve pool. Applications in the reserve pool may then be reviewed in the order in which they were received until the position is filled. Formal applications must be accomplished through submission of the following materials via interfolio at https://apply.interfolio.com/191609

• 1-page cover letter outlining interest and qualifications for the position

• Curriculum vitae

• 1 representative peer-reviewed publication

• The names and contact information for at least three professional references. References will be contacted for position finalists.

Inquiries concerning the search should be addressed to the Chair of the Search Committee, Jack Waddell, at [email protected]. Be sure to include “Postdoctoral Research Scholar Search” in the subject line when sending e-mails.

 Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

A background check is required for employment. Arizona State University is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor and an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other basis protected by law. ASU’s full nondiscrimination statement (ACD 401) is located on the ASU website at https://www.asu.edu/aad/manuals/acd/acd401.html and https://www.asu.edu/titleIX.

 Clery Act Statement

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