Description

Earliest Start Date: August 16, 2026

Position Duration: Expected to continue until August 15, 2027 

OVERVIEW  
The Latino Research Institute (LRI) and the Institute for Urban Research and Policy Analysis (IUPRA) at UT Austin invite applications to fill four postdoctoral research fellows in public policy.  

The LRI postdoctoral fellowship provides support to scholars studying Latino populations from a broad range of fields in the social sciences. We encourage applications whose research aligns with the LRI’s mission to produce research that informs policy and action to enhance the well-being of Latinos and their communities. 

We welcome candidates whose research intersects with Mexican American & Latina/o Studies and African & African Diaspora Studies.  

We are particularly interested in candidates with disciplinary homes in Sociology, Criminology, Political Science, Public Health, and Economics.

The fellow will work under the supervision of researchers in the LRI and their colleagues from across the University.

PURPOSE 
The Latino Research Institute (LRI) and the Institute for Urban Research and Policy Analysis (IUPRA) at UT Austin seek four postdoctoral research fellows in public policy. The ideal candidates will have a track record in both academic and public-facing publications as well as research experience in one of the following policy areas: health care, reproduction, public and higher education, energy, immigration and criminal justice, or free speech. Candidates should hold a PhD in a field such as History, Political Science, Public Policy, Criminology, Gender and Women’s Studies, Black Studies, Latino Studies, Ethnic Studies, Sociology, Education, Public Health, Social Work, or Communication. 

RESPONSIBILITIES 
Conduct primary and secondary source research; prepare academic journal articles, policy briefs, white papers, and/or op-eds for public outlets.  

Meet regularly with supervisor and research team; participate in the intellectual life of the Institutes. 

CONTACT 
If you have questions, email us at [email protected] and include subject line “LRI Postdoc Question.” 

Apply here. 

Requirements

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS 
PhD completed by August 15, 2026, but no more than three years prior to the start date.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS 
PhD in History, Political Science, Public Policy, Criminology, Gender and Women’s Studies, Black Studies, Latino Studies, Ethnic Studies, Sociology, Education, Public Health, Social Work, or Communication.