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Title Postdoctoral Fellow in Psychology

School Faculty of Arts and Sciences

Department/Area Psychology

Position Description

Dr. Ashwini Ashokkumar’s lab at the Department of Psychology at Harvard University invites applications for a Postdoctoral Fellow position to start in Fall 2025. The lab conducts research related to identity processes, language, group dynamics, and political psychology, using an array of methods including natural language processing and experiments. This is a two-year position (one-year contract renewable based on performance).

The primary criterion for acceptance is research excellence and fit with the lab’s focus. Dr. Ashokkumar’s lab investigates questions such as: how do people’s identities get expressed in their language? What psychological processes shape public expression of opinions (versus self-censorship), and how do such behaviors (or lack thereof) shape identity? What social and psychological processes stifle heterogeneous perspectives in discourse? How do biased narratives in public discourse sustain intergroup conflict and inequality? How do large-scale upheavals shape our collective identities and narratives? More information is available here (https://www.ashwinia.com/research) .

We especially encourage candidates with proven experience in applying computational and experimental methods to social scientific questions – including aptitude in working with large-scale datasets and text-analysis methods. Most of all, we value curiosity and passion about topics studied in the lab and a collaborative spirit!

Responsibilities:

+ Conduct research in social and political psychology, broadly construed, in collaboration with Dr. Ashokkumar and other lab members.

+ Publish and present research findings in high-quality scientific journals and conferences.

+ Contribute to the preparation of research/grant proposals.

+ Participate in the lab community and contribute to mentorship of junior colleagues.

The health of our community is a priority for Harvard University. With that in mind, we strongly encourage all employees to be up to date on CDC -recommended vaccines.

Please note: This position is contingent upon funding and satisfactory performance.

Basic Qualifications

PhD in social psychology or related field required by the appointment start date

Additional Qualifications

+ Demonstrated record of research.

+ Strong written and oral communication skills.

+ Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Special Instructions

Application Process Interested candidates should submit the following:

+ A cover letter briefly describing fit with the lab’s research

+ CV

+ A research statement

+ Two research papers

+ Two to three references’ names and contact information

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Applications received by April 30 will receive full consideration.

For more information, please visit our lab website or contact the PI directly: [email protected]

Contact Information

Ashwini Ashokkumar

33 Kirkland Street

William James Hall

Cambridge, MA 02138

Contact Email [email protected]

Equal Opportunity Employer

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions or any other characteristic protected by law.

Minimum Number of References Required 0

Maximum Number of References Allowed 3

Keywords

psychology, social psychology, identity processes, language, group dynamics, political psychology, natural language processing

Supplemental Questions