NICHD Predoctoral Family Demography Traineeships

The Penn State Population Research Institute and Graduate Program in Demography offers NICHD-funded predoctoral traineeships in Family Demography for candidates seeking a dual-Ph.D. degree in either Sociology and Demography or Human Development & Family Studies and Demography. Preference is given to candidates who have completed some population-related graduate work. The training faculty include 28 primarily advanced-rank demography professors who have family demography-related interests and funded research grants. Traineeship awards currently have a government-determined stipend of $20,976 for a 12-month appointment.

The enhanced scientific research focus of this traineeship program is on the impacts of demographic structure and processes, social contexts, individual developmental processes, and biobehavioural processes on the family. Demographic structure and processes can be either outcome or determinant variables in the candidate's research interests and goals. As part of the curriculum in pursuing a dual-Ph.D. in Demography, candidates are required to take some cross-training courses in developmental processes and biobehavioral processes on the family.

Applications for traineeship awards should be filed by January 15. Candidates must be U.S. citizens (or Permanent Residents) at the time of application. The application should include: 1) A letter with a statement about your family demography-related research interests and how cross-discipline training in developmental processes, demographic processes, and biobehavioral processes will enhance the scholarship of your research interests and goals; 2) an unofficial self report of your undergraduate (and graduate) GPA and GRE scores; 3) a current vitae; 4) a writing sample/paper from your relevant prior research, or a thesis prospectus; and 5) an independently filed letter of recommendation from a faculty mentor.

To apply contact:

Gordon F. De Jong, Director
Graduate Program in Demography
Pennsylvania State University
601 Oswald Tower
University Park, PA 16802
Phone: 814-863-2277
FAX: 814-863-8342
Email: dejong@pop.psu.edu

Last modified: 07/28/09 | Contact Webmaster