Academic Job Description

Department of Communication

Postdoctoral Associate

The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) is a pioneer of purpose-driven science and Cornell University’s second largest college. We work across disciplines to tackle the challenges of our time through world-renowned research, education, and outreach. The questions we probe and the answers we seek focus on three overlapping concerns: We believe that achieving next-generation scientific breakthroughs requires an understanding of the world’s complex, interlocking systems. We believe that access to nutritious food and a healthy environment is a fundamental human right. We believe that ensuring a prosperous global future depends on the ability to support local people and communities everywhere. By working in and across multiple scientific areas, CALS can address challenges and opportunities of the greatest relevance, here in New York, across the nation, and around the world.

Position Function

We are looking for a Postdoctoral Associate to join our interdisciplinary, NSF-funded project on deterring objectionable speech online. The project is a joint collaboration between the Department of Communication, the Department of Information Science, and the Cornell Social Media Lab and is funded by the National Science Foundation. The full-time Postdoctoral Associate will participate in research on the effectiveness of real-world interventions to deter objectionable speech. Additionally, the Postdoctoral Associate will design field experiments that encourage users to take effective and pro-social action when they see speech, such as harassment, hate speech, or misinformation, that they find inappropriate or objectionable.

We are especially interested in candidates with a track record of conducting experimental interventions and computational work in real-world social media contexts. Experience using generative AI in experiments is a plus, but not required. To date, our research team has developed substantial insights from observing objection dynamics in the real world and testing different intervention strategies in the simulated social media platform Truman. The next step is to try these, and other ideas, in the real world. The Postdoctoral Associate will be expected to lead the design and the implementation of these experiments informed by both their own insights as well as the team’s prior findings.

This is a one-year full-time academic position with the opportunity for renewal for another 6–12 months. The appointment will begin as soon as a suitable candidate is identified, with flexibility to accommodate the candidate’s needs. The Postdoctoral Associate will be part of an interdisciplinary project team of researchers and students in the Department of Communication and the Department of Information Science. The ideal candidate will be proactive, resourceful, highly engaged, and passionate about digital learning and social media literacy.

The position will be based in the Department of Communication with access to desk space in the Department of Information Science. They 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.

Anticipated Division of Time

30% Design and development of randomized intervention experiments

• Develop intervention content to test for particular populations and online contexts.
• Design and help develop systems for interventions to encourage pro-social action in online contexts.

30% Conducting research studies

• Establish goals and benchmarks for an evaluation of specific intervention approaches.
• Conduct exploratory studies to assess intervention approaches with diverse populations, such as youth from low-income households and older adults.

30% Writing, publishing, and presenting research findings

• Analyze data and write research papers for publication.
• Present results of research at academic conferences.
• Facilitate workshops, webinars, talks, and other outreach promotional activities.

10% Project management

• Help coordinate project members and tasks across different sites and universities.
• Help identify grant funding opportunities and assist in preparing grant proposals and reports for submission.

Requirements

Applicants must have a Ph.D. in communication, information science, computer science, or related fields (e.g., psychology, human development, education, etc.), research experience in experimental design and the conduct of experiments that test real-world interventions required. A strong background in quantitative and qualitative research, including methods of analysis and statistics is required. Enthusiasm for, and ideally experience with, working in interdisciplinary teams with managerial responsibilities is desired.

Supervision Exercised

Supervision of support staff, as well as graduate and undergraduate students involved in research.

To apply:

Please apply via Academic Jobs Online (https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/27892).

Qualified candidates should submit a 1) cover letter describing their research and interest in the position, 2) curriculum vitae, 3) names and contact information for three professional references, 4) two writing samples (e.g., published manuscript and/or dissertation chapter), and 5) statement supporting diverse communities (this can be a stand-alone document (preferred) or the information can be embedded in other parts of the application materials) outlining how, through research, teaching, service, mentoring, extension, and/or outreach, the candidate has and will contribute to support Cornell’s historical mission of “any person … any study,” via the website. 

Applications will be reviewed as received, continuing until a suitable applicant is identified.

The CALS hiring rate for this position is $61,008.

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Life. Changing.

Cornell University is an innovative Ivy League and Land-grant university and a great place to work. Our inclusive community of scholars, students, and staff impart an uncommon sense of larger purpose and contribute creative ideas to further the university's mission of teaching, discovery, and engagement.

Cornell’s regional and global presence includes state-wide Cornell Cooperative Extension programs and offices in all counties and boroughs, global partnerships with institutions and communities engaged in life-changing research and education, the medical college’s campuses on the Upper East Side of Manhattan and Doha, Qatar, and the Cornell Tech campus on Roosevelt Island in the heart of New York City.

Diversity and Inclusion are a part of Cornell University’s heritage. We are a recognized employer and educator valuing AA/EEO, and we do not tolerate discrimination based on any protected characteristic, including race, ethnic or national origin, citizenship and immigration status, color, sex/gender, 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. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations in accordance with applicable law. 

Cornell University embraces diversity and seeks candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff to all identities and backgrounds. We strongly encourage individuals from underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply.