The Research Scientist, Water Insecurity Measurement, at the Assistant or Associate rank is responsible for working with a large interdisciplinary team of social scientists to collate and analyze household-level survey data collected from multiple Arizona sites collected as part of the AWII, alongside with comparative international and national samples collected by HWISE-RCN. The position goal and expected outcomes is to ensure development of an innovative water insecurity measurement tool that will improve capacities to monitor household water insecurity across a wide range of sites in Arizona and beyond that will improve measurement reliability and validity in lower income communities embedded in higher income settings, and then ensure data are collated and stored to allow long-term access and future utility to researchers across multiple fields. Beyond this central task, the researcher will also provide ongoing administrative support and guidance as a quantitative expert for other team members, such as data management, cleaning, analytic planning, and modeling of social science data sets produced by projects included in wider Arizona Water for All activities.

This is a benefits-eligible, full-time, 12-month position, with no tenure implications. The initial appointment will be for one year, with the opportunity for renewal contingent on funding availability and satisfactory performance. The anticipated start date is May 2025.

Essential Duties

75%: Research

This position requires strong organizational skills to manage multiple tasks, maintain overall program mission, conduct data analysis, curate complex datasets, develop data protocols, and work cooperatively in a disciplinary team environment which includes people from a range of different social and ethnic backgrounds and of different genders and personal identifiers. The researcher will collaborate with other research staff and be principal data manager for the collaborative dataset. The position includes collaboration with an international group of researchers to advance the goals of the project. The person in this position supports the research team and project objectives, leads and contributes to academic publications, participates in team meetings, and presents research.

10%: Program Coordination

The successful candidate will coordinate with the Household Water Insecurity Experiences Research Coordination Network as part of this collaboration. It will require day-to-day team interaction with, liaison between, and coordination of a wide range of internal and external constituencies involved in program activities. This work responsibility includes writing, editing, administrative support tasks, including creation, typing, and editing of program correspondence. May perform specialized activities of a programmatic nature in direct support of the accomplishment of program objectives.

10%: Project Management

The successful candidate will organize and manage project data, arrange events and meetings relating to the project, engage in project management, and contribute to the analysis and dissemination of research.

5%: Other Duties

Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

Assistant Research Scientist

• PhD degree and three years of experience with computational modeling and analysis of social ecological systems, computational modeling, statistical inference, data analysis and visualization.
• Proven experience in quantitative social science modeling of complex multi-level data sets, including STATA and R, and complex datasets.
• A track record in academic peer-reviewed publication in a relevant area
• Proven capacity to work effectively and productively within transdisciplinary teams
• Proven track record in successfully developing and managing data repositories
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and robustly document code.
• Excellent communication skills (verbal and presentation skills) and excellent academic writing skills in English

Associate Research Scientist

• PhD degree and five years of experience with computational modeling and analysis of social ecological systems, computational modeling, statistical inference, data analysis and visualization.
• In addition to the required qualifications above, the successful candidate at this rank should have demonstrated expertise in statistics, data science, and specialization in the social and ecological sciences. This includes evidence of scholarship and a demonstrated record of computational modeling competence of social and ecological sciences (published computational models, journal articles, etc.).

Desired Qualifications:

• Scholarly expertise in water insecurity
• Experience in harmonizing survey data captured through SurveyCTO
• Proven commitment to all aspects of Open Science (including the use of version control systems such as GitHub)

Working Environment:

• Some activities are performed in an environmentally controlled office setting subject to extended periods of being in a stationary position, operating computer and other office productivity machinery; required to move a moderate distance to perform work.
• Other activities may require driving and meeting with people.
• Regular activities require the ability to quickly change priorities, which may include and/or are subject to resolution of conflicts.
• Ability to clearly and regularly communicate to perform essential functions.
• Will require a flexible working schedule in order to accommodate projects and initiatives.

Only electronic submissions will be reviewed. Incomplete applications will not be considered. To apply for this position, submit the following required application materials:

• A detailed cover letter that includes a description of applicant’s research interests and relevant experience and vision related to the position.
• Current curriculum vitae.
• Contact information for three professional references (include name, title, affiliation, email address, phone number).

Review of applications will begin May 5, 2025. If not filled, applications will be evaluated weekly thereafter until the search is closed.

Department Statement

Arizona Water for All (AW4A) is a pillar under the Arizona Water Innovation Initiative (AWII) and supported by the School of Human Evolution and Social Change (SHESC). AWII is a statewide project led by the Julie Ann Wrigley Global Futures Laboratory in collaboration with the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering. Through this initiative, ASU works with industrial, municipal, agricultural, tribal and international partners to rapidly accelerate and deploy new approaches and technology for water conservation, augmentation, desalination efficiency, infrastructure and reuse. SHESC investigates what makes us human and how we use new knowledge to foster a healthier, more sustainable world.