Many data sources report related variables of interest that are also referenced over geographic regions and time; however, there are relatively few general statistical methods that one can readily use that incorporate these multivariate spatio-temporal dependencies. Additionally, many multivariate spatio-temporal areal data sets are extremely high dimensional, which leads to practical issues when formulating statistical models. For example, we analyze Quarterly Workforce Indicators (QWI) published by the US Census Bureau’s Longitudinal Employer-Household Dynamics (LEHD) program. QWIs are available by different variables, regions, and time points, resulting in millions of tabulations. Despite their already expansive coverage, by adopting a fully Bayesian framework, the scope of the QWIs can be extended to provide estimates of missing values along with associated measures of uncertainty. Motivated by the LEHD, and other applications in federal statistics, we introduce the multivariate spatio-temporal mixed effects model (MSTM), which can be used to efficiently model high-dimensional multivariate spatio- temporal areal data sets. The proposed MSTM extends the notion of Moran’s I basis functions to the multivariate spatio-temporal setting. This extension leads to several methodological contributions, including extremely effective dimension reduction, a dynamic linear model for multivariate spatio-temporal areal processes, and the reduction of a high-dimensional parameter space using a novel parameter model.

The Department of Computer Science at University of North Carolina Wilmington invites applications for a tenure-track position as an Assistant Professor to begin August 2017. Duties include teaching in the undergraduate and graduate computer science programs and graduate teaching in the data science program, maintaining an active research program, and directing undergraduate and graduate students.

Minimum Requirements

Ph.D. in Computer Science or closely related area required.

Preferred Qualifications

The M.S. degree in data science will begin in Fall 2017, and a primary focus of this position will be to teach in this program and have a research program that complements the degree. Research with emphasis in predictive analytics, data mining, machine learning, visualization, or distributed databases and processing is preferred.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Teach courses in one of the following areas: Applied/Public Sociology or Organizational Dynamics.
• Supervise internships and/or service learning.
• Research Productivity.
• Services to the department, university and community.
• Continuing professional development.
• Contribute to student growth and development.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Ph.D. in Sociology or Ph.D. in a field within Human Services or Public/Social Policy (ABD applicants with expected completion dates by August 14, 2017 will be considered; official transcripts due by September 30, 2017)

More information is available below.

Global climate change and other forms of environmental degradation are important sources of risk in today’s volatile world. Accordingly, research on the links between human migration and the natural environment has increased in quantity and quality in recent years. Many of the related issues impact rural people and places deeply. We are interested in bringing together papers on migration and environment in rural areas for a special organized session co-sponsored by the Population Research Interest Group (RIG) and the Natural Resources RIG at the RSS annual meeting this summer. We specifically want to invite our colleagues from multiple disciplinary (and inter/trans-disciplinary backgrounds) to join us, whether or not they regularly attend RSS. This is an interdisciplinary endeavor and the RSS in general invites participation from “a variety of rural practitioners and disciplines.”

Papers might be theoretical or conceptual, empirical (quantitative or qualitative), applied, or scenarios/futures based. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:

• impacts of climate and environmental stresses or shocks on migration
• impacts of migration on the environment
• environmental justice/equality issues related to migration
• causes and consequences of environmental amenity-based migration
• policy impacts and implications of environment-related migration
• methodological developments
• outcomes among environment-induced migrants

The session organizers will select papers that together well-represent this sub-field and provide a discussant.  Some funding may be available to help support travel, particularly for international participants.

Please submit an abstract (350-500 words) that outlines the purpose and theoretical framing of the paper. If applicable, include methods and data used, and preliminary or expected findings. Abstracts due by midnight Sunday, February 12. Email to Brian Thiede at bct11@psu.edu AND submit your paper directly to the Rural Sociological Society online below.

This workshop provides training in the measure, understanding, analysis of the demographic gender bias as well as of its consequences and the policy response. It will focus on sex imbalances at birth in South Asia (prenatal sex selection), but will also examine other forms of gender bias and the situation elsewhere in Asia and Eastern Europe. Sessions, group discussions, special lectures, and project work will give participants an opportunity to work through the full range of analytical skills required to assess and interpret gender bias.

Eligible participants: Graduate students in social sciences with interest in demography or gender studies/Junior faculty from national academic institutions/NGO and government professionals working in the field of gender equity/International students, academics and professionals from the region.

