Senior Research Associate
- Employer
- University of Mississippi
- Location
- University, Mississippi, United States
- Salary
- Competitive Salary
- Date posted
- Aug 9, 2024
View more categoriesView less categories
- Position Type
- Faculty Positions, Science & Mathematics, Other Science & Technology, Statistics, Administrative, Academic Affairs, Research Administration
- Employment Type
- Full Time
Job Details
Note for Current UM Employees
Current employees must apply internally via connectU > connectu.olemiss.edu
Position Description
The Center for Population Studies (CPS, http://cps.olemiss.edu ) and State Data Center of Mississippi (SDC, http://sdc.olemiss.edu ) at the University of Mississippi invite applications for a Senior Research Associate, beginning Fall or Winter 2024. We seek a researcher/scholar to support the demographic and outreach mission of the Centers. Specifically, we invite applications from individuals with expertise and an interest in working with staff, non-profit, local, state, and federal organizations on research projects related to Mississippi’s demographic characteristics, population change, population projections, data collection and cleaning.
About UM Center for Population Studies and State Data Center of Mississippi
The Center for Population Studies (CPS) educates, conducts research, and engages in public outreach concerning population issues and is the lead agency for the State Data Center (SDC) of Mississippi. CPS works closely with faculty, government and non-profit agencies, and community organizations across the State and has a 40-year history of helping Mississippians access, use, and interpret public data for the purposes of local development. In this capacity, CPS distributes census and related data, provides instruction on data analysis, and serves as the liaison between the Census Bureau and the users of census and related data.
CPS also houses the Applied Policy and Community Research Laboratory, providing an avenue through which students are able to collaborate with faculty and nonprofit organizations to engage in timely and meaningful research. CPS also coordinates the Society and Health Minor in collaboration with the College of Liberal Arts. This minor is for undergraduates interested in the social, cultural, and ethical dimensions to understanding and improving population health.
The SDC exists through a collaborative agreement established in the late 1970’s between UM, the State of MS, and the US Census Bureau and provides outreach, technical assistance, and dissemination of public data, particularly concerning population characteristics and change. Much of this work is conducted in partnership with the SDC Affiliates network across the state, including planning and development districts. The SDC also plays a key role in the Decennial Census in MS, providing demographic expertise to state-level and federal stakeholders on census participation, dissemination of data, and education related to accessing, using, and reporting on the data. Center Staff have participated in the 2020 Census Count Review Operation (CRO) in Mississippi, routinely engage in outreach activities with rural communities around the state, and work in partnership with state agencies, including MS State Extension specialists.
CPS, through the SDC, represents MS in the Federal-State Cooperative for Population Estimates (FSCPE), coordinating the fulfillment of data requests for official population estimates, participating in the statewide Complete Count Committee, and calculating and publishing population projections for the state and counties. The latter are used by state agencies, businesses, foundations, and researchers to plan for the future. Additionally, with the releases of 2020 Decennial Census data for redistricting, the SDC is responsible for providing technical input and legal testimony related to redistricting plans.
CPS is committed to building an inclusive, equitable, and supportive environment for scholars and students form historically underrepresented groups.
Position Details-
Appointment: 12-month
Essential Duties/Responsibilities:
• Working knowledge of population projection methodology.
• Act as a liaison between the State Data Center (SDC) and the United States Census Bureau.
• Mange and led SDC Affiliates workshops or activities.
• Assist in Census data collection, outreach, and reporting, including but not limited to participating in the Census CRO.
• Engage in independent research and publish academic research
• Produce public-facing publications on relevant population trends to Mississippi and your own research interest.
• Supervise a research team including research associates, graduate, and undergraduate students.
Experience, Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
• Detailed knowledge and experience using demographic concepts and techniques, statistics, and methods independently.
• Comprehensive knowledge of U.S. Census Bureau and other population related data sources.
• Experience or interest in writing peer-reviewed publications.
• Highly proficient programming skills (your choice of statistical packages, and ArcGIS/QGIS). Senior level skills with Microsoft office products; Word, Excel, PowerPoint.
