WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR

Baylor University is seeking a full-time Postdoctoral Research Associate to support the mission and vison of the University within the Program for the Future Church (PFFC) to advance grant-funded research and training. This post-doctoral position will engage in and advance research and training at the intersection of congregations, mental health, and leadership development. The Program for the Future Church’s goal through this research and initiative is to expand our capacity to equip and connect Christian leaders to discern their next steps in work and ministry. As detailed in the PFFC’s 2024 Impact Report, four programmatic areas guide this work: Convening, Contextual Research, Collaboration, and Curriculum. This Research Associate will support research and trainings that emerge from two grant-funded initiatives: “The Future Church Project” and “Tapestry of Care: Strengthening Mental Health Provider and Faith Community Partnerships to Bridge Scientific Research and Practice.” Funded by the Lilly Endowment, Inc. and the John Templeton Foundation, these projects are executed in collaboration with partners that include the Mission Waco, the Congregational Collective, and Harvard Medical School. Additional areas of research and resourcing will be identified by our team members, community partners, and through ongoing community-based research. This Associate will work directly with Dr. Dustin D. Benac and faculty affiliated with the initiative.
We are seeking one postdoctoral research associate with expertise and interest in partnering on the analysis, writing, and dissemination of these and related research. Additionally, this position will include opportunities to develop community-based curriculum that equips faith leaders to lead in shifting organizational contexts. This two-year, full-time fellowships will provide rich opportunities to deepen one’s research program, gain expertise in grant management and project develop, develop new topical and methodological expertise, forge new collaborations, and advance research and resourcing that engages local faith communities. Pending performance and the availability of funding, this position may be extended to a third year. Although the start dates are flexible, fellowships must begin no later than Fall 2025.
A Doctor of Philosophy or Doctor of Theology (Ph.D./Th.D.) in fields related to mental health, practical theology, sociology of religion, organizational leadership or related fields is required. [Applicants who are ABD are invited to apply if their degree is conferred by the start of the fellowship]

Required Experience:

• Experience related to mental health and congregational studies and/or their intersections
• Interdisciplinary research experience that uses qualitative or quantitative methods
• Experience teaching online or asynchronous modalities
• Experience working on and leading research projects

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Expertise in at least one research methodology
• Willingness to learn additional approaches to data collection and analyses (e.g., qualitative, quantitative, mixed method)
• Ability to engage relevant contemporary literature in religion, practical theology, mental health epidemiology, congregational studies, and organizational leadership
• Demonstrated aptitude in academic research and writing
• A demonstrated ability to collaborate with diverse partners and stakeholders
• Strong communication skills
• Desire to see faith communities thrive amid complex pressures

• Contributing to the design and implementation of core initiative studies
• Designing supplemental studies aligned with one’s individual interests, including measures, recruitment procedures, methods, and data analyses
• Working with community and ministry partners to inform this work
• Conducting systematic and other literature reviews
• Developing applications for foundation funding
• Working with team members to support grant reporting requirements
• Disseminating findings for both scholarly and lay audience
• Making presentations at state and national conferences
• Contributing to or leading data analyses and writing
• Collaborating with other team members on all aspects of this research
• Designing curriculum and teaching in a Certificate program for congregational leadership
• Perform all other duties as assigned to support Baylor’s mission
• Ability to comply with University policies
• Maintain regular and punctual attendance