Postdoctoral Scholar - Building the Group Identity Concept from the Ground Up
Position overview
Position title: Postdoctoral ScholarApplication Window
Open date: May 1, 2023
Most recent review date: Thursday, Jun 1, 2023 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications received after this date will be reviewed by the search committee if the position has not yet been filled.
Final date: Sunday, Mar 31, 2024 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.
Position description
We are seeking a postdoctoral researcher to work on a collaborative NSF-funded project between Paul Smaldino (https://smaldino.com/) at UC Merced and Adrian Bell (https://adrianbell.wordpress.com/) at the University of Utah, titled “Building the Group Identity Concept from the Ground Up.” It is a well-established but still poorly understood aspect of human existence that our identity, behavior, and cognition are fundamentally entangled with the groups to which we belong. This project aims to develop integrated formal theory and empirical methods to infer the social mechanisms behind identity formation, while considering the group concept in the context of today’s modern complexities.
The postdoc will be based in the Smaldino Lab at UC Merced, and will primarily be involved in the development and analysis of theoretically-motivated mathematical and agent-based models. They will also coordinate with the broader research team to integrate the models with empirical data to be collected among the Pacific Islander diaspora in Utah, and to analyze data in light of model predictions.
Candidates must have a PhD in a relevant field—including (but not limited to) anthropology, biology, cognitive science, psychology, sociology, computer science, and applied mathematics—by the appointment start date. Competitive candidates will have experience with agent-based modeling, outstanding computational, analytical, and communication skills, and familiarity with theories and methods related to cultural evolution, human behavioral ecology, and complex systems. Ideal candidates will also have experience with model-driven data analysis and enthusiasm for deeply interdisciplinary research.
Start date is flexible within Fall 2023. Funding is currently available for two years. Salary is based on the University of California Academic Salary Scales. This is a full-time, two-year appointment.
As a condition of employment, you will be required to comply with the University of California SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) Vaccination Program Policy: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/5000695/SARS-CoV-2_Covid-19. All Covered Individuals under the policy must provide proof of Full Vaccination or, if applicable, submit a request for Exception (based on Medical Exemption, Disability, and/or Religious Objection) or Deferral (based on pregnancy) no later than the applicable deadline. New University of California employees should refer to Appendix F, Section II.C. of the policy for applicable deadlines. (Capitalized terms in this paragraph are defined in the policy.) Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements
Qualifications
Candidates must have a PhD in a relevant field—including (but not limited to) anthropology, biology, cognitive science, psychology, sociology, computer science, and applied mathematics—by the appointment start date.
Competitive candidates will have experience with agent-based modeling, outstanding computational, analytical, and communication skills, and familiarity with theories and methods related to cultural evolution, human behavioral ecology, and complex systems. Ideal candidates will also have experience with model-driven data analysis and enthusiasm for deeply interdisciplinary research.
Application Requirements
Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
Cover Letter
Statement on Contributions to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion - Statement on your contributions to equity, diversity, and inclusion, including information about your understanding of these topics, your record of activities to date, and your specific plans and goals for advancing equity and inclusion. Please review the UC Merced Diversity Statement Guidelines and UC’s Commitment to Diversity
- 3 required (contact information only)
Provide a list of 3 references with names and contact information
Help contact: rsmith7@ucmerced.edu
Campus Information
The University of California is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and invites applications from all qualified applicants, including women, minorities, veterans, and individual with disabilities, who will enrich the teaching, research and public service missions of the university. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age or protected veteran status. For the complete University of California nondiscrimination and affirmative action policy, see: UC Nondiscrimination & Affirmative Action Policy (https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4000376/DiscHarassAffirmAction).
The University of California, Merced, is the newest of the University of California system’s 10 campuses. With over 9,000 undergraduate and graduate students (https://www.ucmerced.edu/fast-facts), UC Merced provides outstanding educational opportunities to highly qualified students from the heart of California, the nation, and abroad. The campus has special connections to nearby Yosemite National Park; is on the cutting edge of sustainability in construction and design; and supports the economic development of Central California. The Merced 2020 Project doubled the physical capacity of the campus, and enhanced academic distinction, student success, and research excellence (https://merced2020.ucmerced.edu/).
UC Merced is a smoke & tobacco free campus (https://smokefree.ucmerced.edu/).