Postdoctoral Scholar in Quantitative Methods

The Department of Psychology at the University of California, Riverside invites applications for a Postdoctoral Scholar in Quantitative Methods working in Dr. Holly O'Rourke's lab, beginning Fall 2025 with funding guaranteed for two years. There is potential for renewal based on performance and funding availability. Postdoctoral salary is based on experience level. Salary range for this position will be $66,737 - $80,034. A Ph.D. in quantitative psychology, statistics, biostatistics, data science, or related field is required.

This position offers an exciting opportunity for a motivated scholar to contribute to cutting-edge research in applied statistical approaches to behavior change. Postdoctoral scholars interested in the development of statistical techniques in the areas of mediation analysis and longitudinal modeling are encouraged to apply. The postdoctoral scholar will engage in one or more of the following research areas:

• Mechanisms of Behavior Change: Advancing research in mediation analysis, including approaches to estimation of mediation outcomes with zero-inflated count distributions.
• Data Science Approaches to Behavior Change: Applying group iterative multiple model estimation (GIMME) and other similar algorithms, along with machine learning, to model behavioral dynamics in health behaviors with time series and other high-dimensional data.
• Research Design and Methodology: Advancing best practices in methodological research designs that utilize Monte Carlo simulations.

Responsibilities:

• Conduct independent and collaborative research in quantitative methods.
• Develop and apply statistical and machine learning models to behavioral datasets.
• Lead contributions to peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations.
• Engage in grant writing and dissemination of research findings.
• Mentor graduate and undergraduate students in quantitative methods.

Complete applications must include: a cover letter of interest, an updated CV, a statement of research, a statement of past and/or planned future contributions to advancing diversity and inclusive excellence, at least one publication or writing sample, and names and contact information for three references.

Review of applications will begin on April 21 and will continue until the position has been filled. Applications received by April 21 will receive full consideration.

Applicants who use Interfolio may utilize a feature provided by the Interfolio Service to allow Interfolio to upload their letters directly into AP Recruit. Applicants can input an Interfolio-generated email address in place of their letter writer's email address. Interfolio refers to this as Online Application Deliveries. The following link on the Interfolio website shows how to set this up (http://help.interfolio.com/entries/24062742-Uploading-Letters-to-an-Online-Application-System).

Please note that candidates are not required to have a current US work visa in order to apply; J-1/H-1B visas may be sponsored for the selected candidate.

Please contact Dr. Holly O'Rourke hollyo@ucr.edu with any questions.

Department: https://psychology.ucr.edu/

A Ph.D. in quantitative psychology, statistics, biostatistics, data science, or related field.

• Strong background in statistical modeling, machine learning, or software programming.
• Proficiency in programming and statistical software (e.g., R, Python, Mplus).
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and collaboratively in an interdisciplinary research environment.
• Strong publication record and excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Experience with longitudinal data analysis, mediation analysis, and predictive modeling.
• Experience developing and maintaining R packages.
• Familiarity with Monte Carlo simulation methodologies.
• Experience working with biological wearable data, ecological momentary assessment data, or other time series data.

The University of California, Riverside is a world-class research university with an exceptionally diverse undergraduate student body. UCR is a member institution of the American Association of Universities (AAU) as well as the Alliance of Hispanic Serving Research Universities (HSRU). Its mission is explicitly linked to providing routes to educational success for underrepresented and first-generation college students. A commitment to this mission is a preferred qualification.

• 3-5 required (contact information only)

Letter writers will be contacted once finalists have been determined

The University of California, Riverside is a world-class research university with an exceptionally diverse undergraduate student body. UCR is a member institution of the American Association of Universities (AAU) as well as the Alliance of Hispanic Serving Research Universities (HSRU). Its mission is explicitly linked to providing routes to educational success for underrepresented and first-generation college students. A commitment to this mission is a preferred qualification.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or protected veteran status.

For the University of California policies on Affirmative Action, Anti-Discrimination, and Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy, see below.

As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, State, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.

As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct, are currently being investigated for misconduct, left a position during an investigation for alleged misconduct, or have filed an appeal with a previous employer.

"Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer.

For the University of California's Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy please visit:

https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4000385/SVSH.

For the University of California's Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment Policy please visit: https://www.ucop.edu/academic-personnel-programs/_files/apm/apm-035.pdf.

For the University of California's Anti-Discrimination Policy for Employees, Students, and Third Parties, please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination.