Temporary I-Guide Casual Researcher

This temporary casual research position is co-hosted within the GeoCommons and the Minnesota Population Center (MPC), which has more than 200 faculty, research staff, and student affiliates from two dozen academic units. Established in 2000 and funded by the National Institutes of Health, MPC cultivates innovative population research by providing a stimulating environment for interdisciplinary exchange, a growing population training program, and research support services designed to develop and nurture promising areas of new population research. Affiliates of the MPC benefit from co-location with the renowned IPUMS data infrastructure projects, the University of Minnesota's Life Course Center, and the Minnesota Research Data Center (which is part of the Federal Statistical Research Data Center Network).

Diversity and inclusion are core values of MPC and the GeoCommons. We aspire to create a team that represents the diversity of our city, our region, and our world, and to create a space that encourages and embraces inclusiveness, equal opportunity, and respect.

This a temporary/casual appointment. The successful candidate for this position will work under the supervision of Dr. Eric Shook on the NSF-supported I-GUIDE project.

RESPONSIBILITIES
The casual researcher will collaborate with Dr. Shook and the I-GUIDE team to conduct research; design, develop, and deliver convergence curriculum materials; and develop, write, present, and publish research articles that describe these efforts, among other responsibilities. The specific focus of the research and curriculum materials will be decided in collaboration with Dr. Shook and the I-GUIDE team, but will generally focus on the intersection of convergence science and geospatial data science including geoAI. As part of these efforts, the postdoctoral associate will meet with Dr. Shook and/or other members of the I-GUIDE team once per week in virtual and/or in-person meetings to coordinate research, education, and engagement activities.

The successful candidate will also engage more generally in MPC's rich interdisciplinary intellectual environment and the burgeoning environment at the GeoCommons. This may include attending research seminars and workshops; participating in MPC's research development programming; developing professional connections with other projects based at MPC; and other activities at the MPC and/or GeoCommons

Required:

• Doctoral degree in a field relevant to geospatial data science
• Previous experience working with the I-GUIDE team to conduct research and publish articles
• Strong record of scholarly publication
• Strong geospatial skills, with programming experience with Python, R, or similar
• Excellent English skills for academic writing
• Ability to advance science independently and also as part of collaborative teams
• Interest in fostering an inclusive environment and appreciation of differences in the workplace

Additional selection criteria:

• Experience in curriculum design and delivery especially for geospatial data science
• Interest in convergence science especially in the case of geospatial problems
• Experience working with a variety of kinds of data (e.g., geospatial data, social data, environmental data)
• Experience working in highly interdisciplinary working groups

The Institute for Social Research and Data Innovation is an interdisciplinary research institute that provides the infrastructure and services to support the work of its four centers: IPUMS, the Minnesota Population Center, the Life Course Center, and the Minnesota Research Data Center. The work of the Institute and its centers advances our knowledge of societies and populations across time and space, including economic and demographic behavior, health, well-being, and human-environment interactions.

Diversity and inclusion are core values of our organization! We are committed to creating a work environment that celebrates and promotes diversity and advances a culture of inclusion for persons from historically excluded and underrepresented groups. We strongly encourage members of underrepresented groups to apply.

Pay: $45.00 per hour, depending on qualifications

Work Location: This position is eligible for fully remote, hybrid, or fully onsite work arrangements. ISRDI is located at 50 Willey Hall in Minneapolis, MN.

All applications should include a cover letter and a resume. Please detail in your cover letter how your experience (e.g., coursework, internships, employment, community involvement) addresses the required qualifications listed above.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).