Human Services Applied Research and Policy Fellow

The University of Denver (DU) endeavors to be a great private university dedicated to the public good. The University recognizes that its success is dependent on how well it lives these values, including how we engage, support, and champion members both at DU and in the greater community.  To learn more about the University of Denver’s mission, vision and values, please visit: https://www.du.edu/about/mission-vision-values. The university, and department, provides a number of resources and supports for incoming faculty to support these goals. 

DU is a medium-sized R1 university situated in the Denver metro area, a vibrant urban center in the Rocky Mountain region that is home to more than 3 million people. Our metropolitan location supports collaboration across local universities. DU is comprised of approximately 6,000 undergraduates (including ~700 psychology majors), 6,200 graduate students, and over 780 full-time faculty.   

As the University’s largest and most varied academic unit, the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences (CAHSS) is comprised of artists, learners, performers, scholars, scientists, and teachers across 21+ departments, programs, schools, and centers and acts as a central hub where many of the University's disciplines intersect. Nearly all 6,000 undergraduates at the University take liberal arts courses with us, and about one-third of these students declare a first major in a CAHSS program. Most of our departments, programs and schools offer master's or doctoral programs. CAHSS scholars, artists, instructors, staff, and students collaborate in a shared quest for knowledge about the human condition and the development of skills to improve our local and global communities. The broad scope of CAHSS allows our students to gain the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed at nearly any career in today’s global society. 

The Department of Psychology at the University of Denver (DU) is a research-oriented unit, valuing a collaborative and integrative approach to psychological science that fosters intellectual curiosity and innovation and invests in people in a supportive environment. Our mission is to advance psychological science by generating and sharing new knowledge through collaborative scholarship, educating and mentoring student scholars, and contributing to the public good. We are a highly collaborative, research-oriented department that values interdisciplinary perspectives and connections across traditional department areas (see www.du.edu/psychology for more information).

Our department’s vision is to be an inclusive intellectual community that fosters discovery and innovation. Students and faculty in the Psychology Department actively engage in best practices in inclusive teaching, research, and service. Our department is home to two research institutes - the Stress, Early Experience, and Development (SEED) Research Institute and the Institute for Relationship Science. The department's PhD program is currently ranked 62 in the nation.

The Institute for Relationship Science in the University of Denver’s Department of Psychology invites applications for a Human Services Applied Research and Policy Fellow position. The fellow will contribute to the federally funded National Center for Work, Economic Mobility, and Strong Families, led by Galena Rhoades, Ph.D. Fellows will be employed by DU and work with federal host offices in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Appointments are generally for one year, with possible continuation based on performance, program and host-office needs, and available funding.

Openings include placements with the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE); the Division of Economic Independence within the Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation (OPRE); additional OPRE placements; the Office of Family Assistance (OFA); and the Office of Community Services (OCS). OPRE, OFA, and OCS are within the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), HHS. Assignments will reflect federal research priorities, office needs, and each fellow’s expertise. Residence in or relocation to the Washington, DC, area may be required; work arrangements will follow host-office requirements.

The fellow will conduct applied research, evaluation, and analysis to inform human services policy and practice. Areas of interest include employment, economic mobility, public assistance and TANF, marriage and family stability, responsible fatherhood, child well-being, child care, and human services effectiveness. Each fellow will have a designated DU supervisor and a federal policy mentor, an Individual Fellowship Plan, and access to methodological mentoring, professional development, peer learning, and research communication opportunities.

This position is grant funded. 

The primary responsibilities are:

• Conduct applied research, evaluation, data analysis, or evidence synthesis aligned with the federal host office’s priorities and the approved fellowship work plan.
• Develop and carry out research plans, maintain appropriate documentation, and manage data in accordance with University and federal requirements.
• Prepare research reports, policy briefs, presentations, and other products that communicate findings and limitations to research, policy, and practice audiences.
• Collaborate with federal staff, DU supervisors, and other researchers to frame policy-relevant questions and interpret evidence.
• Participate in regular DU supervision, federal policy mentoring, and progress review; contribute to the development and review of the Individual Fellowship Plan.
• Participate in professional development, peer learning, and Center activities that support research quality and policy communication.
• Perform other related duties as assigned within the approved fellowship scope.

• Strong grounding in research design and quantitative, qualitative, or mixed methods relevant to the placement.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain research to nontechnical audiences.
• Ability to analyze and interpret data or research evidence accurately and communicate uncertainty and limitations.
• Strong analytical thinking, sound judgment, attention to detail, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to organize work, meet deadlines, and adapt to changing research and policy priorities.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues from different disciplines and professional backgrounds.
• Knowledge of research integrity, confidentiality, and responsible handling of sensitive data.

• Advanced degree in a relevant social science, public policy, or related field, such as economics, psychology, sociology, public administration, social work, education, or public health; a strong academic or professional research record; and the ability to complete required federal credentialing and University employment requirements. Postdoctoral appointments require a completed doctoral degree by the start date.
• At least one-year prior experience in a similar fellowship position.

• Research expertise in one or more relevant areas, including work and economic mobility, public assistance, family relationships, responsible fatherhood, child well-being, child care, health services, or human services policy.
• Experience with administrative or longitudinal data, program evaluation, causal inference, implementation science, qualitative or mixed methods, or cost and cost-effectiveness analysis.
• Experience collaborating with government or community partners and producing research products for policy or practice audiences.

Advertised: October 05, 2026
Applications close: October 06, 2026

• Standard office environment
• Unexpected interruptions occur often
• Stress level is moderate to high
• Noise level is quiet to moderate.

• Ability to sit in front of a computer for an extended period of time
• Occasionally required to move about the office/campus with the capability of transporting objects up to 20 lbs.

For inquiries about the position, please contact Dr. Galena Rhoades (grhoades@du.edu).