Postdoctoral Research Program
Research Training
Postdoctoral Research Program
Structured Mentorship, Real Results
Our team-based mentorship model is the foundation of the program’s success. Each postdoctoral researcher is supported by a primary mentor, two additional faculty members and a representative from the research training team. Together, they provide guidance on personalized career planning, skills development and research strategy, ensuring early-career researchers are prepared for leadership in academia, government or industry.
Learn more about Schaeffer experts who support our collaborative training.
A Launchpad for Top Talent
Nearly 50 researchers have been mentored through this program since its inception in 2012. During that time, the Schaeffer Institute has partnered with the National Institutes of Health, UCLA and other prominent institutions to support and develop early-career researchers.
Postdoctoral researchers have gone on to successful careers as professors, research scientists, policymakers and industry leaders. They publish in leading journals, secure competitive grants and contribute to high-impact studies that shape the healthcare landscape.
Here is a glimpse at some of the impactful work our alumni are doing:
Uchechi Mitchell
An associate professor at the University of Illinois Chicago, Dr. Mitchell studies the intersection of population and biopsychosocial sciences using large national surveys of older adults.
Meng Li
An assistant professor at Tufts Medical Center, Dr. Li studies the definition and measurement of novel elements of value for medical technologies, drug pricing and the impact of drug innovation.
Etienne Gaudette
Dr. Gaudette is a senior economist at the Patented Medicine Prices Review Board and an assistant professor at the University of Toronto. He studies access to care, microsimulation methods and drug shortages.
Douglas Barthold
An associate professor at the University of Washington, Dr. Barthold studies chronic disease, Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias and pharmaceutical health outcomes.
Schaeffer Alumni Spotlight
Numerous Schaeffer Institute experts began their careers as postdoctoral researchers here, including:
Erin Trish
Dr. Trish is co-director of the Schaeffer Center and an associate professor at USC Mann. Her research focuses on the intersection of public policy and health care markets.
Sarah Axeen
Dr. Axeen is director of data and analytics at the Schaeffer Center and an assistant professor at USC Keck. Her research focuses on the drivers of and solutions to opioid abuse in the United States.
Meet the 2025 Postdoctoral Cohort
The Schaeffer Institute proudly hosts a diverse cohort of postdoctoral researchers from around the world. Researchers are actively engaged in a robust research community through seminars, workshops, internal talks and collaborative projects.
Our current postdoctoral researchers:
Take the Next Step in Your Research Career
The Postdoctoral Research Program accepts applications year-round. If you are interested in learning more, please contact Erin Duffy or Briana Taylor, or you can apply here today.