University of Kansas

Position Title/Short Description

Full Text of JOE Listing:

Overview:
The Institute for Policy & Social Research (IPSR) is a faculty-driven research center supporting social scientists who focus on social problems and policy-relevant research questions. The Institute for Policy & Social Research at the University of Kansas invites candidates to apply for the position of Research Scientist/Associate or Full Professor. The Research Scientist will hold a joint appointment (research and tenured) within IPSR and the Economics Department or School of Public Affairs and Administration at KU. Candidates will be considered at the Associate Professor/Associate Scientist or Full Professor/Senior Scientist level depending on their credentials. The position is expected to begin as early as August 15, 2022.

The Research Scientist must be a visionary leader and excellent communicator who will be responsible for advancing IPSR’s mission and overseeing the implementation of its strategic goals to conduct cutting-edge social science and policy-relevant research. IPSR facilitates and supports fundamental and cross-disciplinary research on social problems and issues. The Institute provides policy-relevant research to Kansas state and local governments as well as the federal government.

The Research Scientist will also be expected to assume leadership responsibility in collaboration with the KU faculty and IPSR staff for generating external funding from public and private sources to maintain a significant program of national and international research related to the mission of IPSR. The Research Scientist will possess a robust interest and commitment to policy-relevant research around the areas of regional economic development, public finance, labor markets, demography, education, and/or health.

In a continuing effort to enrich its academic environment and provide equal education and employment opportunities, the university actively encourages applications from members of underrepresented groups in higher education. The University of Kansas is especially interested in hiring faculty members who can contribute to the Jayhawks Rising Strategic Plan (see https://jayhawksrising.ku.edu/). The successful candidate must be eligible to work in the U.S, by the time of appointment.
Required Qualifications: Evaluation of the following requirements will be made through: (1) descriptions of research agenda and teaching philosophy in letter of application, (2) record of accomplishments and productivity included in CV, and (3) information provided from three professional references.
1. A PhD in economics, public policy, political science or sociology.
2. Evidence of external funding, as principal or co-principal investigator, from federal agencies such as US Department of Education, US Department of Health and Human Services, and/or the National Science Foundation; and/or leadership in directing research at a federal agency.
3. Evidence of established dissemination record over at least a six-year period including peer-reviewed publications and presentations.
4. Demonstrated potential to teach effectively both undergraduate and graduate courses.
5. Demonstrated potential to work in collaborative interdisciplinary environments.
6. Eligibility for appointment with tenure at the rank of Associate or Full Professor/Associate Scientist or Senior Scientist

Candidates should apply at https://employment.ku.edu/academic/20616BR. A complete application includes the following materials: Cover letter, curriculum vitae, a research statement; a teaching statement; and the name and contact information for 3 professional recommendations.

In addition to the materials above, learning about each applicant’s contribution and engagement in areas of diversity is an important part of KU’s mission. As a result, applicants will be presented the following question at the time of application. The response must be within 4,000 characters:
• Describe your experiences working with people from diverse backgrounds and explain how those experiences reflect your commitments to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Initial review of applications begins December 15, 2021 and continues as needed to ensure a large, high quality, and diverse applicant pool. For additional information contact Jena Gunter at kujena@ku.edu. KU is an EO/AAE, full policy at http://policy.ku.edu/IOA/nondiscrimination.