The African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC) is an African-led and Africa-based international research institute engaged in multidisciplinary, evidence-based policy research. Our researchers address important issues and challenges facing Africa in areas such as education, health, population, aging, urbanization and wellbeing. We engage with policy makers in the region to disseminate our research findings to influence policy decisions and improve the quality of life in Africa. APHRC seeks to recruit up to five researchers to work in its Data and Measurement (2), Aging and Development (1), Urbanization and Wellbeing (1), and Population Dynamics and Sexual and Reproductive Health & Rights (1-2) Units.

Responsibilities (dependent on level appointed):

• Provide leadership to scientific research unit, program or project in a defined area of work
• Lead or support a cohesive team and ensure projects in thematic areas are efficiently implemented
• Contribute to policy engagement and strategic planning as may be needed
• Lead and contribute to proposal development and fundraising for research projects in the unit
• Mentor junior researchers and facilitate in the Center’s training programs as needed
• Secure and manage the necessary human, financial and material resources in the unit, project or program
• Represent the Center at high – level national, regional and international forums, including relevant technical working groups and expert committees
• Contribute to institutional publications (i.e. lay dissemination materials such as- policy/research briefs and fact sheets)
• Oversee data quality and analyses

Qualifications and Experience

• PhD in social, health or behavioral sciences, including demography, biostatistics, epidemiology, public health, Urban Studies, etc
• Rank is open and successful candidates may be appointed at postdoctoral (0-3 years), Associate (35 years), Research Scientist (5-8 years) or Senior Research Scientist (10+ years) levels depending on experience and track record
• Experience working in a research institution, leading research programs or managing research projects
• Experience with conducting evaluations of interventions will be an added advantage
• Excellent scientific writing skills
• Good quantitative or qualitative skills; experience with mixed methods will be an advantage provided one is very strong in quantitative or qualitative methods
• Strong proposal writing skills and track record of winning research grants

The above positions come with an attractive, internationally-competitive remuneration package including medical, travel and life insurance cover. Allowances toward in-relocation (for those recruited from outside Kenya) and dependents’ education are also provided. Preference will be given to nationals of subSaharan African countries. APHRC works in all international languages present in Africa.

Interested candidates are invited to apply and include: letter of application; a statement of research interests and goals (1-2 pages); and CV with contact details of three referees through our email address jobs@aphrc.org. Cover letters should be addressed to: The Human Resources Officer African Population and Health Research Center, Inc APHRC Campus, Manga Close, off Kirawa Road, Kitisuru P. O. Box 10787-GPO, Nairobi NB. Applications will be considered until the positions are filled. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. APHRC is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to the protection of children.

The West Coast Poverty Center is inviting applications from doctoral students at the University of Washington for the 2016-17 West Coast Poverty Center Dissertation Research Fellowship competition. These one-quarter awards will support outstanding doctoral student dissertation research on poverty, poverty-related issues, and anti-poverty policy in the U.S. during Summer (or Spring) 2017. Doctoral candidates from any discipline may apply, but all applicants must be sponsored by a WCPC Faculty Affiliate.

Applications are due by 10:00 am on Monday, February 20, 2017. You can find additional details below.

The University of Washington offers graduate students two major sources of funding for travel to conferences at which they will present or speak:

• The Graduate & Professional Student Senate Travel Grants award up to $300 for domestic conference travel or up to $500 for international conference travel.  Students may only receive these awards once every three years, with a maximum of two awards throughout their UW career.  Applications for these grants are made directly by the student – make sure to carefully review the application instructions and deadlines at the link above.

• The Graduate School Fund for Excellence & Innovation also awards up to $300 for domestic conference travel or up to $500 for international conference travel.  Students may receive this award only once every other year, and priority is given to students who have not previously received the award.  Students cannot apply directly for these grants – an application must be made by your department on your behalf, and each department may have internal policies and procedures governing when and for whom they will request an award.

Postdoctoral researchers are eligible to apply for similar conference travel awards from the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs, which offer $300 for regional travel or $600 for national or international travel. More information and alternatives are available below.

These one-quarter grants provide support to UW graduate students doing international research or study. Successful applicants are awarded either a Chester Fritz Fellowship or a Boeing International Fellowship.

The fellowships are available to fund research and/or study periods of one quarter (three full months) abroad during the 2017-2018 year (autumn 2017 – summer 2018). These awards DO NOT support faculty-led UW study abroad programs.

Awardees will receive a stipend of $2,400 per month, and paid health insurance (GAIP). During the quarter of their award, fellows are required to register for an independent learning program through UW Study Abroad. The program fee is covered by this fellowship. No extra money is included for airfare.