The University of Michigan’s School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS) is offering a Postdoctoral Research Associate position for 2026, working under the mentorship of Dr. Nina Brooks. This interdisciplinary role focuses on the intersection of environmental exposures, development, and health economics, specifically analyzing informal industries like brick manufacturing. The successful candidate will utilize large-scale environmental datasets, remotely sensed data, and econometric methods to estimate causal effects of climate change. Benefits include competitive health insurance and a unique 2-for-1 retirement contribution match. Applicants must hold a PhD in a quantitative social science discipline and demonstrate expertise in R and causal inference. The application deadline is February 28, 2026.
University of Michigan Postdoctoral Research Associate Program 2026 Summary Table
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Host Institution | University of Michigan (SEAS) |
| Host Country | United States of America |
| Category | Postdoctoral Research / Fellowship |
| Eligible Nationalities | International & Domestic Applicants |
| Reward | Full Salary + 2-for-1 Retirement Match + Benefits |
| Key Criteria | PhD in Economics, Policy, or Data Science |
| Application Deadline | February 28, 2026 |
University of Michigan Postdoctoral Research Associate Program 2026 Details
The School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS) at the University of Michigan is a premier institution dedicated to solving the world’s most pressing environmental challenges. The 2026 Postdoctoral Research Associate Program offers an elite pathway for researchers to bridge the gap between environmental science and economic policy. Working with Dr. Nina Brooks, the associate will engage in high-impact research involving air pollution, climate datasets, and field-based surveys.
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This program is particularly suited for scholars interested in the “informal economy” and its environmental footprint in South Asia. Beyond data analysis, the role emphasizes professional development, allowing the researcher to lead manuscript preparation and collaborate with international interdisciplinary teams.
Scholarship Details
The SEAS Postdoctoral Associate will be responsible for integrating complex administrative and environmental datasets. A significant portion of the role involves performing econometric analyses and assisting in the design of randomized controlled experiments. The university provides a robust infrastructure for high-performance computing (HPC) and professional mentorship to ensure the associate’s transition into a permanent faculty or senior research role.
Benefits of the University of Michigan Postdoctoral Research Associate Program 2026
The University of Michigan offers a tiered support system that ensures financial security and professional growth for its postdoctoral associates.
Tier 1: The Michigan Premier Benefits Package
- Retirement Security: A distinguished retirement plan providing two-for-1 matching contributions with immediate vesting, significantly outperforming standard institutional offers.
- Comprehensive Health Coverage: Multiple choices for premium health insurance, life insurance, and long-term disability coverage for the associate and their family.
Tier 2: Research & Global Fieldwork Support
- South Asia Field Opportunities: Potential funding and logistics for conducting field research in South Asia, specifically focusing on informal manufacturing sectors.
- HPC & Data Infrastructure: Access to University of Michigan’s high-performance computing clusters and premium remotely-sensed environmental datasets.
Tier 3: Professional Development & Wellness
- Career Advancement: Guided training in grant writing, manuscript leadership, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
- Work-Life Balance: Generous paid time off and flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care expenses.
Eligibility Requirements for the University of Michigan Postdoctoral Research Associate Program 2026
- Academic/Leadership: A PhD in Economics, Public Policy, Data Science, or a related quantitative social science discipline. Expertise in causal inference and machine learning is required.
- Study Status: Applicants must have obtained their PhD prior to the appointment or within four months of the start date.
- Visa/Status: Open to qualified candidates globally; international scholars must meet U.S. work authorization requirements for postdoctoral associates.
- Program Admission: Strong proficiency in R, version control (GitHub), and experience with large-scale environmental/spatial datasets is mandatory.
How to Apply for the University of Michigan Postdoctoral Research Associate Program 2026 (Step by Step)
- Apply for Program: Prepare a cover letter (maximum 2 pages) that outlines your research interests and directly addresses your experience with environmental data and econometrics.
- Automatic Evaluation: Attach your cover letter as the first page of your comprehensive Curriculum Vitae (CV) and include a relevant research writing sample.
- Eligibility Assessment: Submit the contact information for at least three professional references who can speak to your quantitative skills and research potential.
- Notification of Award: Applications are reviewed after the February 28 deadline, with shortlisted candidates invited for virtual interviews with Dr. Nina Brooks and the SEAS committee.
Application Deadline: February 28, 2026
CLICK HERE TO APPLY
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is the primary focus of this postdoctoral position?
The role focuses on the intersection of environment, development, and health economics, specifically studying informal industries and climate exposures.
2. Is a PhD required at the time of application?
You can apply while finishing your degree, but the PhD must be obtained within four months of the official start date.
3. Which programming languages are most important for this role?
High proficiency in R is required, along with experience using GitHub for version control.
4. What is the “two-for-one” retirement match?
For every dollar you contribute to your retirement plan, the University of Michigan contributes two dollars, with immediate vesting.
5. Does the position involve international travel?
Yes, there are opportunities to participate in field research projects in South Asia, depending on the candidate’s interests and project needs.
6. What kind of datasets will the researcher use?
The associate will integrate survey/administrative data with high-resolution climate, temperature, and air pollution datasets (remotely sensed).
7. Who is the primary faculty mentor for this program?
The successful candidate will work directly with Dr. Nina Brooks at the School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS).
8. Are there benefits for family members?
Yes, the university offers comprehensive health insurance choices and flexible spending accounts that cover dependent care.
9. What quantitative methods are required?
Demonstrated expertise in causal inference methods and data science methodologies, such as machine learning, is essential.
10. How should the cover letter be submitted?
The cover letter must be attached as the first page of your CV and submitted as a single document.
