Staff Scientist (Faculty) at Washington State University in Pullman, Washington

Job Description:

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):327-NN_FACULTY - Staff Scientist
Business Title:Staff Scientist (Faculty)
Employee Type:Faculty
Position Term:12 Month
Position Details:

The Complex Social Interactions Lab (CSI) in the Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology at Washington State University (WSU) is excited to announce an opening for a S

taff Scientist (faculty) in Pullman, WA. This fixed-term, non-tenure track faculty 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 contingent upon funding continuation.

About the CSI Lab:

The Complex Social Interactions (CSI) Lab at WSU 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:

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  Conduct 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.

  
  


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  Conduct in-depth analyses of body-worn camera footage (SSEM, SSO, etc.) to identify best practices for de-escalation and non-escalation and develop evidence-based guidelines for law enforcement agencies.

  
  


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  Design and implement new methodologies to improve body-worn camera footage analysis accuracy and efficiency, including machine learning algorithms and natural language processing tools.

  
  


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  Collaborate with law enforcement agencies, researchers, and policymakers to refine data collection and analysis methods, ensuring that findings are generalizable and actionable.

  
  


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  Design, implement, and query databases to store and analyze large datasets related to body-worn camera footage.

  
  


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  Contribute to developing innovative data-driven solutions for improving police training and risk management outcomes, including de-escalation techniques and hardware/software technologies.

  
  


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  Prepare regular reports and documentation summarizing findings, methodological developments, and recommendations for law enforcement agencies and stakeholders.

  
  


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  Effectively communicate complex statistical and domain knowledge concepts to non-technical audiences.

  
  


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  Participate in the preparation and submission of grant proposals. This includes identifying potential funding sources, drafting proposal narratives, and assisting with budget preparation.

  
  


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  Present research findings at academic conferences, workshops, or other relevant forums.

  
  


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  Contribute to the writing and submitting manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed academic journals. This includes drafting manuscripts, responding to reviewer comments, and revising and resubmitting papers as necessary.

  
  


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  Assist the principal investigator in planning, organizing, and implementing research projects.

  
  


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  Supervise undergraduate research assistants in their lab assignments (40-50 students).

  
  


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  Provide guidance and mentorship to undergraduate and graduate research assistants and postdoctoral researchers, promoting their professional development and growth.

  
  


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  Serve on doctoral student committees.

  
  


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  Engage in public-facing communication in the following ways: preparing and disseminating regular updates to stakeholders about the lab's research findings and activities; co-authoring conference presentations and peer-reviewed publications based on CSI Lab work; coordinating with CSI Lab Staff Coordinator and the university's communications office on press releases, social media posts, and other external communications.

  
  

Required Qualifications:

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  PhD in criminology, criminal justice, statistics, data science, data analytics, applied mathematics, operations research, sociology, economics, psychology, or related fields.

  
  


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

  
  


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

  
  


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  Proficiency in designing, implementing, and querying databases.

  
  


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

  
  


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

  
  


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

  
  


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  Experience working with undergraduate students.

  
  

Preferred Qualifications:

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

  
  


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  Experience working with public safety agencies.

  
  


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

  
  


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  Familiarity with data modeling techniques and entity-relationship diagrams.

  
  


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  Ability to work with large datasets and perform complex queries to extract relevant information.

  
  


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  Experience with machine learning algorithms and natural language processing tools.

  
  


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

  
  


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  Familiarity with grant application processes and experience submitting funding proposals.

  
  


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  Experience with the analyses of body-worn camera footage or observational data sets.

  
  


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  Experience ensuring compliance with safety protocols and regulations, including CJIS guidelines, to maintain a secure and safe working environment for all lab members.

  
  

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: $72,000 - $81,000 | 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.

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

  
  


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

  
  

Required Documents:

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

  
  


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  Curriculum vitae.

  
  


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  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. Apply Now