Research Scientist at Institute for Social and Health Equity

About University at Albany:

Established in 1844 and designated a University Center of the State University of New York in 1962, the University at Albany's broad mission of excellence in undergraduate and graduate education, research, and public service engages a diverse student body of approximately 17,000 students in nine schools and colleges across three campuses.

Located in Albany, New York, New York State's capital, the University is convenient to Boston, New York City, and the Adirondacks.

Job Description:

This is a temporary position to work with the Director to conduct social and behavioral scientific investigations including through analyses of large-scale and longitudinal datasets. A particular focus of these investigations will be to understand and address educational and health disparities that occur during early and middle childhood.  This position will be affiliated with the University at Albany's new Institute for Social and Health Equity also known as ISHE (https://www.albany.edu/institute-for-social-and-health-equity), a university-wide hub for interdisciplinary research. In this position, the Research Associate provides significant project management and may supervise support personnel in this regard.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Work collaboratively with the Director to conduct scientific investigations through analyses of large-scale datasets including those using advanced quantitative methods. (e.g., latent class analysis, structural equation modeling, growth modeling, student fixed effects)
• Lead and assist in writing scientific manuscripts for peer-reviewed journals as well as book chapters, reports, and op-eds.
• Coordinate data analysis activities with multiple stakeholders including state and federal policymakers and educational personnel.
• Developing research projects that could potentially result in being first author as well as contributions as co-author to the sections of the journal papers and reports.
• Assist with Institutional Review Board and human subject protocols.
• Lead methodological trainings in the lab and to UAlbany faculty on newly developed quantitative methods in psychology, epidemiology, and economics including those allowing for causal inferences and designed to empirically examine intersectionality.
• Lead and assist with the development and revision of external proposals including to the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation, the Institute of Education Sciences as well as relevant private foundations.
• The selected candidate will also have opportunities to be affiliated to schools and departments across UAlbany including the Schools of Public Health and Education.
• Present analyses and represent the lab at scientific meetings and national conferences.
• Other duties as assigned. 

Job Requirements:

• Ability to clean, securely manage, and analyze large and complex datasets as well as to maintain documentation ensuring proper archiving and reproducibility.
• Ability to work collaboratively and under the Director's supervision, leading interdisciplinary projects.
• Ability to work independently to conduct rigorous analyses and produce high-quality papers, reports and op-eds including with Director's as well as other faculty.
• Ability to supervise postdoctoral scholars.
• A high level of professional behavior and initiative.

Functional and Supervisory Relationships:

• This position will report directly to the Director and will interact regularly with the Institute for Social and Health Equity's faculty and staff.
• This position may be assigned supervisory duties and direct reports to include postdoctoral scholars.  

Requirements:

Minimum Qualifications:

• A Ph.D. in public health, public policy, psychology, human development, education, quantitative methods, sociology, economics, or related field from a college or university accredited by the US Department of Education or an internationally recognized organization.
• Minimum of one year experience as a postdoctoral scholar or related type of position.
• Must demonstrate strong organizational and time management skills, excellent oral and written communication skills, and advanced interpersonal and relationship-building skills working in an interdisciplinary team environment.
• Must demonstrate an ability to develop inclusive and equitable relationships with our diverse campus 
• Applicants must demonstrate an ability to develop inclusive and equitable relationships within our diverse campus community
• Applicants must demonstrate an ability to support diversity, equity, access, inclusion, and belonging relative to their role

Preferred Qualifications:

• Completed coursework and established expertise in using advanced quantitative methods to analyze large-scale and longitudinal datasets.
• Prior experience in conducting analyses for writing and submitting peer-reviewed journal articles as a first author.
• Highly proficient in using statistical software including in Stata, MPlus, R, and/or SPSS
• Prior experience in submitting grant proposals to federal funding agencies or private foundations.
• At least two peer-reviewed publications as first author (preferably) or as co-author reporting on analyses of large-scale datasets using quantitative methods.
• Experience working as part of an interdisciplinary research team and ability to coordinate multiple large projects to completion.
• Knowledge of and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace.
• Ability to incorporate feedback and revise initial analyses as needed.

Working Environment:

• ISHE's suite of offices are located on the ground floor of the biology building within UAlbany's uptown campus.  A hybrid remote working schedule is available, subject to campus policy change.

Additional Information:

Professional Rank and Salary Range: Research Associate, R2, $75,000-85,000

Special Notes:The preferred candidate(s) will be appointed on a 12-month contract as a Research Scientist, with funding available for a 12-month renewal based on a review. 

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THE UNIVERSITY AT ALBANY IS AN EO/AA/IRCA/ADA EMPLOYER

Please apply online via  http://albany.interviewexchange.com/candapply.jsp?JOBID=179839

Application Instructions:

Applicants MUST submit the following documents:

• Resume/CV
• Cover letter stating all the required minimum qualifications and any of the applicable preferred qualifications
• Contact information for three professional references

Note: After submitting your resume/CV, the subsequent pages give you instructions for uploading additional documents (i.e. cover letter etc.).

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Closing date for receipt of applications: September 9, 2024