The Center for Carceral Education and Outreach in the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences with the West Virginia University Research Corporation is currently accepting applications for a Post Doctoral Research Associate.

About the Opportunity

This three-year postdoctoral fellowship will involve community-engaged research and high-impact teaching. The fellow will teach undergraduate courses, serve as Program Coordinator of the WVU Higher Education in Prison Initiative (HEPI), and conduct research related to the field of higher education in prison or critical prison studies.

At WVU Research Corporation, we strongly believe in work-life balance and keeping time for things we love outside our work. WVU Research Corporation offers a comprehensive benefits package with a variety of options to suit your needs:

• 13 paid holidays (staff holiday calendar)
• Paid Time off (PTO)
• 403(b) retirement savings with a fully vested 3% employee contribution match, (Employees have the option of contributing an additional 1-3% of their earnings to the plan, which is also matched by the WVURC)
• A range of health insurance and other benefits
• Dependent Education Scholarship
• WVU Perks

What You'll Do

• Teach four courses each academic year, mainly in Sociology or Criminology, on campus, online, or at SCI-Greene. Courses will be related to mass incarceration, prison history, prison studies, or the field of higher education in prison.
• Act as Program Coordinator for the WVU Higher Education in Prison Initiative.
• Assist HEPI Director with program development, course planning, instructor recruitment, scheduling, and teacher training.  
• Serve as member of the HEPI Advisory Council.
• Communicate regularly with students, prison staff, and instructors.
• Communicate with Registrar and Admissions to manage student enrollment, class registration, and transcripts.
• Create curriculum and timeline for degree completion at Greene.
• Track data on student enrollment and program completion.
• Design, collect, and summarize student feedback on courses.
• Collect and summarize student information.
• Design, collect, and summarize feedback from the cohort on the program.
• Archive and provide reports on mid-year and end-of-year teacher training feedback.
• Attend Think Tank meetings at Greene every other week.
• Assist with fundraising and grant-writing.
• Submit clearances for WVU faculty, students, and guests.
• Generate a research agenda related to the Initiative, carceral studies, and/or prison-related policies.
• Create annual reports on HEPI.
• Present research findings at HEPI Advisory Council meetings and in public forums.

Qualifications

• PhD in the humanities or social sciences.
• A minimum of two (2) years of experience involving:
• Documented commitment to educational access and equity
• Familiarity with prison environment
• Publication record in the applicant’s field
• Public speaking
• College instruction
• Detail oriented; excellent record keeping.
• Clear and timely communication, written and oral.
• Ability to work collaboratively and independently.
• Discretion in dealing with confidential information.
• Familiarity with Excel, Microsoft, Google Drive.
• Ability to manage budgets and write grants.
• Knowledge of trauma-responsive pedagogy.
• Expertise in higher education in prison programming.

About Research Corporation The WVURC was created as a not-for-profit corporation in 1985 to support research (R1) at West Virginia University.  We provide evaluation, development, patenting, management, and marketing services for inventions of the faculty, staff and students of the University.

The WVURC receives and administers funds awarded by external agencies for research and other activities and is responsible for helping protect intellectual property through patents, copyrights and licensing agreements for start-up companies based on University research.

West Virginia University Research Corporation is proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer. We value diversity among its employees and invites applications from all qualified applicants regardless of race, ethnicity, color, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, nationality, genetics, disability, or Veteran status.

Job Posting: May 26, 2023

Posting Classification: Research Corporation

Exemption Status: Exempt

Benefits Eligible: Yes

Schedule: Full-time