Post-Doctoral Research Fellow

Position Description: The Post-Doctoral Research Fellow will join the UCR Center for Community Solutions (CCS) under the supervision of Principal Investigator Dr. Qingfang Wang. The fellow will contribute to the Fostering Inclusive Entrepreneurial Ecosystems project and related community-based research initiatives housed within the Center.

The project examines the factors and institutional dynamics shaping inclusive entrepreneurship ecosystems in underserved communities through a comparative and network-based approach. It analyzes how local and regional partnerships foster entrepreneurial activity across cities and governance contexts. The fellow will also contribute to community-engaged research that advances CCS's mission of linking academic inquiry with public problem-solving, emphasizing equitable economic development, inclusive innovation, and evidence-based policymaking in collaboration with community and institutional partners.

Responsibilities: The Postdoctoral Research Fellow will conduct quantitative and mixed-methods analyses of public and confidential datasets relevant to the funded projects. Responsibilities include applying causal inference, spatial econometric, and multilevel modeling techniques to examine the factors shaping inclusive entrepreneurship and community development outcomes. The fellow will also contribute to data management, documentation, and synthesis, and will prepare analytical reports, scholarly manuscripts, and presentations to disseminate research findings to academic, policy, and community audiences. This is a two-year, grant-funded position with the possibility of renewal for an additional 1-2 years. Preferred start date is January 1, 2026.

Examples of Duties: Under the supervision of the PI and in collaboration with project personnel, the Postdoctoral Fellow will:

1. Collaborate across multiple study sites and assist the PI in supervising undergraduate and doctoral researchers.
2. Participate in weekly research team meetings and coordinate project activities.
3. Support program implementation in partnership with Center staff and community collaborators.
4. Collect, analyze, and interpret existing datasets, contributing as author or co-author to manuscripts and reports.
5. Disseminate research findings to academic, policy, and community stakeholders.

Qualifications: A Ph.D. in Geography or a closely related field (e.g., Urban and Regional Planning, Spatial Data Science, or Economics) is required at the time of appointment. The ideal candidate will demonstrate:

1. Strong quantitative and spatial analytic skills, with proficiency in R and Python for data management, modeling, and visualization.
2. Experience applying causal inference, spatial econometric modeling, and machine learning techniques to questions of regional economic development, urban sustainability, or entrepreneurship ecosystems.
3. Proficiency in GIS applications (e.g., ArcGIS) and the integration of geospatial data for analyzing spatial patterns of inequality, innovation, or business activity.
4. Demonstrated ability to work with U.S. Census and other socioeconomic datasets to assess demographic, economic, and spatial trends relevant to community and regional development in the U.S.
5. Evidence of scholarly productivity and a commitment to collaborative, interdisciplinary, and community-based research focused on fostering inclusive and equitable economic growth.

Preferred Qualifications:

1. Research experience in areas related to entrepreneurship ecosystems, inclusive economic development, community wealth building, or anchor institution strategies.
2. Demonstrated interest in community-engaged scholarship and the ability to translate research findings into actionable insights for policymakers, practitioners, and local organizations.
3. Familiarity with mixed-methods or participatory research approaches that integrate quantitative analysis with stakeholder interviews, focus groups, or field-based inquiry.
4. Experience collaborating with community partners, local governments, or regional development organizations, particularly in underserved or underrepresented communities.
5. Strong writing, communication, and visualization skills for preparing reports, manuscripts, and presentations that bridge academic and public audiences.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

1. Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and familiarity with statistical and geospatial software such as Python, R, and GIS applications (e.g., ArcGIS, QGIS).
2. Ability to work collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary research team.
3. Commitment to protecting the confidentiality and integrity of research data and participant information.
4. Demonstrated ability to provide leadership through collaboration, mentorship, and knowledge sharing.
5. Capacity to build and maintain effective relationships with internal team members, research participants, community partners, and institutional stakeholders.
6. Excellent oral and written communication skills, with attention to clarity, accuracy, and audience.
7. Strong organizational skills and attention to detail in managing multiple research activities and deadlines.
8. Deep commitment to research ethics, transparency, and community-engaged scholarship.

Application Instructions: Please apply online at https://aprecruit.ucr.edu/JPF02186 with your resume, cover letter and list of three references. Applications close: October 31, 2025. Review of candidates will begin following the application closing date.

UCR is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact Victoria Anaya (vanaya@ucr.edu).

Salary Range: See Table 23 (https://www.ucop.edu/academic-personnel-programs/_files/2025-26/represented-oct-2025-scales/t23.pdf) for the salary range for this position.

Please contact Victoria Anaya with any questions: vanaya@ucr.edu

School: https://spp.ucr.edu/

Strong quantitative and spatial analytic skills, with proficiency in R and Python for data management, modeling, and visualization.

Experience applying causal inference, spatial econometric modeling, and machine learning techniques to questions of regional economic development, urban sustainability, or entrepreneurship ecosystems.

Proficiency in GIS applications (e.g., ArcGIS) and the integration of geospatial data for analyzing spatial patterns of inequality, innovation, or business activity.

Demonstrated ability to work with U.S. Census and other socioeconomic datasets to assess demographic, economic, and spatial trends relevant to community and regional development in the U.S.

Evidence of scholarly productivity and a commitment to collaborative, interdisciplinary, and community-based research focused on fostering inclusive and equitable economic growth.

Research experience in areas related to entrepreneurship ecosystems, inclusive economic development, community wealth building, or anchor institution strategies.

Demonstrated interest in community-engaged scholarship and the ability to translate research findings into actionable insights for policymakers, practitioners, and local organizations.

Familiarity with mixed-methods or participatory research approaches that integrate quantitative analysis with stakeholder interviews, focus groups, or field-based inquiry.

Experience collaborating with community partners, local governments, or regional development organizations, particularly in underserved or underrepresented communities.

Strong writing, communication, and visualization skills for preparing reports, manuscripts, and presentations that bridge academic and public audiences.

• 3-5 required (contact information only)

List of three references

The University of California, Riverside is a world-class research university with an exceptionally diverse undergraduate student body. UCR is a member institution of the American Association of Universities (AAU) as well as the Alliance of Hispanic Serving Research Universities (HSRU). A commitment to the UCR mission (https://apro.ucr.edu/mission-statement) is a preferred qualification.

We seek to hire scholars who will both advance our research directions and effectively educate our undergraduate and graduate students, while also engaging with University and Professional service activities. Research and teaching statements that are included with application materials are opportunities for candidates to share knowledge, experience, and goals that support the mission of UCR. For more information on UC's criteria for successful faculty, refer to the Academic Personnel Manual (APM) 210 - Criteria for Appointment, Promotion, and Appraisal (https://www.ucop.edu/academic-personnel-programs/_files/apm/apm-210.pdf).

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories under state or federal law. It is the policy of the University of California to undertake affirmative action and anti-discrimination efforts, consistent with its obligations as a Federal and State contractor.

As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, State, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.

As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct.

"Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment or discrimination, as defined by the employer. A Misconduct Disclosure Survey will be completed through Truescreen, which is the vendor that administers this process for the campus.

For the University of California's Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy please visit:

https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4000385/SVSH.

For the University of California's Anti-Discrimination Policy for Employees, Students, and Third Parties, please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination.

For the University of California's Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment Policy, please visit: https://www.ucop.edu/academic-personnel-programs/_files/apm/apm-035.pdf.