Postdoctoral Research Scholar School of Social Work

Postdoctoral Research Scholar School of Social Work

Job #16555

The Office of Gender Based Violence in the School of Social Work at Arizona State University is looking for up to three, full-time, benefits-eligible, 12-month postdoctoral research scholars. Contract renewal is possible on an annual basis for up to 3 years. ASU as a research-intensive university and offers interdisciplinary trainings, internal pilot funding, and collaboration opportunities. For additional information and policies regarding postdoctoral scholars at ASU, please see https://provost.asu.edu/postdoc.

Postdoctoral scholars will work under the mentorship of Jill Messing, MSW, PhD and will collaborate on research studies to develop and test the predictive validity of risk assessments intended to predict intimate partner violence and intimate partner homicide. It is expected that postdoctoral research scholar(s) will spend the majority of their time on the following funded research studies:

The Domestic Violence Risk Assessment in Pretrial Study (DV-RAPS): This research study is funded by Arnold Ventures and will create and validate intimate partner violence risk assessment(s) that can be integrated into current pretrial decision-making tools and processes across the country. The developed risk assessment(s) will be used in collaboration with interventions that connect survivors of violence to social services. DV-RAPS is a three-year study in the beginning phases and will include quantitative data collection from the criminal justice system and data collection from survivors of violence. The postdoc's primary task will include liaising with community partners (e.g., in Delaware, Texas), overseeing student researchers, developing data collection protocols, collecting quantitative and longitudinal data, assisting in data analysis, and developing future grant applications.

The Predicting and Assessing Intimate Partner Homicide Risk Assessment (PAIR) Studies: This series of case-control studies examines risk factors for intimate partner homicide, focusing on firearm use, ownership, and access. Funded by the National Institutes of Health, the National Collaborative on Gun Violence Research, and Everytown for Gun Safety, data collection on the intimate partner homicides will occur in two phases: case file data collection from police and medical examiners and interviews with the next of kin of intimate partner homicide victims. Data collection is occurring across 6 states – Arizona, Maryland, Missouri, New Jersey, Oregon, and Texas. These data will be compared to data collected from a random sample of intimate partner violence survivors in order to better understand homicide risk. The PAIR Studies have been underway for between 1 and 3 years and will continue for another 2 years under the current funding mechanisms. Tasks for the PAIR Studies include overseeing data collection in the states noted above, managing student volunteers, liaising with community partners, facilitating interviews, assisting in data analysis, and developing future grant applications.

In both DV-RAPS and the PAIR Studies, we have assembled a transdisciplinary team of social workers, criminologists, and public health professionals, experienced in studying intimate partner violence, homicide, and multi-state investigations. All research is survivor-centered, trauma-informed, and interested in contributing to domestic violence interventions and the prevention of intimate partner homicide.

The Office of Gender-Based Violence (OGBV; https://socialwork.asu.edu/gender-violence) is a dynamic research community that consists of faculty, staff, students, community partners, and volunteers who are dedicated to the prevention of gender-based violence and the development of evidence-based interventions for survivors. OGBV currently has 6 full time (tenure track and research) core faculty members in the School of Social Work who study multiple aspects of gender-based violence (see: https://socialwork.asu.edu/gender-violence/our-team), as well as affiliate faculty from a variety of disciplines. Within OGBV, there are opportunities to contribute to ongoing analyses of qualitative and quantitative data regarding the criminal and civil justice response to intimate partner violence, risk assessment, and service use among survivors of intimate partner violence. Available data were collected in Arizona and nationally using multiple recruitment techniques; some of these data focus specifically on Indigenous and immigrant survivors of intimate partner violence. The award-winning Survivor Link program (https://socialwork.asu.edu/content/training-program-advocates-domestic-violence-victims-receive-asu-presidential-medal) educates approximately 100 students per year through classroom and field-based learning; there are multiple opportunities for teaching and field instruction.

Essential Functions of the Position:

· Liaise with community partners locally and nationally

· Oversee student researchers/volunteers

· Develop data collection protocols

· Collect quantitative and qualitative data

· Assist in data analysis

· Assist in the development of future grant applications

· Other research tasks as assigned

Required Qualifications:

· Qualified candidates must have a Ph.D. or expect to receive a Ph.D. in a theoretically relevant field of study (i.e., social work, women’s studies, nursing) by the start of the appointment.

· The ability to work independently and collaboratively is essential.

· Applicants must exhibit a comprehensive understanding of research methods and data analysis.

· Intermediate or advanced knowledge of SPSS, Stata, or SAS and multivariate statistics is necessary.

· Applicants must demonstrate strong scientific writing skills and have the skills to publish research findings in peer-reviewed journals.

Desired Qualifications:

· MSW preferred.

· Experience conducting research related to domestic violence victimization/perpetration, intimate partner homicide, risk assessment, firearm violence, or a related field is preferred.

· Knowledge / ability to work with large datasets is preferred.

· Data collection experience with vulnerable populations, within the criminal justice system, and/or through case files is preferred.

· Experience with longitudinal data collection is preferred.

Application Deadline and Procedures: To apply, visit https://publicservice.asu.edu/content/jobs. Candidates will be asked to submit the following through their Interfolio Dossier:

· Current curriculum vitae

· Letter (limit 2 pages) summarizing your relevant experience and career goals; please also specify which of the above projects interests you and why.

· A statement addressing how your past and/or potential contributions to social justice, diversity, equity and/or inclusion will advance ASU’s commitment to inclusive excellence (max 2 single-spaced pages).

· Contact information for three academic professional references (their position, title, affiliation, email, phone number)

· Two writing samples that best exemplifies your scholarly work (e.g., a published or unpublished manuscript-length document)

The initial application deadline is February 1, 2021, 5:00p.m. Arizona time. Applications will continue to be accepted on a rolling basis for a reserve pool. Applications in the reserve pool may then be reviewed in the order in which they are received until the position is filled. Please feel free to contact Dr. Jill Messing (Jill.Messing@asu.edu) with questions.

This position is subject to the successful completion of an employment background check. An employment background check includes a criminal background check, employment verification, and reference checks. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.

About ASU

Arizona State University is committed to building a model for an American research university that measures impact by the success of its students, and faculty committed to the public good with solution-focused research that expands interdisciplinary thinking, and a university that accepts major responsibility for health, economic, and social development of its community.

Arizona State University is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor and an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other basis protected by law. For complete statements on ASU’s non-discrimination policies, please refer to: http://www.asu.edu/aad/manuals/acd/acd401.html and https://www.asu.edu/titleIX/.

In compliance with federal law, ASU prepares an annual report on campus security and fire safety programs and resources. ASU’s Annual Security and Fire Safety Report is available online at https://www.asu.edu/police/PDFs/ASU-Clery-Report.pdf You may request a hard copy of the report by contacting the ASU Police Department at 480-965-3456