• Excellent oral, written, and presentation skills (both technical and non-technical)
• Ability to present and communicate demographic concepts, procedures, and information to lay and professional audiences
Application Procedures
For full consideration, candidates will submit the following documents: (1) a cover letter outlining your research qualifications and related experience for the advertised position, (2) a Resume or C.V. detailing your applicable experience and education, (3) reference three professional references with current telephone numbers and email addresses. Review of applications will begin August 30, 2024, and will continue until the position is filled.
If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Jamiko Deleveaux, chair of the search committee and Director of CPS at jvdeleve@olemiss.edu or (662) 915-7295.
Minimum Qualifications
Master's degree and five (5) years of related research experience developing, maintaining, and analyzing matters relevant to research projects; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Preferred Qualification:
Ph.D. in Demography, Applied Demography, Sociology, Statistics, or a closely related discipline.
Interview Requirements: Any candidate who is called for an interview must notify the Department of Equal Opportunity/Regulatory Compliance in writing of any reasonable accommodation needed prior to the date of the interview.
Background Check Statement
The University of Mississippi is committed to providing a safe campus community. UM conducts background investigations for applicants being considered for employment. Background investigations include a criminal history record check, and when appropriate, a financial (credit) report or driving history check.
EEO Statement
The University of Mississippi provides equal opportunity in any employment practice, education program, or education activity to all qualified persons. The University complies with all applicable laws regarding equal opportunity and affirmative action and does not unlawfully discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based upon race, color, gender, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, citizenship, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or genetic information.
Nearest Major Market: Oxford Mississippi
Company
Founded in 1848, The University of Mississippi, affectionately known to alumni, students and friends as Ole Miss, is Mississippi's flagship university. Included in the elite group of R-1: Doctoral Universities - Highest Research Activity by the Carnegie Classification, it has a long history of producing leaders in public service, academics and business. With more than 24,000 students, Ole Miss is the state's largest university and is ranked among the nation's fastest-growing institutions. Its 15 academic divisions include a major medical school, nationally recognized schools of accountancy, law and pharmacy, and the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College, renowned for a blend of academic rigor, experiential learning and opportunities for community action. The University of Mississippi embraces diversity and inclusion as core values and seeks to empower all members of the University community.
The university’s path to becoming the flagship university it is today has been marked by two decades of accelerated growth and prosperity. Student enrollment at UM has increased over 40 percent over the past seven years — illustrating the growing reputation and national draw of the university. We were the 10th-fastest growing university among public doctoral institutions over the period of 2005–2015. Over the past few years, the university has instituted dynamic new academic programs and greatly expanded its campuses with the completion of multiple major construction projects. The 2018 U.S. News & World Report annual rankings of Best (Undergraduate) Colleges and Universities ranked the University of Mississippi No. 73 in the Top Public National Universities category. The rankings reflect 15 indicators of academic excellence, including faculty resources, financial resources, and undergraduate academic reputation. In 2016, indicating a major milestone, the university was elevated to the Carnegie R1 Highest Research Activity classification — placing it in the top 2.5 percent of colleges and universities nationwide.
For ten consecutive years, The University of Mississippi has been voted by our staff as one of the great colleges to work for in the Chronicle of Higher Education’s survey, and has been widely recognized as one of the most beautiful campuses in America by Newsweek, the Princeton Review and USA Today. Sometimes called the “Cultural Mecca of the South,” Oxford has been the home of William Faulkner, John Grisham, Willie Morris, Barry Hannah and many more outstanding writers. In recent years, it has become known for its award-winning chefs and restaurateurs. Oxford is often recommended by many publications as a bucket list place to visit.
We build leaders, serve our community and our neighbors, and compete to win. We are a literary mecca, a research center, a launchpad for careers across the professions, a home away from home, and so much more. We are Ole Miss.
Committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse and talented workforce, the university offers competitive salaries and benefits, an extensive support network, and above all, an enriching and highly collaborative community that is deeply passionate about our vision for higher education and public service.
The University of Mississippi offers exciting opportunities for career development and continuous learning. Every day is different, with new ideas, challenges, and benefits just around the corner—no matter which department you’re a part of. It’s an exciting place to build a meaningful career at any level.
Our University, like all institutions, is only as strong as our people. Our faculty, staff, and students represent an exceptional group of people with a rich diversity of talents and backgrounds. There’s no better place to start a great career than in Oxford, Mississippi.
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