Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Institute for Data, Systems, and Society
Position ID:
Position Title:
Postdoctoral Associate
Position Location:
Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States of America
Subject Area:
Appl Deadline:
2025/04/30 11:59PM
(posted 2025/03/31, listed until 2025/04/30)
(posted 2025/03/31, listed until 2025/04/30)Position Description:
*** the listing date or deadline for this position has passed and new applications are no longer accepted. ***
Position Description
The Institute for Data, Systems & Society and Social and Ethical Responsibilities of Computing (SERC), both of the MIT Schwarzman College of Computing, jointly seek to hire a Postdoctoral Fellow, beginning in Summer 2025 to lead collaborative projects on judgment and decision-making in human–AI hybrid networks and to lead an undergraduate SERC reading group.The appointment is for one year starting Summer 2025 (flexible start date), with the possibility of renewal for a second year. The SERC Postdoctoral Fellow should expect to work from Cambridge, MA, for the duration of the appointment, with some potential for travel. The position is eligible for MIT benefits.
The selected candidate will provide supervision and guidance to students and researchers while engaging in activities that support the general mission of IDSS and SERC. The Postdoctoral Fellow will also collaborate with other post docs, SERC scholars, and faculty.
About the Institute for Data, Systems, and Society
(IDSS) IDSS is an interdisciplinary Institute within the Schwarzman College of Computing at MIT, with research and academic programs focused on addressing complex societal challenges at the intersection of statistics, data science, information and decision systems, and social sciences.
About Social and Ethical Responsibilities of Computing (SERC)
The Social and Ethical Responsibilities of Computing (SERC) is facilitating the development of responsible “habits of mind and action” for those who create and deploy computing technologies and foster the creation of technologies in the public interest. Through a teaching, research and engagement framework, SERC is working to train students, encourage research to assess the broad challenges and opportunities associated with computing, and improve design, policy, implementation, and impacts. For more details about this cross-cutting program, please see our website.
Principal Duties and Responsibilities:
The SERC Fellow’s time will be allotted as such: 80% contribute to new research projects on judgment and decision-making; and 20% lead a SERC scholar reading group. There may be other responsibilities as determined by organizational needs.
Supervision Received:
The position works closely with faculty mentors, likely including Dean Eckles and/or Ali Jadbabaie. Position requires ability to advance research with minimal supervision.
Supervision Exercised:
No direct reports. May monitor the academic work of research associates and research assistants involved in specific projects. Leads a SERC scholar reading group of undergraduates.
Qualifications & Skills:
1. A PhD in a relevant field, such as mathematical psychology, economics, cognitive science, mathematics, statistics, computer science.
2. Demonstrated research experience in one or more of (a) quantitative modeling of cognition and behavior and interaction with AI, (b) statistical methodology for processes in networks, (c) empirical studies of judgment and decision-making.
3. Proven record of academic excellence, research achievement and publication that contributes to the study of the above areas.
4. Intellectual breadth and communication skills suitable for leading undergraduates in reading and research related to social and ethical responsibilities of computing.
Application Materials:
Please provide the following as compiled in one attachment:
1. Cover letter
2. Curriculum Vitae
3. Research statement
4. Three Representative publications
5. Two or more reference letters (to be submitted online by the reference writers on this site)
4. Three Representative publications
5. Two or more reference letters (to be submitted online by the reference writers on this site)
This will be a one-year appointment beginning on September 1, 2025 or a later mutually agreed upon date. A committee consisting of faculty in the Institute for Data, Systems & Society will review applications.
For full consideration, apply by April 25, 2025.
MIT is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer
Application Materials Required:
Submit the following items online at this website to complete your application:
- Cover letter
- Curriculum Vitae
- Research statement
- Three Representitive Publications
- Two or more reference letters (to be submitted online by the reference writers on this site )
And anything else requested in the position description.
Further Info: