[Air-L] Penn postdoc position in computational methods and group identity

[Deen Freelon]

Hi all,

I'm looking for a postdoc--see position description below. Please feel 
free to fwd it to anyone you think might be interested. Thanks, //DEEN

----------------

Postdoctoral researcher in communication, group identity, and 
computational methods



The successful candidate for this position will work in the Annenberg 
School for Communication under the supervision of Dr. Deen Freelon. A 
recent hire at Annenberg, Freelon is in the process of starting a new 
lab, and this postdoc will play a crucial role in helping him do so. The 
unifying idea of the new lab’s work is that many facets of group 
identity—including race, gender, sexuality, religion, nationality, and 
others—have historically been neglected as potential factors in 
co-determining communication patterns and outcomes. Quantification of 
such characteristics must be done carefully to maximize construct 
validity and minimize harm and exclusion. (The term “group identity” is 
used broadly and without reference to any particular theoretical 
tradition.) Applicants with strong interests in these and related issues 
are encouraged to apply, as are those with experience analyzing 
under-studied media types including podcasts, images, and video.



Roughly half this individual’s time will be spent working on Freelon’s 
projects, while the other half will be devoted to projects initiated 
independently and with other research groups. The position is designed 
to allow a highly motivated researcher to build a strong CV under the 
mentorship of a longtime innovator in political communication and 
computational social science. Extension of the position to a second year 
(if desired) will depend on effective performance in the first.



  Desired qualifications:



·        PhD in communication or related field demonstrating expertise 
in the following areas:

o   Communication across or relating to lines of group identity (e.g. 
race/ethnicity, gender, sexuality, ideology, religion, nationality, 
etc.)

o   Computational methods

o   AI as a social science method

o   Development of open-source software tools for research

o   Experience analyzing non-textual media types quantitatively, 
including video, images, and audio

o   Political communication

·        Experience leading self-directed research and collaborating 
with a team under the supervision of a PI

·        Experience with Python, R, and/or other relevant programming 
languages

·        A strong publication record

Experience presenting data in compelling and accessible ways
Interest in establishing professional connections with theoretically and 
methodologically diverse collaborators
First-year postdoctoral researchers will receive a minimum stipend of 
$66,300 commensurate with prior postdoctoral experience and serve in a 
12-month appointment to start October 15, 2024. Postdoctoral fellows 
will receive a taxable relocation allowance of up to $1,000 for domestic 
relocations and up to $2,000 for international relocations as well as 
$3,000 in travel/research expenses. Postdocs and their dependents are 
eligible for health insurance under the University of Pennsylvania’s 
plans outlined here: 
https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/benefits-pay/postdoctoral-researchers-and-fellows.



All postdoctoral fellows must submit documentation to demonstrate 
eligibility to work in the United States. Non-US citizens selected for 
this position will be required to apply for an appropriate US visa. It 
is expected that the fellow will be present on campus in Philadelphia, 
where they will receive a workspace



Submitting Your Application



Eligibility:

You must have a PhD or receive your PhD by September 30, 2024.



Cover Page:

Include your name and contact information, dissertation supervisor name 
and contact information, defense date (if degree not awarded), and a 
brief statement of interest (500 words or fewer) explaining 1) your 
qualifications and interest in the position, as well as 2) details about 
specific self-directed research projects you would pursue if selected.



CV:

List degrees, peer-reviewed publications, academic non-peer-reviewed 
publications, public scholarship, invited talks, conference papers, 
other relevant qualifications, specific research, language, and 
technical skills.



Up to two publications (not to exceed 50 pages in total)



Timeline:

All materials should be sent as a single PDF document in the order 
listed above to dfreelon at upenn.edu by August 15, 2024. Please use the 
subject line “Group identity postdoc.” Applications will be reviewed on 
a rolling basis until the position is filled.



Additional Information:

If you have additional questions, please email dfreelon at upenn.edu.



The University of Pennsylvania is an affirmative action/equal 
opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive 
consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on 
the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender 
identity, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, 
disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by 
law. For more information, go to 
http://www.upenn.edu/affirm-action/eoaa.html .




***********************
Deen Freelon, Ph.D.
Presidential Professor of Communication
Annenberg School for Communication
University of Pennsylvania
Senior researcher, Center for Information, Technology, and Public Life 
(CITAP) <https://citap.unc.edu>
dfreelon.org | github <https://github.com/dfreelon> | twitter 
<https://twitter.com/dfreelon>
Click here to schedule a Zoom meeting with me 
<https://calendly.com/dfreelon/>