Postdoctoral Scholar in Sentencing Research and Policy

Postdoctoral Scholar in Sentencing Research and Policy

United States, Pennsylvania, University Park

• CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student) – log in to Workday to complete the internal application process. Do not apply here; apply through Workday.
• CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not previously employed at Penn State) – log in to Workday to complete the student application process. Do not apply here; apply through Workday.
• If you are not a current employee or student, click “Apply” and complete the application process for external applicants.

Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.

This is a term position; the length of the term will be discussed during the interview process. Continuation past the term length discussed will be based on university need, performance, and/or availability of funding.

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.

A Ph.D. in criminal justice, criminology, sociology, economics, public policy, or a related field is required at the 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.

• Collaborate with PCS staff to address legislative mandates; empirically assess sentencing policy and/or conduct program evaluations (e.g., evaluating 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.
• Conduct independent research related to sentencing using commission data and data from other criminal justice partners (e.g., Department of Corrections, Administrative Office of the Pennsylvania Courts, local probation offices).
• Seek opportunities for research collaboration with Penn State faculty.

The Postdoctoral Scholar position is fully funded by the Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing ((Use the "Apply for this Job" box below).). The Commission is a legislative agency responsible for advancing effective, humane, and rational policies that promote fairer and more uniform decisions at sentencing, resentencing, and parole.

Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.

Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full‑time employees designed to support both personal and professional well‑being. For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page. (

Note:

For Postdoctoral benefits, please see our Postdoctoral Benefits page.)

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters.

The ASR is available for review here.

Penn State is an equal‑opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865‑1473.

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