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. 

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

• 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.

• 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.