Assistant Professor (Measurement Issues in Complex Data Structures) in the UCLA Department of Psychology
scarusoucla
The UCLA Department of Psychology invites applications for a full-time, tenure-track Assistant Professor specializing in measurement and psychometric issues related to complex data structures. Such structures include but are not limited to intensive longitudinal and/or spatial data that manifest through emerging methods such as body sensing (e.g., wearables, eye/behavior tracking), brain activity recording (e.g., fMRI, EEG, cellular neurophysiology/imaging), and ecological assessment (e.g., daily diary, experience sampling). Faculty in our Department are at the forefront of using and applying these cutting-edge data collection methods.
The Department of Psychology seeks a quantitative methodologist who specializes in the development of sophisticated measurement and data analytic methods for complex data structures like those described above. The ideal candidate’s methodological specialization will involve emerging methodologies at the intersection of time-series analysis, state-space analysis, dynamic models, big data methods such as machine and deep learning, and network analysis, among others. These frameworks assume that inputs are reliably measured and accurately represent the phenomena of interest. New modeling approaches must be developed for evaluating the validity, reliability, and comparability of measures arising from complex data structures. Preference will be given to individuals whose specialization connects to, but extends beyond established measurement theories, bringing innovative methodologies that augment the Department’s existing strengths in quantitative methods. Potential applicants who have questions about how their specialization aligns with the position can contact Prof. Craig Enders, search committee chair, at SearchCommittee@psych.ucla.edu.
The UCLA Department of Psychology is located within the Division of Life Sciences, part of the College of Letters and Science that serves undergraduate and graduate students. The search is particularly geared toward candidates who share our belief that, as professors at a leading public university, we strive for excellence in teaching, service, research, and in promoting equity, diversity and inclusion. We are eager to welcome an outstanding scientist and mentor who will create opportunities designed to advance development of the next generation of diverse scientists, while also contributing to the collaborative and supportive environment that characterizes our Department.
Applicants must hold a Ph.D. in psychology, biostatistics/statistics, data science, or a related social science or behavioral science field (e.g., education) no later than one year after hire. Applicants should demonstrate a strong track record of or potential for productive and impactful research relative to their career stage, with a substantive focus on quantitative methodology. In addition to an outstanding record of research and potential for extramural research support, the successful candidate will demonstrate a history of, or the potential for, contributing to the teaching, mentoring, and service missions of the Department and University. The candidate should have a demonstrated interest in collaboration with researchers within and outside the Department of Psychology. Applicants with a history of commitment to mentoring and supervising students from underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply.
Current faculty in the Department of Psychology’s Quantitative Area have ongoing collaborations with researchers within the Department and across campus. UCLA offers a vibrant academic community with an abundance of collaborative opportunities. The campus has a wealth of quantitative expertise, including groups in biostatistics, statistics, education, quantitative and computational biosciences, the Institute for Digital Research & Education (IDRE), and the Center for Research on Evaluation, Standards, and Student Testing (CRESST), among others.
This search is sponsored by DataX, a campuswide initiative that advances research, scholarship, artistic creation, and education to strengthen UCLA’s robust, diverse, and cross-disciplinary community of data-centric scholars. DataX aims to empower, enhance, and integrate existing capabilities across campus. DataX prioritizes social and ethical concerns by foregrounding approaches and applications at the intersection of data, justice, and society. The purpose of this search is to recruit an exceptional, interdisciplinary scholar whose teaching, scholarship and service augment applied “data sciences” and “data cultures” in all disciplines. The faculty member hired through this search will be an active participant in the DataX community, will gain access to the DataX research pipeline and, as inaugural core faculty of DataX, will help build inclusive research and educational initiatives across the UCLA campus. 100% of the faculty line will be housed in the Department of Psychology. Promotion, advancement, and review will follow the standard procedures for the Department.
We strongly encourage applications from women, individuals from racial and ethnic groups historically excluded in higher education, and individuals from groups who remain underrepresented, across national origin, physical ability, gender and sexual identity. UCLA offers a diverse campus community and is a leader in advancing strategies to diversify its faculty. This includes recent initiatives such as Rising to the Challenge, Hispanic-Serving Institution initiative, and Native American/Pacific Islander Bruins Rising. UCLA aims to achieve federal designation as a Hispanic Serving Institution by 2025. UCLA is home to a diverse student body of 46,000 undergraduate and graduate students and is ranked highest among the top 20 national universities for social mobility — a measurement of the achievement of students from challenging socioeconomic backgrounds. UCLA also has programs to assist in partner employment, childcare, schooling, and other family concerns. For additional information, visit the UCLA Academic Affairs and Personnel Office website (https://apo.ucla.edu/faculty-career-development/work-life-balance) or the UC Office of the President’s website (https://www.ucop.edu/faculty-affairs-academic-programs/resources/family-friendly-practices-and-policies/family-friendly-policies-and-issues.html and https://ucop.edu/faculty-affairs-academic-programs/index.html).
To ensure full consideration, the online application should be completed and submitted by January 12, 2025. Applications should include a cover letter, curriculum vitae, contact information for three recommenders, three relevant publications, and three personal statements, each of no more than three pages. Letters of recommendation will be requested at a later date from applicants who progress to a later stage of review. UCLA and the UCLA Department of Psychology are firmly committed to the principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI). Therefore, in addition to research and teaching statements, we require applicants to submit an EDI statement that addresses their past, present, and future (planned) contributions to EDI in their scholarship, teaching, and service. Applicants should indicate their history of commitment to mentoring students from underrepresented groups in their cover letter or EDI statement. Additional information about the EDI statement is available at https://ucla.app.box.com/v/edi-statement-faqs. Requests for information should be sent to the search committee chair at SearchCommittee@psych.ucla.edu.
The posted UC salary scales (https://www.ucop.edu/academic-personnel-programs/compensation/index.html) set the minimum pay determined by rank and step at appointment. See Table 1. The salary range for this position is $78,200-$101,400. “Off-scale salaries”, i.e. a salary that is higher than the published system-wide salary at the designated rank and step, are offered when necessary to meet competitive conditions.
Apply at the following website: https://recruit.apo.ucla.edu/JPF09885
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