Measuring the relative location of U.S. Supreme Court justices on an ideological continuum allows us to better understand the politics of the high court. In addition, such measures are an important building blocking of statistical models of the Supreme Court, the separation of powers system, and the judicial hierarchy. One such set of measures are the "Martin-Quinn" measures of judicial ideology developed by Andrew D. Martin (Washington University, School of Law) and Kevin M. Quinn (Harvard University, Department of Government). Project Website

The current version of the Martin-Quinn scores are estimated using custom C++ code within the out-dated Scythe Statistical Library, Version 0.2, to fit a dynamic item response theory model.

This project consists of updating the existing code to the updated version of the Scythe Statistical Library, version 1.0.2, and optimizing the existing C++ code.

The project is sponsored by Professor Andrew D. Martin and the Center for Empirical Research in the Law (CERL) in the School of Law at Washington University.

We would like this project to commence as soon as possible, with an estimated time to completion of 50 hours. Other opportunities for future employment are available, upon successful completion of this project. Experience with the C++ computer language is requisite. Compensation is competitive.

The Center for Empirical Research in the Law is in need of Washington University law students to work as research assistants on various CERL projects. We seek students with technological backgrounds, especially those pertaining to web development, database management, and/or computer programming. Interested students should contact the CERL Director ( email ) outlining their availability and relevant experience.

The Center for Empirical Research in the Law ( site ) at the Washington University School of Law ( site ) is offering a one-year postdoctoral fellowship for scholars with Ph.D.s in political science, economics, psychology, sociology, statistics, or other social sciences with interests in empirical legal scholarship. The Fellow will conduct their own research, participate in an on-going research seminar, and collaborate with law school faculty. There are no teaching responsibilities.

Candidates must possess a Ph.D. at the time of appointment. Salary will be competitive and commensurate with experience. The fellowship will be for a term of one year, with renewal possible.

Applicants should send a curriculum vita, two letters of recommendation, a writing sample, and a statement of planned research to: Karma Jenkins, CERL Administrative Coordinator, Campus Box 1120, Washington University School of Law, St. Louis, MO, 63130. Applications will begin being considered on February 23, 2007.

The Center for Empirical Research in the Law at the Washington University School of Law ( site ) is offering multiple one-year positions for Graduate Student Associates for the upcoming academic year. Applications are welcome from any Ph.D. student at Washington University ( site ) working on substantively germane projects or in the fields of empirical methodology.

CERL GSAs are expected to fully participate in the intellectual life of of the Center, and will have full access to its the research and computing infrastructure. CERL will provide each Graduate Student Associate an annual research account of $800 which can be used for any reasonable research expense including conference travel. Additionally, CERL GSAs will be provided office space in the law school with necessary computing equipment and statistical software.

Applicants should submit a curriculum vitae and a memo that outlines the applicant's research agenda and plans for the upcoming academic year to the CERL Director ( email ).