Posted: Dec 12, 2025

Postdoctoral Scholar: Criminal Justice Research Center & PA Department of Corrections

Pennsylvania State University - University Park, PA

Application Deadline: N/A

Postdoctoral Scholar: Criminal Justice Research Center & PA Department of Corrections

POSITION SPECIFICS

The Criminal Justice Research Center (CJRC) at The Pennsylvania State University, in cooperation with the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections (PADOC), invites applications for a Postdoctoral Scholar position. The successful applicant will collaborate with the PADOC on research related to the evaluation of institutional and community corrections rehabilitation programs, offender risk and needs assessment, correctional policy analysis and related topics.

Responsibilities of the Postdoctoral Scholar will include:

Data collection and/or management

Data analyses

Preparation of reports, manuscripts, and conference presentations

Participation in graduate and undergraduate student mentoring

In addition to collaborative projects, the Postdoctoral Scholar will have access to exceptional resources to facilitate their independent research.

Applications are encouraged from both current:

Ph.D. candidates (an appointment to the position is contingent on completing all requirements for the degree by the appointment date)

Scholars who have completed the Ph.D. within the past two years

A Ph.D. in criminal justice, criminology, sociology, economics, public policy, or a related field is required at time of appointment.

Preference will be given to candidates with advanced training in statistics or methods of causal inference and to those with research interests in corrections (institutional and community) and with a knowledge of, or practical experience with, program evaluation. Preference will also be considered for candidates with experience and/or training in using predictive analytics and machine learning techniques, econometric techniques, data visualization techniques, and various statistical software.

The CJRC has an outstanding portfolio of faculty affiliates, seed funding resources, and externally funded ongoing research projects. The PADOC is the 7th largest state correctional system in the nation, maintains an award-winning research bureau and has a national reputation for supporting and conducting rigorous correctional research, often in partnership with major research universities and institutes. The CJRC is also connected to the Penn State Department of Sociology and Criminology (https://sociology.la.psu.edu/), which is ranked among the top in the nation and provides graduate and undergraduate programs focused specifically on crime and criminal justice policy.

To apply and be considered for this opportunity, please submit:

An application;

A letter of interest; and

A CV.

If selected as a finalist for the position, recommendation letters will be requested. Review of applications will begin immediately.

For more information about the position, please contact Gary Zajac, Managing Director of the CJRC mailto:([email protected]).

BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES

Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.

BENEFITS

Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional well-being.

For more detailed information, please visit our https://hr.psu.edu/current-employee/benefits

EEO IS THE LAW

Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.

The Pennsylvania State University is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive. We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university's teaching, research, and service mission.

Apply online at https://apptrkr.com/6785244

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