Durham, NC, US, 27710

Post-Doctoral Associate

Religion and Social Change Lab

Duke Global Health Institute

The Religion and Social Change Lab (RaSCL) at Duke University is seeking a postdoctoral research associate for research investigating the training and formation of religious leaders at from seminary into early career. This position is part of the larger Seminary to Early Ministry Study, a mixed method, longitudinal study tracking students' theological beliefs, social and political attitudes, physical and mental health, social networks, academic experiences, and career aspirations.  

Responsibilities will include qualitative data collection, analysis, and writing. It will also involve developing research protocols, participant interactions and scheduling, manuscript preparation, IRB submissions, and the supervision of students and research assistants.

The ideal candidate will have training and experience in qualitative methods including in-depth interviews and ethnography as well as substantive interests in the social scientific study of religion. Preference will be given to candidates with interests and/or a background in the study of clergy, congregations, religious education, professional socialization, and/or health. Familiarity with Mainline Protestant denominations and/or seminary education is a plus as is experience in team-based qualitative analysis and/or mixed-methods research. 

Applicants must hold a PhD in sociology or a closely related field (e.g. religious studies, anthropology, psychology) prior to the start date.  

While this position is housed administratively within the Duke Global Health Institute, it will provide the opportunity to closely with other researchers across Duke, including in the Department of Sociology, Duke Divinity School and the Clergy Health Initiative.

The initial appointment will be for two years, with the expectation of renewal for a third year pending positive performance. Review of candidates will begin immediately, until the position is filled.

The anticipated start date is July 1, 2023. The position will require relocation to the Raleigh/Durham area and participation in the intellectual life of RaSCL and the broader clergy research collaborative. The position will involve occasional travel to conduct fieldwork in North Carolina and/or around the Southeastern USA.

This is not a remote position. We expect the hired candidate to relocated to the Durham area and to participate fully in the intellectual life of RaSCL and the broader Collaborative. The position will involve occasional travel to conduct fieldwork in North Carolina and/or around the Southeastern USA.  

Minimum Qualifications

Education

See job description for education requirements.

Experience

See job description for requirements.

Duke is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Essential Physical Job Functions: Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.