Call for Applications: Postdoctoral Researcher in Communication, Group Identity, and Computational Methods

Annenberg Presidential Professor Deen Freelon invites applications to fill one postdoctoral fellowship position for the 2024-2025 academic year. The position may be extended to a second year pending strong performance in the first. Applications are welcomed from scholars who have received their Ph.D. by September 30, 2024.

Position Summary

The successful candidate for this position will work in the Annenberg School for Communication under the supervision of Presidential Professor 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:

• Ph.D. in Communication or related field demonstrating expertise in the following areas:
  • Communication across or relating to lines of group identity (e.g. race/ethnicity, gender, sexuality, ideology, religion, nationality, etc.)
  • Computational methods
  • AI as a social science method
  • Development of open-source software tools for research
  • Experience analyzing non-textual media types quantitatively, including video, images, and audio 
  • 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.

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 Ph.D. or receive your Ph.D. 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@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@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.