The Attention, Perception, and EXperience (APEX lab) as part of the Center for Practical Wisdom in the Department of Psychology at the University of Chicago seeks applicants for a post-doctoral position to support psychological research in the area of language impact. This research is part of an on-going project funded by the Lily Endowment and in partnership with the Catholic Theological Union. This project aims to develop the scientific understanding of how experience with language can direct and shape our connections to others and institutions and how we perceive, understand and care about the world. Language is the cultural tool that is the foundation for much of our social interactions, so it is one main area of focus. This position has specific studies conducted in English and Spanish. We also study the processes by which we make decisions and develop social connections, and how beliefs and experience affect these. Thus, we study a wide range of psychological activities, from communication to practical decision-making in social context. (see apexlab.uchicago.edu)
Candidates are expected to have their PhD in hand by the appointment start date and have demonstrated a strong early record of conducting rigorous quantitative research, basic or applied, that has potential relevance for scientific psychology. Candidates are expected to have published psychological research, have experience with statistical analysis and modeling, and some familiarity with some form of physiological measurement such as EEG, fMRI, or peripheral physiology. Experience in computational analysis and modeling as well as fluency in English and Spanish is desirable.
Candidates should submit a cover letter describing their research interests, a CV, a writing sample consisting of a publication or manuscript, and have two letters of recommendation. The cover letter should discuss which faculty member(s) the applicant is interested in working with. Materials should be sent to the following email address: apexlabapps@uchicago.edu
Review of applications will begin on January 1th, 2025 and continue until the positions are filled or the search has closed.
The initial postdoctoral researcher appointment will be for one year with the possibility of renewal for an additional year conditional on evaluation. Normally, individuals cease to be eligible for Postdoctoral Researcher positions seven years after the award of the degree. The total duration of an individual’s postdoctoral experience may not exceed seven years, including postdoctoral work at other institutions.
Qualifications
PhD in relevant field required (neuroscience, psychology)
Experienced in advanced statistical analyses required
Advanced knowledge in relevant scientific field required
Advanced knowledge of research techniques or methods required
Knowledge of regulatory policies and procedures required
Problem-solving skills, attention to detail, organizational skills required
Ability to work independently and as part of a team required
Knowledge of Microsoft Office and analytical skills required
Experienced in EEG, fMRI datasets preferred
Experience with peripheral physiology such as heart rate variability, galvanic skin response, or pupillary dilation preferred
English and Spanish fluency preferred
About the department:
The Department of Psychology has a longstanding tradition of producing research that results in real-world impact. From local initiatives in neighborhoods surrounding the University campus to tools used by teachers in classrooms and parents at home around the world, Department faculty and students are constantly making innovations that change the lives of people everywhere. Consistently ranked among the top ten social science research universities in the world, the Division of Social Sciences is at the vanguard of inquiry and impact. Whether through the field-defining scholarship of the Chicago Schools in Sociology, Political Science, and Economics, the path-breaking impact of the first graduate international affairs program in the U.S., the creation of interdisciplinary programs in the Department of Comparative Human Development and the John U. Nef Committee on Social Thought, or many other pivotal milestones, the Division has repeatedly transformed the social sciences since its founding in 1930.
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