Postdoc Research Associate (BRIGHTS Center)

A humble college founded before Texas was a state, Baylor now stands as one of the premier institutions of higher education in the world. Baylor has continued to invest in research and doctoral education, both solidifying and elevating its unique status as a preeminent Christian research university. Baylor is among 187 R1 institutions, just 52 of which are private universities. 

Since 2011, Baylor has been named as one of the nation’s “Great Colleges to Work For”. Great Colleges to Work For® is one of the country’s largest and most respected workplace recognition programs. Each year, Great Colleges recognizes the colleges and universities that get top employee ratings regarding workplace practices and policies across 10 areas. This recognition is based on faculty and staff responses to a related annual survey. The survey, conducted by ModernThink, is a way for colleges and universities to gain a deeper understanding of how their employees experience and view various aspects of the institution. This continued recognition further affirms Baylor as a rewarding place to build a career.

What We Are Looking For

The BRIGHTS Center at Baylor University invite applications for a full-time Postdoctoral Research Fellow to work with faculty running grants through the BRIGHTS Center (e.g., Dr. Sarah Schnitker, Dr. Karen Melton, Dr. Brittany Tausen) on projects related to virtue development, moral character, and human flourishing in emerging adulthood. The Fellow will contribute to interdisciplinary, theory-driven, and applied/translational research supported by major funders. This is an ideal role for an early-career scholar seeking to deepen their expertise in research and practice related to spirituality and character research, intervention science, and higher education programming while gaining mentorship, publishing opportunities, and leadership experience.

A Doctoral degree is required. 

What You Will Do

• Lead and support research projects on virtue development, including study design, implementation, data collection, and statistical analysis. Prepare manuscripts for publication
• Translate character education research, evaluation findings, and theoretical models into actionable strategies for faculty, staff, and student-facing professionals
• Develop toolkits, guides, templates, and short explanatory materials that support implementation across academic, co-curricular, and student life contexts
• Maintain shared repositories of resources and learning artifacts
• Science of Virtues Lab leadership, helping shape research priorities and cultivating a collaborative, intellectually vibrant environment. Includes informally mentoring graduate and undergraduate research assistants
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams, including psychologists, theologians, philosophers, educators, and community partners
• Present research findings at national/international conferences
• Collaborate with internal and external research partners
• Perform other duties as assigned in support of Baylor University’s mission
• Comply with University policies, safety regulations, and responsible conduct of research standards

What You Can Expect

As part of the Baylor family, eligible employees receive a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision insurance, generous time off, tuition remission, and outstanding automatic retirement contributions. Baylor has a comprehensive benefits plan that supports you and your family’s wellbeing and allows you to be a part of the life of a vibrant and active college campus.  To learn more, go to Baylor Benefits & Advantages.

Explore & Engage

Learn more about Baylor and our strategic vision, Baylor in Deeds.  Also, explore our great hometown of Waco and the many opportunities to engage locally.  If you are new to Central Texas, This is Waco!