Career Center

The University of Washington Center for an Informed Public (CIP) invites applications for a Postdoctoral Scholar to work on a recent National Science Foundation funded project titled "Building Rapid-Response Frameworks to Support Multi-Stakeholder Collaborations for Mitigating Online Disinformation".  The postdoctoral scholar will be appointed in the Department of Human Centered Design and Engineering, College of Engineering at the University of Washington.

In collaboration with project PIs Drs. Kate Starbird, Emma Spiro, and Jevin West, the postdoctoral scholar will lead an ethnographic study of a multi-stakeholder, data science collaboration working to mitigate online mis- and disinformation. The work will include participant observation in collaborative data analysis as well as interviews with diverse stakeholders.

One goal of the broader project is to develop frameworks for building and deploying multi-stakeholder collaborations for "rapid response" to disinformation. This specific study (that the postdoctoral scholar will lead) aims to better understand some of the complexity of doing this kind of data science — i.e. the rapid analysis of "big" social data — in a highly collaborative and high-stakes environment. We are seeking someone with a strong qualitative/ethnographic background as well as some familiarity with analyzing social media data and with the context of online mis- and disinformation.

The Postdoctoral Scholar will also have the opportunity to engage with researchers at the Center for an Informed Public (CIP). The CIP is a multidisciplinary institute with a core mission aiming to resist strategic misinformation, promote an informed society, and strengthen democratic discourse. The CIP offers an exceptional opportunity to work closely with the Center's faculty, including sociologists, information scientists, computer scientists, and policy experts. Located in Seattle, the position also offers opportunities for engagement with scholars and industry leaders in the area.

The position will begin as early as January 2022 and offer an initial two-year term with the possibility for a third-year renewal.

You can read more about the CIP at https://ischool.uw.edu/research/center-informed-public

Postdoctoral Scholars are represented by UAW 4121 and are subject to the collective bargaining agreement, unless agreed exclusion criteria apply. For more information, please visit the University of Washington Labor Relations website. 

• Applicants must have a PhD, JD, EdD, or foreign equivalent by date of appointment. 
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• An ability to work in a highly collaborative and interdisciplinary environment, including demonstrated success in working with diverse populations
• Prior experience with ethnographic research methods

We will consider candidates who have accepted tenure-track positions at another institution but with the ability to defer their start date.

• A cover letter describing your interest in this position; and explicitly addressing past, present, and/or future (planned) contributions to equity, diversity, and inclusion (e.g., contributions that center, address, or support under-represented groups such as women, minorities, people with disabilities, people of lower socio-economic status, among others)
• Curriculum vitae, including names and contact information of three references 
• Two published papers, or equivalent writing samples that demonstrate expertise and fit for the position
• A brief research statement that outlines your research achievements and goals
• A link to a professional webpage, Google scholar page (if applicable), and github profile (if applicable).

Applications will be accepted until filled. Review of applications will begin immediately. Interested candidates should contact Kate Starbird at kstarbi@uw.edu 
 

University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, gender identity or expression, age, disability, or protected veteran status.

Commitment to Diversity

The University of Washington is committed to building diversity among its faculty, librarian, staff, and student communities, and articulates that commitment in the UW Diversity Blueprint (http://www.washington.edu/diversity/diversity-blueprint/). Additionally, the University's Faculty Code recognizes faculty efforts in research, teaching and/or service that address diversity and equal opportunity as important contributions to a faculty member's academic profile and responsibilities (https://www.washington.edu/admin/rules/policies/FCG/FCCH24.html#2432).

COVID-19 Vaccine Requirements and Information

Under Washington State Governor Inslee's Proclamation 21-14.1, University of Washington (UW) workers must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and provide proof thereof, or receive a UW-approved medical or religious exemption. This requirement will be a condition of any offer associated with this recruitment. For more information, please visit https://www.washington.edu/coronavirus/vaccination-requirement/.