Department of Psychological Sciences, Kent State University
Data/Research Scientist position with The Kent State Student Life Study
Kent State University is seeking to fill a staff scientist position with the Kent State Student Life Study (KSU-SLS: www.kent.edu/student-life-study). The Research Scientist will serve as part of a multi-disciplinary investigative team that is conducting a large-scale, intensive longitudinal investigation of emerging adulthood. The project aims to prospectively examine health and well-being in a cohort of >10,000 young adults (current N >3200) recruited prior to and also on-campus at the main and regional campuses of Kent State University.
This individual will report to Co-Directors Drs Karin Coifman and John Gunstad. The Research Scientist will assist with tracking mental, physical, academic, occupational and social outcomes. Specific responsibilities include advanced data analysis, data curation and management, data visualization, cleaning and coordination. This includes the management of large-scale data sets across secure data platforms and systems including survey, EMA, biosensing, in-lab etc. In addition, the research scientist will facilitate coordination of data transfers between the KSU-SLS and both internal faculty and external to KSU collaborators. The Research Scientist will also assist with manuscript preparation and other data dissemination efforts as well as support grant development as needed.
Eligibility includes a PhD in the behavioral sciences, psychology is preferred, with extensive experience with complex modelling of longitudinal and intensive sampling data. This should include expertise in linear-mixed and structural-equation frameworks. Expertise beyond those domains is very welcome, including Bayesian and machine-learning. Preference will be for individuals who have post-doctoral training and big-data experience, although this is not required.
The initial contract is for 1 year, with renewal after that. This is an internal research staff position (not extramurally funded) and therefore has built in stability and potential for advancement. Full-time salary is commensurate to experience and includes insurance and generous benefits. Inquiries about the position can be emailed to Karin Coifman: kcoifman@kent.edu. **Review of applications begins immediately and will continue until the position is filled.
To Apply: Submit CV, Research Statement (with description of quantitative expertise), 3 representative publications, and 3 letters of recommendation to:
Karin Coifman, PhD
Director, Brain Health Research Institute
Professor, Dept. of Psychological Sciences
Kent State University
Kent State ranks alongside other elite universities designated as very high-activity (R1) research institution by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. The university has strong partnerships with regional medical institutions such as Cleveland Clinic Foundation, University Hospitals and NASA. Kent State, located in Kent, OH, is an eight-system campus, doctoral-granting public institution that enrolls approximately 42,000 students and offers more than 300 academic programs at the certificate, associate, bachelor, master, educational specialist, and doctoral levels. Kent, OH is an inexpensive college town with close proximity to national parks, arts and culture. Students and faculty often live within walking distance.
The Department of Psychological Sciences is a highly productive, collaborative research environment with 20 tenure-track and 5 non-tenure track faculty. The department has over 65 students in doctoral degree programs and over 1000 undergraduate majors. Current department faculty have federally funded research programs in all areas of the field, including development, assessment, health psychology, traumatic stress, and psychopathology. The Department of Psychological Sciences highly values scholarly productivity and grantsmanship. The faculty is internationally recognized for their research and strives to increase scholarly productivity and reputation, both nationally and within the University. The department is ranked by NSF as one of the “Top 100 Psychology Faculties” in federal research expenditures.
The Brain Health Research Institute is a multi-disciplinary collaborative for supporting basic and translational research on brain biology, disease mechanisms, and behavioral processes that underlie health and disease. The BHRI is comprised of more than 180 faculty members that have wide-ranging expertise including cell and molecular biology, psychology, computer science, public health, medicine, neurology, exercise physiology, and rehabilitation science. The University has invested significant resources in creation of the BHRI, including new state-of-the-art lab, carrel and office space which opened in 2021 within the 57,000 sq. ft Integrated Sciences Building, investment in new equipment and shared core facilities to support its research development mission.
Kent State University is committed to creating a community that is culturally and intellectually diverse and to attracting and retaining a diverse staff. We strive to create and maintain working and learning environments that respect differences, and are inclusive, welcoming, respectful and kind.
Closing Date:
Contact: kcoifman@kent.edu