The Position

The Vaughan Institute of Risk Management & Insurance within the Tippie College of Business at the University of Iowa invites applications for a Postdoctoral Scholar position starting in August 2026. We are particularly seeking candidates with research interests in health insurance and/or life insurance, but will also consider candidates with other insurance or risk management-related backgrounds.

This is a one-year postdoctoral appointment, renewable for a second year, with a salary of $75,000 and benefits. The position carries a 1–1 teaching course load (one course per semester) with no additional research or service obligations to the department, allowing the scholar ample time to pursue their own research agenda.

Candidates must have received (or expect to receive) a Ph.D. within the last two years (i.e., doctoral degree conferred no earlier than May 2024).

The College

Since 1847, the Tippie College of Business has cultivated a legacy of innovation, thought leadership, and excellence in business education. We have nearly 6,000 students within undergraduate, graduate, and PhD programs spanning six academic departments—accounting, business analytics, economics, finance, marketing, and management and entrepreneurship. We are eight centers and institutes, and four student-managed endowment funds. We’re over 59,000 alumni—and growing. Tippie is regularly listed in top business school rankings. We also hold the gold standard of accreditations, the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), and have maintained the accreditation for over 95 years (since 1923).

But who we are is not just in the curriculum we curate—it’s also in the community we create. Our leadership embraces our responsibility to pursue academic excellence within a welcoming environment where every student can thrive. More than 150 years after our founding, we continue to be a place where students can grow and flourish in their professional or academic careers.

The Institute

The Emmett J. Vaughan Institute of Risk Management & Insurance, hosted by the Department of Finance, was founded in 2005 and named in honor of Emmet Vaughan, a pioneer in risk management and insurance. The Institute is built to equip and inspire the leaders of tomorrow to become not just career-ready, but also future-ready. Our world-renowned faculty, diverse curriculum, and real-world experiences prepare students to solve today’s problems and anticipate tomorrow’s challenges. Generous donors with connections to the industry fund the Institute’s activities, including scholarships, programs, and initiatives designed to bring students closer to real-world problems.

Discover More

Discover the Vaughan Institute of Risk Management & Insurance and learn more about our faculty and programs. See what makes the Tippie College of Business stand out from the rest and view our faculty recruitment website. Delve into the University of Iowa, one of the nation’s premier public research institutions and Iowa’s flagship university.

And explore Iowa City, recognized by USA Today as a Top 10 College Town and the #13 Happiest City. Home to the Big 10’s Iowa Hawkeyes. Great food, nightlife, music, art, and recreational opportunities plus that Midwestern welcome you’ve heard about.

A Supportive Environment

The University offers several benefits to support faculty in achieving a healthy work/life balance including domestic partner benefits, family caregiving leave, and flexible spending accounts for dependent care and health care. For more information about local work/life resources, including dual-career support, please see: https://worklife.uiowa.edu/.

There is an expectation that the person in this position will maintain effective, civil, and respectful working relationships with the University of Iowa campus community and uphold a high standard of cultural competency and respect for difference that represents the Tippie College of Business’ commitment to access and opportunity.

We are committed to supporting every Hawkeye’s pursuit of excellence. Our ability to foster a welcoming and respectful environment for all who join the UI family will determine our collective success.

Application Instructions

Applications should be submitted via the Jobs@UIOWA site: https://jobs.uiowa.edu/jobSearch/postdoc/

Applicants should submit:

• Cover letter
• Curriculum vitae
• Research statement
• Job market paper
• Statement of teaching interests
• Three letters of recommendation (part of the online submission)

Review of applications will begin immediately. Applications will continue to be accepted and reviewed until the position is filled.

Inquiries

Please direct general questions about the position to Cameron Ellis at [email protected], and questions about the application procedure to Kaite Voss, Senior HR Director at [email protected].

Additional Information

Successful candidates will be required to self-disclose any misconduct history or pending research misconduct investigation, including but not limited to sexual misconduct in prior employment, and provide a related release. Final candidates will be subject to a criminal background and credential check.

If your H-1B petition is subject to the September 19, 2025 Presidential Proclamation, please note that the department will not cover the $100,000 payment associated with H-1B sponsorship, either at the time of hire or for international travel purposes. We encourage you to explore alternative pathways for work authorization. Our team is available to help identify options that may be suitable for your situation.

Persons with disabilities who need assistance or accommodations with the application or interview process may contact University Human Resources/Faculty and Staff Disability Services, (319) 335-2660 or [email protected].

Education Requirement

Earned doctorate or strong evidence that the doctoral degree will be completed before August 2026. The Ph.D. must have been conferred no earlier than May 2024 (i.e., within the last two years of the appointment start date).

Required Qualifications

• Demonstrated record of research productivity or a promising research agenda in Insurance and Risk Management
• Effective communication skills
• Demonstrated potential for effective teaching at the university level

Desirable Qualifications

We particularly seek candidates who are prepared to teach courses in health insurance, life insurance, or risk management, though candidates with other insurance or risk management-related backgrounds will also be considered.

The University of Iowa is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment free from discrimination 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.