Postdoctoral Scholar in Sentencing Research and Policy

Position Specifics

The Criminal Justice Research Center (CJRC) and Department of Sociology and Criminology at The Pennsylvania State University invite applications for a Postdoctoral Scholar position to begin July 1, 2026, with flexibility. The successful applicant will collaborate with the Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing (PCS) on research related to sentencing guidelines, risk and needs assessment (development and validation of tools), pre-trial release, parole, and related topics.

About the Role

A Ph.D. in criminal justice, criminology, sociology, economics, public policy, or a related field is required at time of appointment. Preference will be given to candidates with advanced training in statistics, experience working with large administrative datasets, and/or an exemplary interest in applied research, and to those with research interests in courts or sentencing and with a knowledge of, or practical experience with, program evaluation.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing (Commission) staff to address legislative mandates;
• Empirically assess sentencing policy and/or conduct program evaluations (e.g., examine the effectiveness of state and county sentencing programs);
• Work closely with criminal justice stakeholders;
• Assist in data collection and data management;
• Prepare grant proposals, manuscripts, and conference presentations;
• Participate in graduate student mentoring.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in criminal justice, criminology, sociology, economics, public policy, or a related field;
• Advanced training in statistics;
• Experience working with large administrative datasets;
• An exemplary interest in applied research;
• Research interests in courts or sentencing;
• A knowledge of, or practical experience with, program evaluation.

Qualifications

• Exemplary interest in applied research;
• Knowledge of, or practical experience with, program evaluation.

Skills

The successful candidate will assist in data collection and data management, prepare grant proposals, manuscripts, and conference presentations, and participate in graduate student mentoring.

Benefits

The Postdoctoral Scholar position is fully funded by the Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing (https://pcs.la.psu.edu).

Pay

The salary range for this position is $40,000 - $50,000 per year.

Schedule

The schedule for this position is flexible.