Post Doctoral Fellow

Job Description

UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI

Postdoctoral Fellow Position

Missouri Prevention Science Institute

The Missouri Prevention Science Institute (MPSI) at the University of Missouri (MU) is pleased to offer a post-doctoral position. Fellows will join a large team of interdisciplinary scholars supporting the mission of MPSI-Applied, -Methods and -Measurement branches. MPSI’s mission is improve the lives and well-being of children, individuals, and families using prevention science. We will consider applications from any one of these three branches of MPSI. MPSI-Applied focuses on the administration of large scale trials in school and community settings, preventive intervention development and delivery, culturally responsive practices, and widescale dissemination of research knowledge and effective practices. MPSI-Methods has a focus on improving existing and developing new innovative statistical methods through integrating methodological perspectives from various areas including statistics, epidemiology, psychology, education, and machine learning with a focus on methods for the analysis of dependent data (e.g., multilevel modeling), evaluation methods for experimental and quasi-experimental studies, causal learning in non-experimental data (e.g., direction dependence modeling), statistical modeling of complex moderation processes (e.g., recursive partitioning), and non-standard analysis of intervention effects (e.g., distributional regression modeling). MPSI-Measurement has a strong focus on advanced measurement frameworks (e.g., multidimensional item response theory, diagnostic classification modeling) and novel psychometric model evaluation techniques.

Fellows will work closely with a primary mentor who has content, methodological, and/or measurement expertise to support MPSI training and scholarly initiatives including analyses, publications, and grant-writing. In particular, MPSI-Applied fellows will (1) assist with implementation large scale prevention trials and interventions in school and community settings; (2) assist with grant- and paper-writing; and (3) develop independent lines of inquiry. MPSI-Methods and -Measurement fellows will (1) perform systematic secondary data analysis for all recent MPSI datasets with a focus on some of the cutting-edge quantitative methods emerging from MPSI research; (2) assist with planned analyses on existing MPSI grants; and (3) help refine and extend MPSI’s Summer of R workshop series and other prevention science-related coursework. Fellows will be mentored on how to apply these new methods, write a paper about the methods, and, depending on the results, write a related grant proposal. Additionally, fellows will be immersed in a rich training environment that includes opportunities to work with scholars from a range of related fields including school psychology, special education, educational statistics and methodology, educational leadership, social work, and counseling psychology.

Completed and ongoing research projects with which fellows may interface, depending on skills and interests, include five group randomized evaluations of classroom management and principal training programs; developmental projects focused on a web-based teacher consultation model and a self-monitoring intervention for youth; measurement projects that are in exploratory or development stages; and a county-wide school mental health surveillance and intervention model. Additionally, MPSI scholarship will promote culturally responsive practices and reducing disproportionality in educational and juvenile justice outcomes. The positions will also afford the fellow opportunities for publishing, grant-writing and administration, and mentoring and training in prevention and education sciences.

Responsibilities:

• Conducting advanced methodological analyses under supervision of mentor
• Drafting research design and analytic plans for grant proposals
• Co-authoring data-based publications
• Designing analytical and methodological training courses
• Attending weekly training seminars

Qualifications

• An earned doctorate in quantitative research methods, educational/psychological measurement, or a related field at the time of appointment

Candidates will be evaluated on the following factors:

• Openness to learning
• Skills in participating in research projects and generating research ideas
• Ability to co-author publications and grant proposals
• Experience with educational and behavioral research methods
• Strong organizational and communication skills
• Research interests that align well with faculty mentors

Application Materials

Apply on-line at http://hrs.missouri.edu/find-a-job/academic/index.php . Upload a letter of application in which candidates describe in detail their qualifications for the position, Resume/CV, names and contact information for three reference in the Attachments section of the application. Your CV must be uploaded in the Resume/CV and Cover Letter section.

Please contact Dr. Keith Herman, Search Committee Chair at hermanke@missouri.edu or 573-884-2419 for questions about the position.

Beginning Review Date: Formal review of applications will begin April 15, 2023 and continue until the position is filled.

Other Information

This position will be housed in the Missouri Prevention Science Institute (MPSI).

About MPSI : MPSI is a campus Center at the University of Missouri focused on improving the lives of youth, adults, and families through the application of prevention science methods. Faculty members from across campus contribute to the MPSI mission and many full-time and part-time staff as well as graduate students contribute to these efforts. Annual expenditures for externally funded projects are approximately $5 million with funded projects focused on rigorous evaluation of interventions, training, and public service. The research portfolio has increased significantly in recent years, and is poised for continued significant strategic growth. MPSI is a leader on the campus and is nationally recognized for its high-quality research and innovative intervention development. More information on MPSI can be found at: http://moprevention.org/ .

About MU and the Surrounding Community : MU is the oldest state university west of the Mississippi River and the largest of the four institutions in the University of Missouri System. In 1848, MU became the first public university in the nation to open a college specific to teacher preparation. Cultural diversity is an important goal supported by the Department, College, and MU. More information is available on the web at: https://education.missouri.edu/

MU is located in Columbia, a metropolitan community of approximately 130,000 which has consistently been rated as one of the best places to live in the U.S. MU has a student body of over 34,000, and is designated as a Carnegie Research University with very high research activity. MU is one of only six universities in the U.S. that is both the flagship and land grant institution housing medicine, veterinary medicine, and law on the same campus. As an AAU member institution since 1908, MU is recognized as one of the top research and educational institutions in the nation.

This position provides an opportunity to work at a world-class research university in a beautiful and diverse setting that offers a high quality of life. There are numerous opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts and Columbia has been recognized as a bike-friendly community. Both Kansas City and St. Louis are within a 90-minute drive offering the shopping and cultural opportunities of major metropolitan areas. Columbia has a very high-quality public school system and provides many opportunities for art, culture, and music enthusiasts.

Salary

Competitive and commensurate with experience and qualifications. Appointment is unranked, non-regular, twelve-month appointment.

Benefit Eligibility

This position is eligible for University benefits. The University offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental and vision plans, retirement, and educational fee discounts. For additional information on University benefits, please visit the Faculty & Staff Benefits website at http://www.umsystem.edu/totalrewards/benefits

Values Commitment

We value the uniqueness of every individual and strive to ensure each person’s success. Contributions from individuals with diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives promote intellectual pluralism and enable us to achieve the excellence that we seek in learning, research and engagement. This commitment makes our university a better place to work, learn and innovate.

In your application materials, please discuss your experiences and expertise that support these values and enrich our missions of teaching, research and engagement.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Equal Opportunity is and shall be provided for all employees and applicants for employment on the basis of their demonstrated ability and competence without unlawful discrimination on the basis of their race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable state or federal law. This policy shall not be interpreted in such a manner as to violate the legal rights of religious organizations or the recruiting rights of military organizations associated with the Armed Forces or the Department of Homeland Security of the United States of America. For more information, call the Director of Employee and Labor Relations at 573-882-7976.

To request ADA accommodations, please call the Director of Accessibility and ADA at 573-884-7278.

Know Your Rights

To read more about Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) please use the following links:

• Know Your Rights English Version
• Know Your Rights Spanish Version

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