Postdoctoral Research Associate in the Social Science of Human Values in Princeton, New Jersey at Princeton University

The Program in Cognitive Science and the University Center for Human Values invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate in the Social Science of Human Values for a position expected to start in July 2027.

The successful candidate will be based in the laboratory of Dr. Molly Crockett in the Department of Psychology. We aim to support a highly promising scholar with a background in the quantitative social sciences or a related discipline, including psychology, computational social science, cognitive science, or empirically informed/experimental philosophy. The scholar's research agenda should address a topic that engages with the social science of human values, such as the role of moral values in decision making, the role of epistemic values in scientific practice, or the expression of values in collective behaviors (e.g., in online social networks). The proposed research is expected to yield both theoretical and empirical publications. The candidate will be appointed in the Program in Cognitive Science and will be expected to contribute to programs of the University Center for Human Values (UCHV). This contribution may be fulfilled by organizing a workshop, mentoring PhD students, or service to the Future Values Initiative, subject to approval of the Initiative and UCHV directors. The postdoc will be expected to participate in a year-long research seminar for visiting fellows and UCHV faculty, as well as a year-long seminar for UCHV’s cohort of Postdoctoral Associates. (Each of these seminars meets roughly every other week.) The postdoc will also be expected to regularly attend talks, panels, and conferences sponsored by UCHV.

The term of appointment is one year, expected to begin July 1, 2027, with the possibility of renewal for up to two additional years subject to satisfactory performance, continued funding and meeting all requirements. Appointment will be made to the rank of Postdoctoral Research Associate.

The work location for this position is in-person on campus at Princeton University.

Applications are welcome from candidates who have or expect to have a Ph.D. by the start date. Applicants should have no more than two years of post-Ph.D. research experience by the start of the appointment.

Applications will be evaluated based on the applicant's previous accomplishments, the promise of the proposed research project in the cognitive science of values, and the applicant's ability to contribute to the intellectual life of the University Center for Human Values, and Dr. Crockett’s laboratory group.

These positions are not eligible for sponsorship of an H-1B visa requiring consular processing; other visa sponsorships (including H-1B visas not requiring consular processing) may be available, as appropriate.

Candidates must submit an online application in Interfolio.

A complete application will require:

1. A current curriculum vitae;
2. A brief research proposal (not to exceed 1,000 words including the title), describing the kind of research that the candidate would plan to pursue in this position;
3. A representative preprint or publication;
4. Contact information for three referees. Referees will be contacted directly. We will solicit letters of reference from shortlisted candidates.

Materials should be submitted online by November 20, 2026, 11:59 pm, EST for full consideration. We will continue to accept applications until the position is filled.

We expect to announce decisions in February 2027. This position is subject to the University’s background check policy.