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Graduate School

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September 1, 2024

Job Description Overview:

The University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC) is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate in the Social Sciences to support an innovative project aimed at transforming the hiring practices and career success of tenure track historically underrepresented minority faculty in biomedical sciences. Specifically, the research investigates how tools and resources can assess and improve academic department “readiness” to recruit, retain and advance scholars from minoritized backgrounds. This position offers an exciting opportunity to conduct quantitative and qualitative research across institutions while making a meaningful impact on diversity and inclusion in academia.

Project details:

Working under the supervision of Dr. Wendy Carter-Veale (sociologist) and Dr. Robin Cresiski (biologist), the Fellow will focus on the following objectives:

1. Comparison of Readiness Assessment Tools: Assess the extent to which the PROMISE Academy Alliance-developed Departmental Readiness Self-Assessment (DRSA) aligns with the previously utilized Departmental Readiness Tool (DRT), a climate survey, and the C-Change Faculty Survey. Utilize existing data from two departments for immediate comparison and collect additional data from other institutions/departments for comparative analysis.

2. Evaluation of DRSA Process and Accuracy: Investigate the processes used by departments to engage with and complete the DRSA and assess the accuracy of submissions in reflecting departmental climate and readiness. Deploy surveys within designated departments to gather insights within one month of hire and expand data collection to additional departments in fall 2024.

3. Utilization of DRSA and other resources in Hiring Practices: Explore the extent to which Deans or committees utilize DRSA narratives, evaluator feedback, and resources provided in determining hiring/hiring order. Deploy surveys to understand usage.

4. Behavioral Changes and Feedback Utilization: Investigate the intention and actual changes in departmental behavior based on feedback from evaluators of the DRSA, including the utilization of provided resources for improvement. Develop survey instruments, seek IRB approval, and collect/analyze data.

Required Qualifications:

• Doctoral degree in Social Sciences or related field.
• Strong research background with experience in quantitative and qualitative methods.
• Familiarity with survey design and data analysis techniques.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team environment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in grant-funded research projects is preferred.
• Knowledge about the experiences of underrepresented scholars in higher education.

Additional Information:

The position offers opportunities for professional development and publication in open-access journals. Budget includes funding for transcription services, conference travel, and publication fees.

Interested candidates should submit the following documents:

• Cover Letter
• Resume/CV
• Sample of Writing (i.e. manuscript or chapter)
• 3 References (references will not be contacted until after interview stage) 

For inquiries about the application process, please contact Dr. Robin Cresiski at rcresisk@umbc.edu.

UMBC, an honors university serving more than 14,000 undergraduates and 2,000 graduate students, is one of two public universities in Maryland to achieve the “doctoral/research university-extensive” Carnegie classification. Located just outside Baltimore and 45 minutes from Washington, DC, the campus is growing rapidly under dynamic leadership.

Our UMBC community redefines excellence in higher education through an inclusive culture that connects innovative teaching and learning, research across disciplines, and civic engagement. We will advance knowledge, economic prosperity, and social justice by welcoming and inspiring inquisitive minds from all backgrounds. The successful candidate will join a department with a strong commitment to diversity and inclusive excellence, and will be expected to contribute actively to these efforts (https://diversity.umbc.edu/).