Postdoctoral Research Associate
Washington State University

Online applications must be received before 12:00am on:

November 4, 2024

If a date is not listed above, review the Applicant Instructions below for more details.

Available Title(s):306-NN_FACULTY - Postdoctoral Research AssociateBusiness Title:Postdoctoral Research AssociateEmployee Type:FacultyPosition Term:12 MonthPosition Details:

The Complex Social Interactions Lab (CSI) in the Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology at Washington State University is excited to announce an opening for a Postdoctoral Research Associate (Statistical Scientist) in Pullman, WA. This position will support efforts to assist police departments in Washington State in maximizing the utility of their body-worn camera (BWC) programs. This twelve-month, fixed-term position is renewable for up to three years from the hire date. The anticipated hire date is January 6, 2025. Renewal depends on satisfactory performance, the continued need for the position, and funding continuation.

About the CSI Lab: The Complex Social Interactions (CSI) Lab at Washington State University is dedicated to improving police interactions by assisting law enforcement agencies with reviewing body-worn camera footage. Our mission is to advance our understanding of human behavior and social relationships within interactions that can become intensive, emotional, and complex, thereby enhancing law enforcement officers and their community's safety and well-being. By exploring the complexities of police-community interactions, we aim to identify evidence-based strategies for reducing conflicts, improving communication, and fostering trust between police agencies and the public, including developing new research methodologies and technologies to improve the operationalization of footage for evidence-based practice purposes. With over six years of experience analyzing large-scale datasets, including over 40,000 hours of un-redacted body-worn camera footage structured within the lab, we have established a reputation for producing high-impact research that informs policy and practice. The lab has involved over 300 undergraduate and graduate students since its inception, with regular semester participation of 40-50 students.

Job Duties:

As the Postdoctoral Research Associate, you will be responsible for designing and implementing new methodologies and tools to improve body-worn camera footage analysis accuracy and efficiency, including machine learning algorithms and natural language processing tools. Duties include but are not limited to: design, implement, and query databases to store and analyze large datasets related to body-worn camera footage, support CSI Faculty with advanced statistical analyses using regression and matching techniques to evaluate the efficacy of training programs, policy changes, and risk management strategies among law enforcement agencies, as well as trends and patterns in police-community interactions.

Required Qualifications:

• PhD in computer science, data science, data analytics, or related fields.

• Experience with cloud-based architecture and software development.

• Experience with database management systems (DBMS) such as MySQL, PostgreSQL, or Oracle.

• Microsoft Database experience (e.g., Microsoft Access).

• Experience with machine learning algorithms and natural language processing tools.

• Proficiency in designing, implementing, and querying databases.

• Experience using a statistical programming language (for example, R, Stata, SAS, Python, etc.).

Preferred Qualifications:

• Familiarity with data modeling techniques and entity-relationship diagrams.

• A track record of publishing research findings in reputable, peer-reviewed journals.

• Demonstrated communication skills to convey complex statistical and domain knowledge concepts to non-technical audiences.

• Strong background in the application of quantitative methodology, in particular regression and matching techniques.

• Excellent organizational skills and demonstrated ability to complete detailed work accurately.

• Ability to collaborate and network with professionals from diverse backgrounds to drive innovation in data-driven discovery associated with the data project.

Additional Information:

Area/College: Arts and Sciences
Department Name: Criminal Justice and Criminology
City, State, Zip: Pullman, WA 99164
Department Link: Criminal Justice and Criminology Webpage
Annual Salary: $60,000 - $69,000 | In accordance with RCW 49.58.110, the above salary reflects the full salary range for this position. Individual placement within the range is based on the candidate's current experience, education, skills, and abilities related to the position.

Benefits: WSU offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes paid sick and vacation leave; paid holidays; medical, dental, life and disability insurance package for employees and dependents; retirement; deferred compensation and optional supplemental retirement accounts. For a more detailed summary of benefits offered by WSU for Faculty please review the summary of benefits for WSU Faculty and Total Compensation

FTE: 100%

This is a one year renewable non-tenure track position. Renewal is dependent on performance.

Background Check: This position has been designated by the department to require a background check because it requires access to children or vulnerable adults as defined by RCW 74.34, engages in law enforcement, requires security clearance, interacts with WSU students in a counseling or advising capacity, has access to personal identifying and/or financial information, unsupervised access to university buildings/property, or other business-related need. A background check will not be completed until an initial determination of qualification for employment has been made.

Application Instructions: Applicants must upload the following required documents to their online application. Documents may be submitted in one file or separate files. Applicants are encouraged to upload as a PDF if possible. Application materials should clearly communicate how the applicant meets all required qualifications and additional requirements.

• External candidates, please upload all documents in the "Resume/CV" section of your application.

• Internal candidates, please upload all documents in the "Resume/Cover Letter" section of your application.

Required Documents:

• A cover letter addressing interests, career objectives, and qualifications for this position.

• Curriculum vitae.

• Research/Scholarship/Creative Activity statement that outlines your scholarly work and includes your future plans.

• Applicants will be requested to provide contact information for professional references who can address your history of and potential for excellence in research, teaching, and service within the online application (letters will be requested at a later time).

Time Type:Full timeWASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EDUCATOR AND EMPLOYER. Members of ethnic minorities, women, special disabled veterans, veterans of the Vietnam-era, recently separated veterans, and other protected veteran, persons of disability and/or persons age 40 and over are encouraged to apply.WSU employs only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized non-U.S. citizens. All new employees must show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.WSU is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact Human Resource Services: 509-335-4521 (v), Washington State TDD Relay Service: Voice Callers: 1-800-833-6384; TDD Callers: 1-800-833-6388, 509-335-1259(f), or hrs@wsu.edu.Notice of Non-DiscriminationWSU prohibits sex discrimination in any education program or activity that it operates complaint with Title IX. Inquiries regarding Title IX and reports of sex discrimination can be directed to the WSU Title IX Coordinator. More information on WSU's policies and procedures to respond to discrimination and harassment are available here: Nondiscrimination statement.

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