Cornell University, Human Centered Design
(posted 2025/11/05, updated 2025/11/04, listed until 2026/05/04)Position Description
Postdoctoral Associate,
Human Centered Design
College of Human
Ecology
Cornell University
Cornell University invites applications for a Postdoctoral
Associate to join an interdisciplinary, community-engaged research team
exploring housing, aging, accessibility, and smart housing technologies. This position spans Ithaca, NY, and Madison, WI, and
supports three interconnected projects:
- Comparative
Housing Policy Study – Cross-national analysis of aging-in-place and
accessibility policies in Australia, the UK, Germany, and the US.
- ARHAT
Implementation Study – Evaluation of the Augmented Reality Home
Assessment Tool with home health and aging service agencies in NY and
WI.
- Smart Home AR Headset Project – Rapid prototyping and community-engaged testing with housing professionals, health providers, and people with disabilities and their caregivers.
The postdoctoral researcher will collaborate with a multidisciplinary team,
contributing to design, data collection, policy analysis, prototyping, and
dissemination. Candidates with expertise in any area—policy, AR/VR tools,
community engagement, or programming—are encouraged to apply, with
opportunities to grow in other areas through collaborative mentorship and
team-based learning.
Department of Human Centered
Design
The Department of Human Centered Design (HCD https://www.human.cornell.edu/hcd) enriches
people and their environments through transdisciplinary research, teaching, and
outreach. We integrate analog and digital knowledge, tools, methods and
creative processes from design, humanities, social sciences, and physical
sciences to address real-world challenges. Faculty and students conceptualize,
prototype and evaluate products and processes that enhance human potential,
well-being and community. Our graduates possess the tools, skills and
strategies to become industry leaders, visionary academics and pioneering
practitioners.
As part of Cornell University,
a world-class research university and a partner of the State University of New
York, HCD faculty have the knowledge and resources to cross fields and
disciplines to enhance human thriving. We produce cutting edge knowledge and
are deeply committed to using that knowledge to make a difference in people’s
lives. The department has 32 faculty members, some with dual appointments that
enrich our transdisciplinary approach to design.
Located in Ithaca, NY, the
department has state-of-the-art equipment and facilities including studios,
labs, two fabrication studios, a design materials library, 3D body scanner and
multiple gallery spaces. It is a priority in department and college to enhance
student, faculty and alumni connections to New York City.
The department currently has 78 graduate students in eight distinct graduate programs: M.A. in Apparel Design, Ph.D. in Apparel Design, M.A. in Design, M.S. in Fiber Science, Ph.D. in Fiber Science, M.S. in Human Environment Relations, Ph.D. in Human Behavior and Design, and MPS in Human Ecology. HCD has an enrollment of 187 undergraduate students and three different majors: Design + Environmental Analysis, Fashion Design and Fashion Design Management, and Fiber Science. The department also offers five minors: Design + Environmental Analysis, Design Innovation & Strategy, Fashion Studies, Fiber Science, and Healthy Futures. Our global student body and esteemed faculty are an engaging and diverse academic community.
Key Responsibilities
- Conduct cross-national policy and document analysis.
- Support community-engaged research and co-design sessions with diverse stakeholders.
- Assist with rapid prototyping and evaluation of AR-based smart home tools.
- Collect and analyze qualitative and quantitative data (NVivo, SPSS, REDCa).
- Contribute to manuscripts, conference presentations, and grant reports.
- Mentor graduate and undergraduate research assistants.
Ph.D. in Human-Centered Design, Public Health, Occupational Therapy, Urban Planning, Architecture, Computer Science, or related fields (completed by start date).
- Experience
in qualitative, mixed-methods, or applied research.
- Strong
written and verbal communication skills.
Preferred Qualifications
- Knowledge of aging-in-place, accessibility, or universal design.
- Experience with AR/VR tools, programming/coding (Python, R, Unity, or JavaScript), or community-engaged research.
- Experience working in interdisciplinary teams and multi-site projects.
Terms and Compensation
- Full-time (100% FTE) for 1 year, renewable for a second year.
- Competitive salary with benefits through Cornell University.
- Based in Ithaca, NY, with periodic travel to Madison, WI.
- Starting Date: Preferrable: 1/1/26 - Negotiable
Application Instructions: To Apply, click the link: https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/31097
For full consideration, please submit all requested documentation as a separate PDF file in AJO.
Application Deadline: December 1, 2025.
Applications received after December 1st will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
Questions? Contact Dr. Jung-hye Shin at
js163@cornell.edu
For specific questions about the position or application process, please contact the Recruiter listed in the job posting or for general questions email mycareer@cornell.edu.
If you require an accommodation for a disability in order to complete an employment application or to participate in the recruiting process, you are encouraged to contact Cornell Office of Civil Rights at voice (607) 255-2242, or email at accommodations@cornell.edu.
Applicants that do not have internet access are encouraged to visit your local library, or local Department of Labor.
Please read the required Notice to Applicants statement by clicking here. This notice contains important information about applying for a position at Cornell as well as some of your rights and responsibilities as an applicant.
EEO Statement:
Cornell welcomes students, faculty, and staff with diverse backgrounds from across the globe to pursue world-class education and career opportunities, to further the founding principle of “... any person ... any study.” No person shall be denied employment on the basis of any legally protected status or subjected to prohibited discrimination involving, but not limited to, such factors as race, ethnic or national origin, citizenship and immigration status, color, sex, pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions, age, creed, religion, actual or perceived disability (including persons associated with such a person), arrest and/or conviction record, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender expression and/or identity, an individual’s genetic information, domestic violence victim status, familial status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
Cornell University embraces diversity in its workforce and seeks job candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff of all identities and backgrounds. We hire based on merit, and encourage people from historically underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply. Consistent with federal law, Cornell engages in affirmative action in employment for qualified protected veterans as defined in the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRRA) and qualified individuals with disabilities under Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations in accordance with applicable law.
Pay Ranges:
The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined considering the following criteria:
- Prior relevant work or industry experience.
- Education level to the extent education is relevant to the position.
- Academic Discipline (faculty pay ranges reflects 9-month annual salary)
- Unique applicable skills.
Application Materials Required:
- Cover letter
- Curriculum Vitae
- One representative writing sample, single-authored or lead-authored paper is strongly preferred
- Three reference letters (to be submitted online by the reference writers on this site )
Further Info: