Presidential Postdoctoral Scholar in Social Science - Justice and Equity

The T. Denny Sanford School of Social and Family Dynamics (SSFD) at Arizona State University (ASU) invites applications for up to two postdoctoral scholar positions in the area of equity and fairness at the nexus of civil and criminal justice.

SSFD, part of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, is an innovative interdisciplinary academic unit that engages diverse approaches to study society, institutions, communities, families and individuals. The School brings together scholars from a range of disciplines, with core strengths that include the study of justice and equity in families, schools, communities, and institutions, and cutting-edge theoretical and methodological innovations in the study of racial inequalities. SSFD hosts active workshops in Inequality and in Law, Politics, and Society; these bring together scholars from the around the School, University, nation and world who are working on issues of justice and equity. The School hosts Law & Society Review, the international flagship journal for empirical interdisciplinary sociolegal research, and Theoretical Criminology, an international journal for empirical research that advances theoretical aspects of criminological knowledge.

For these positions, we seek to hire candidates whose work engages with equity and fairness at the nexus of civil and criminal justice. Recent attention to America’s practice of mass incarceration has revealed how legal systems contribute to racial inequalities and to social, political and economic exclusion. Research also documents the close relationship between experiences with one legal system and consequences in the other. For example, criminal justice system involvement can result in civil justice issues such as court-ordered debt obligations (e.g., fines and fees), restrictions on livelihood (e.g., revocations of professional and drivers’ licenses), and eviction. Civil justice system involvement can result in incarceration for violation of court orders (e.g., for unpaid child support or medical or other debts, domestic violence), while interactions with civil issues can transform into criminal matters (e.g., school discipline, immigration, municipal ordinances, welfare fraud). This nexus is a key area of research for scholars of race, justice, and inequality, and an important site for the creation and potential amelioration of inequalities affecting young people and adults, families, and communities, particularly Black people and other marginalized groups. Relevant scholarship can include, but certainly is not limited to, work in the areas of access to justice, domestic violence, immigration, involvement in multiple justice systems, reproductive rights, school-to-prison pipeline, school violence and safety, substance use and other risk behaviors, and tribal justice.

The postdoctoral scholars selected will join a cohort of 10-15 other postdoctoral scholars at ASU as part of the Presidential Postdoctoral Fellowship Program. The goal of the program is to support the career development of outstanding Ph.D. recipients with great potential for advancing the ASU Charter into a future tenure track appointment at ASU. The program seeks applicants whose professional preparedness, experience, and accomplishments are informed by experiences working with and within groups historically underrepresented in higher education in the United States. Where pools of qualified applicants are strong, priority will be given to applicants who demonstrate, through prior actions and achievements, intentional and actioned commitment diversity, equity, and inclusion.Examples of such contributions are research or creative activity focused on empowering underserved populations; teaching, mentorship, and service that increases equitable access; and inclusion in fields where historically excluded populations are underrepresented.

The Sanford School of Social and Family Dynamics has committed to provide individualized mentorship and career development to ensure each candidate is well prepared to succeed in a future tenure track appointment. Career development and community building will also occur through programmatic support at the ASU Graduate College’s Postdoctoral Affairs Office.

ASU is a large, comprehensive, research university and for nearly two decades, has transformed into the “New American University,” one dedicated to the simultaneous pursuit of excellence, broad access to quality education, and meaningful societal impact. By our Charter and Design Aspirations, we center inclusion and success as values that drive the enterprise; adopt inter- and transdisciplinary approaches to teaching and learning as ways to address society’s greatest challenges; and develop innovative partnerships to produce master learners across the lifespan. To learn more about ASU, visit http://www.asu.edu.

Qualifications

Successful applicants for the postdoctoral positions must demonstrate the ability to contribute to the mission of the School. Successful candidates will engage in scholarly research and have the option of teaching on-campus and online. The specific responsibilities of the position include: conducting research and publishing scholarship within the person’s specialty area(s). Postdoctoral scholars will have the option of teaching in the School’s curriculum. 

Minimum qualifications

•     A Ph.D. in a social-scientific field from a regionally-accredited university or clear demonstration that the Ph.D. will be received by the time of appointment;
•     Demonstrated potential for excellence in research and teaching; and,
•     Substantive specialization in some aspect of justice and equity at the nexus of civil and criminal law.

Desired qualifications

Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and student success while working with broadly diverse student populations.

This position is located at the Arizona State University at the Tempe campus. All postdoctoral fellowship positions are for one year. Options for an additional one or two years of funding or a transition to a tenure track position may be offered, depending on each fellow’s progress and training needs. Faculty tenure track appointments will require a process of review within the designated tenure home unit. Salary is $60,000 per year.

Application Instructions

Applications can be submitted online via [http://apply.interfolio.com/104662]. Application materials should include a curriculum vitae; a letter of interest describing how you meet the qualifications noted above; a diversity statement addressing how your past and/or potential contributions to diversity, equity, and inclusion will advance ASU’s Charter; and contact information for 3 references including email addresses. Application deadline is November 18, 2022.  Applications will continue to be accepted on a rolling basis for a reserve pool.  Applications in the reserve pool may then be reviewed in the order in which they were received until the position is filled.

Inquiries can be directed to Leslie Paik, Leslie.Paik@asu.edu.

For more information on the Sanford School, please visit our website at https://thesanfordschool.asu.edu. Learn more about the Children’s Equity Project at https://childandfamilysuccess.asu.edu/cep

The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences values our cultural and intellectual diversity and continually strives to foster a welcoming and inclusive environment. We are especially interested in applicants who can strengthen the diversity of the academic community. Learn more about what The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences has to offer by visiting https://thecollege.asu.edu/faculty