The University of Iowa College of Education seeks two (2) applicants for a 2-year postdoctoral research training fellowship position focused on culturally responsive intervention research in education leadership and school mental health. The successful fellow will demonstrate an interest in improving K-12 education systems through enhancing culturally responsive education leadership practices around school mental health.  The position is for two years, and the stipend will be $63,480 annually with benefits. Candidates will also receive up to $10,000 annually to cover research costs and professional development. Anticipated start date is August 1, 2026.

The postdoctoral research training fellowships are funded by the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) National Center for Education Research (NCER) that will support a total of four fellows for two years each. Over the course of their 2-year positions, postdoctoral fellows will work with their primary mentor(s) on ongoing research projects, conduct independent research, and engage in professional development activities that build knowledge and skills related to the IES Standards for Excellence in Education Research, advanced research methods in experimental and quasi-experimental, advanced statistical analyses, grant writing and management, and dissemination.

By the end of the training program, postdoctoral fellows will have produced publications and presentations, designed their own original research project within an active funded research project, and prepared a grant proposal that can serve as a foundation for future IES Development & Innovation research proposals in the education leadership or social and behavioral context for academic learning strands. We anticipate that Fellows’ research findings can inform actionable insights for K-12 school leaders around culturally responsive leadership practices for school mental health.

Brief Description of active research projects: Primary faculty mentors include Drs. Ariel Aloe, Duhita Mahatmya, Gerta Bardhoshi, and Ain Grooms. Affiliated faculty mentors include Drs. Allison Bruhn, Megan Foley Nicpon, and Sherry Watt.  Fellows will work with primary mentors to identify additional faculty, as needed. Fellows will have research roles in school mental health related projects funded by the U.S. Department of Education.  Across all projects, fellows will work directly with school leaders and stakeholders, evaluate current interventions related to critical school mental health topics, and pilot school-based interventions focused on education leaders’ practice in a variety of settings including underserved rural schools and districts and high need urban schools.

To Apply:

Interested applicants should send the following information to:  Duhita Mahatmya (duhita-mahatmya@uiowa.edu) 

(Please email with subject line: IESPostdoc Application [last name])

1. Cover letter describing (a) how experiences in K-12 schools, mental health, and/or culturally responsive research aligns with the scope of the fellowship (as described in the position description) and (b) the applicants’ research goals and proposed projects during the fellowship. (Applicants who do not have their doctorate at the time of application will need to include their anticipated completion date in the cover letter.)


2. Curriculum vitae 


3. Scholarly writing sample (at least one)


4. Names and contact information for three references 

Review of applications will begin June 15, 2026.

About the College

The College of Education offers more than 80 undergraduate and graduate degree programs, including licensure, endorsement, and certificate programs, many of which are regularly ranked among the best in the nation.  Students study with our world-renowned faculty who are the leaders, scholars, and innovators in their fields.  Our college is comprised of four departments: Educational Policy and Leadership Studies, Psychological and Quantitative Foundations, Rehabilitation and Counselor Education, and Teaching and Learning. Current active research projects are funded through US Department of Education, IES, NIH, NSF, HRSA, SAMHSA, and other agencies.

About the University and Surrounding Community:

The University of Iowa (UI) is a world-renowned institution located in Iowa City, an UNESCO City of Literature that is recognized as one of the country’s most livable communities. With more than 70,000 residents, Iowa City is an attractive haven for scholars, scientists, artists, writers, and professionals of all kinds.  Highlights of living in Iowa City include outstanding schools and libraries, a lively downtown offering an array of events focused on arts, learning, and cultural development, and the unique charm of a vibrant college town connected by easy travel to larger cities like Chicago, Minneapolis, and St. Louis. Iowa City and UI are intertwined for the benefit of the university and the surrounding communities.

The University of Iowa prohibits discrimination in employment, educational programs, and activities 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. The university also affirms its commitment to providing equal opportunities and equal access to university facilities. For additional information on nondiscrimination policies, contact the Senior Director, Office of Civil Rights Compliance, the University of Iowa, 202 Jessup Hall, Iowa City, IA 52242-1316, 319-335-0705, ui-ocrc@uiowa.edu.

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.

• Have earned doctorates (PhD or EdD) in educational policy, education leadership, educational measurement and statistics, or mental-health related fields (i.e., clinical mental health counseling, school counseling, school psychology, counseling psychology, and social work) before the fellowship start date (August 1, 2026).

Minimum Requirements: Applicants must:

• Demonstrate a research interest relevant to K-12 education and/or mental health in the United States. 


• Be a citizen or a permanent resident of the United States. 

Strong Candidate Qualifications:

• Document relevant work and/or research experiences in K-12 schools or mental health settings.


• Document a commitment to and/or interest in equity-oriented, culturally responsive research, assessment, and/or practice.


• Document relevant experiences and competencies in quantitative, qualitative, and/or mixed methods projects.


• Demonstrate a record of research engagement through publications, presentations, and other dissemination products related to educational leadership and/or school mental health.


• Can work both independently and in a collegial and cooperative manner with faculty and research teams across departments/disciplines.