Skip to main content

Cornell University, Department of Communication

Position ID:
Cornell-Department of Communication-PDSM [#22563, WDR-00033194]
Position Title: 
Postdoctoral Associate
Position Type:
Postdoctoral
Position Location:
Ithaca, New York 14853, United States of America
Subject Area: 
Communications / Communication Technology
Appl Deadline:
2022/10/31 11:59PMhelp popup finished (2022/09/01, finished 2022/12/19, listed until 2022/10/31)
Position Description:
  URMs  

*** this position has been closed and new applications are no longer accepted. ***

Position Description

College of Agriculture & Life Sciences
Department of Communication
Postdoctoral Associate Position 

Summary: 
The Cornell Social Media Lab, in the Department of Communication at Cornell University, is seeking a full-time Postdoctoral Associate to participate in the inter-university research at the intersection of educational technology, instructional design, gerontology, and human-computer interaction. The postdoc will work on the development of technologies, games, and content for educational interventions as a part of the DART (Deception Awareness and Resilience Training) project. DART aims to equip users with the ability to recognize online deception and the motivations behind its various forms, and introduce them to ways in which to avoid or mitigate its harms. The initial target population is older adults (ages 65+), the disproportionate targets of online exploitation, manipulation, and fraud. 

This position is a full-time academic position that will be renewable for an additional year. The postdoctoral associate will be part of an interdisciplinary project team of researchers and students in the Cornell Social Media Lab, University of Illinois Urbana Champaign Department of Information Sciences, University at Buffalo SUNY Computer Science & Engineering and Humanities Institute, Lehigh University College of Engineering and Applied Science, and Clemson University Departments of Communication and Psychology. 

The postdoc will be based in the Cornell Social Media Lab and will have access to state-of-the-art research facilities and a collaborative community of scholars interested in social behaviors and information and communication technologies. The Postdoctoral Associate will take a lead role in developing technologies and educational content for and conducting research studies on Social Media TestDrive. The postdoc will coordinate and carry out the proposed instructional design, user experience, and evaluation research, as well as analyze the data to prepare written reports for publication in conference proceedings and peer-reviewed journals. They will also mentor graduate and undergraduate students, and take an active role in writing grant proposals.

Duties and Responsibilities:
Design and development of digitally-mediated educational interventions (40%).
  • Design and help develop systems for digital literacy educational interventions.
  • Design and help develop new features to enhance the DART platform.
  • Develop digital literacy education content for DART modules and versions targeted at particular populations.
Conducting research studies (20%)
  • Establish goals and benchmarks for an outcome evaluation of DART.
  • Conduct and participate in a multisite formative evaluation of DART, using surveys, focus groups, and one-on one interviews. 
  • Conduct exploratory studies to assess digital literacy education needs of diverse populations.
Writing, publishing, and presenting research findings (20%)
  • Analyze data and write research papers for publication.
  • Present results of research at academic conferences.
  • Facilitate workshops, webinars, talks and other outreach activities to promote DART and digital literacy education.
Project management (20%)
  • Manage partnerships and collaborations (e.g., funders, educational partners, users, other outreach, and education groups) to improve and promote DART.
  • Help coordinate project members and tasks across the different sites and universities.
  • Help identify grant funding opportunities and assist in preparing grant proposals and reports for submission.
Requirements:
  • Ph.D. in educational technology, information science, communication or related fields (e.g. psychology, human development, computer science, etc.) is required.
  • Research experience in instructional design, educational technology, or digital literacy is required.
  • A strong background in quantitative and qualitative research, including methods of analysis and statistics in required.
  • Demonstrated ability to carry out independent research and a record of communicating research results via publications and presentations is necessary.
  • Interest and experience designing inclusive technologies and educational interventions for diverse populations is required.
  • Previous background and/or experience in gerontology is highly desired.
  • Enthusiasm for, and ideally experience with, working in interdisciplinary teams with managerial responsibilities is desired.
  • Technical skills and experience in building web and/or smartphone-based applications are desired.
  • Willingness to mentor undergraduate and graduate research assistants and participate in the collaborative, interdisciplinary research environment at Cornell University.
Supervision Exercised:
The Postdoctoral Associate will also mentor graduate and undergraduate students in the departments associated with the project, assigning and coordinating tasks, monitoring progress, and providing support in necessary areas.

Application:
Applicants should submit a Cover Letter, CV, Statement of Research Background and Interests, and Contact Information for three people who can provide professional references. Additionally, a Statement of contribution to diversity, equity and inclusion. The position will remain open until the position is filled. Preference will be given to those whose applications are submitted by October 14, 2022.

All components of the application must be submitted through this application portal: https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/22563                        


Diversity and Inclusion are a part of Cornell University’s heritage. We are a recognized employer and educator valuing AA/EEO, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities.


Application Materials Required:

Submit the following items online at this website to complete your application:








Employment Assistance: 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 University's Department of Inclusion and Workforce Diversity at voice (607) 255-3976, fax (607) 255-7481, or email at owdi@cornell.edu. For general questions about the position or the application process, please contact the Recruiter listed in the job posting. Applicants that do not have internet access are encouraged to visit your local library, or local Department of Labor. You may also visit the office of Workforce Recruitment and Retention Monday - Friday between the hours of 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. to use a dedicated workstation to complete an online application. Notice to Applicants: 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.


Cornell is an equal opportunity employer. For more information click here.



Application Materials Required:
Submit the following items online at this website to complete your application:
  • Cover letter
  • Curriculum Vitae
  • Research statement
  • Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Statement
  • Three references (actual letters acceptable but not required, just names and email addresses help popup)
And anything else requested in the position description.

Further Info:
http://communication.cals.cornell.edu/
email address
 
Cornell University
479 Mann Library Building
237 Mann Drive
Ithaca, NY 14853