POSTDOCTORAL SCHOLAR

Requisition # 4592 Position Basics Advertising Ends on: Thursday, July 9th, 2026 Advertising Started on: Monday, May 4th, 2026

College:

College of Liberal Arts & Sciences Department:

Health Sport and Human Physiology Salary Salary:

$63,480.00 to

Commensurate Position Details Full/Part Time Status:

Full Time Percent Time:

100%

Position Description:

Postdoctoral Research Position The Physical Activity and Women's Health (PAWH) Lab at the University of Iowa invites applications for a postdoctoral research scholar in the fields of exercise science, epidemiology, and maternal/perinatal health. The overall mission of the PAWH lab is to better understand the determinants and health effects of modifiable lifestyle behaviors (e.g., sedentary behavior, physical activity, sleep) to inform behavioral interventions to improve health outcomes in at-risk populations. The individual selected for this NIH-funded postdoctoral position would primarily work on two multi-center observational cohort studies investigating whether sedentary behavior, physical activity, and sleep patterns in pregnancy are related to adverse pregnancy outcomes and growth patterns and cardiovascular health in children: the Pregnancy 24/7 Study (R01HL153095) and the Offspring Study (R01HL164662). Responsibilities will include data management and quality control, activity and sleep monitor data processing, participating in multi-site study meetings, training and supervising new lab members, and additional lab related tasks as needed. The individual selected for this position will also contribute to the laboratory by conducting data analysis, writing manuscripts and grant applications, actively participating in collaborative research meetings and journal club sessions, and attending departmental seminars. The trainee will also be expected to develop and test novel research ideas using data from the Pregnancy 24/7 Study and/or the Offspring Study. The primary mentor for this position is Dr. Kara Whitaker (https://clas.uiowa.edu/hhp/people/kara-m-whitaker), but the trainee will also collaborate with a larger team of epidemiologists, biostatisticians, and obstetricians and gynecologists, and pediatricians at the University of Iowa, University of Pittsburgh, and West Virginia University. The preferred start date for this position is August 2026, but later start dates will be considered. This is a 1-year position with the option to extend for up to 2 additional years depending on performance and grant funding. The ideal candidate will be interested in an academic career conducting epidemiological or intervention research related to sedentary behavior, physical activity, sleep, maternal and child health outcomes, and/or cardiovascular disease.

Education Requirement:

PhD degree in Exercise Science, Kinesiology, Health Promotion, Epidemiology, Biostatistics or related field.

Required Qualifications:

Strong written and interpersonal communication skills. Able to work and learn independently and motivated to contribute to the wider research mission of the lab. Strong statistical background with ability to analyze data independently. Existing track record of peer-reviewed scientific journal publications. Well-organized and able to coordinate and interact with a team of other graduate students, research assistants, undergraduates, and intra- and extramural collaborators. Highly motivated.

Desirable Qualifications:

Experience with accelerometers (i.e., activPAL, ActiGraph, Actiwatch). Experience with pediatric and adult anthropometric and blood pressure measurements. Knowledge of methods to assess arterial stiffness (pulse wave velocity). Research experience with physical activity assessment and/or child health.

Online Application Required Documents Curriculum Vita Name and Contact Information of References Letters of Interest Number of References:

3 To start the Online Application process for this position, click the "Apply for This Position" button located below the Contact Information.

Contact Information Contact:

Kara Whitaker kara-whitaker@uiowa.edu Clas-Health Sport & Human Phys Field House 225 South Grand Avenue E116 FH Iowa City, IA 52242-1111

Department URL:

https://pawh.lab.uiowa.edu/ The University of Iowa is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment free from discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth and related conditions), disability, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, service in the U.S. military, sexual orientation, or associational preferences. Persons with disabilities may contact University Human Resources/Faculty and Staff Disability Services, (319) 335-2660 or fsds@uiowa.edu, to inquire or discuss accommodation needs. Prospective employees may review the University Campus Security Policy and the latest annual crime statistics by contacting the Department of Public Safety at 319/335-5022.

POSTDOCTORAL SCHOLAR 4.1 4.1

out of 5 stars 225 South Grand Avenue, Iowa City, IA 52242 $63,480 a year - Full-time The University of Iowa 1,303 reviews $63,480 a year - Full-time Requisition # 4592 Position Basics Advertising Ends on: Thursday, July 9th, 2026 Advertising Started on: Monday, May 4th, 2026

College:

College of Liberal Arts & Sciences Department:

Health Sport and Human Physiology Salary Salary:

$63,480.00 to

Commensurate Position Details Full/Part Time Status:

Full Time Percent Time:

100%

Position Description:

Postdoctoral Research Position The Physical Activity and Women's Health (PAWH) Lab at the University of Iowa invites applications for a postdoctoral research scholar in the fields of exercise science, epidemiology, and maternal/perinatal health. The overall mission of the PAWH lab is to better understand the determinants and health effects of modifiable lifestyle behaviors (e.g., sedentary behavior, physical activity, sleep) to inform behavioral interventions to improve health outcomes in at-risk populations. The individual selected for this NIH-funded postdoctoral position would primarily work on two multi-center observational cohort studies investigating whether sedentary behavior, physical activity, and sleep patterns in pregnancy are related to adverse pregnancy outcomes and growth patterns and cardiovascular health in children: the Pregnancy 24/7 Study (R01HL153095) and the Offspring Study (R01HL164662). Responsibilities will include data management and quality control, activity and sleep monitor data processing, participating in multi-site study meetings, training and supervising new lab members, and additional lab related tasks as needed. The individual selected for this position will also contribute to the laboratory by conducting data analysis, writing manuscripts and grant applications, actively participating in collaborative research meetings and journal club sessions, and attending departmental seminars. The trainee will also be expected to develop and test novel research ideas using data from the Pregnancy 24/7 Study and/or the Offspring Study. The primary mentor for this position is Dr. Kara Whitaker (https://clas.uiowa.edu/hhp/people/kara-m-whitaker), but the trainee will also collaborate with a larger team of epidemiologists, biostatisticians, and obstetricians and gynecologists, and pediatricians at the University of Iowa, University of Pittsburgh, and West Virginia University. The preferred start date for this position is August 2026, but later start dates will be considered. This is a 1-year position with the option to extend for up to 2 additional years depending on performance and grant funding. The ideal candidate will be interested in an academic career conducting epidemiological or intervention research related to sedentary behavior, physical activity, sleep, maternal and child health outcomes, and/or cardiovascular disease.

Education Requirement:

PhD degree in Exercise Science, Kinesiology, Health Promotion, Epidemiology, Biostatistics or related field.

Required Qualifications:

Strong written and interpersonal communication skills. Able to work and learn independently and motivated to contribute to the wider research mission of the lab. Strong statistical background with ability to analyze data independently. Existing track record of peer-reviewed scientific journal publications. Well-organized and able to coordinate and interact with a team of other graduate students, research assistants, undergraduates, and intra- and extramural collaborators. Highly motivated.

Desirable Qualifications:

Experience with accelerometers (i.e., activPAL, ActiGraph, Actiwatch). Experience with pediatric and adult anthropometric and blood pressure measurements. Knowledge of methods to assess arterial stiffness (pulse wave velocity). Research experience with physical activity assessment and/or child health.

Online Application Required Documents Curriculum Vita Name and Contact Information of References Letters of Interest Number of References:

3 To start the Online Application process for this position, click the "Apply for This Position" button located below the Contact Information.

Contact Information Contact:

Kara Whitaker kara-whitaker@uiowa.edu Clas-Health Sport & Human Phys Field House 225 South Grand Avenue E116 FH Iowa City, IA 52242-1111

Department URL:

https://pawh.lab.uiowa.edu/ The University of Iowa is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment free from discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth and related conditions), disability, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, service in the U.S. military, sexual orientation, or associational preferences. Persons with disabilities may contact University Human Resources/Faculty and Staff Disability Services, (319) 335-2660 or fsds@uiowa.edu, to inquire or discuss accommodation needs. Prospective employees may review the University Campus Security Policy and the latest annual crime statistics by contacting the Department of Public Safety at 319/335-5022.