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

The Program in Cognitive Science, in collaboration with the University Center for Human Values, invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate in the Cognitive Science of Values for a position expected to start in September of 2027.

The successful candidate will be based in the laboratory of Dr. Tania Lombrozo in the Department of Psychology. We aim to support a highly promising scholar with a background in cognitive science or a related discipline, such as psychology or empirically informed/experimental philosophy. The scholar's research agenda should address a topic that engages with both cognitive science and values, such as the role of moral values in decision making or the role of epistemic values in belief revision. The proposed research is expected to yield both theoretical and empirical publications. Candidates will be expected to contribute the equivalent of one course each year to the University Center and/or the Department. This contribution may be fulfilled by teaching a course on a topic related to cognitive science of values ( submject to sufficient enrollments and approval by Project Directors, the Department Chair or Chairs, and the Office of the Dean of the Faculty) or service to the Project or Center of some other sort, subject to approval of the Project and Center Directors. If teaching a semester-long course, the successful candidate would carry the additional part-time rank of Lecturer. The postdoc will be expected to participate in a year-long research seminar for visiting fellows and Center faculty, as well as a year-long seminar for the Center’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 the Center.

The candidate will be appointed in the Program in Cognitive Science and will be invited to participate in programs of the University Center for Human Values.

Applications are welcome from candidates who have or expect to have a Ph.D. by the appointment start date. Applicants should not have more than two years of postdoctoral experience by the start of 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 Program in Cognitive Science, the University Center for Human Values, and Dr. Lombrozo's laboratory group.

Term of Appointment

The term of appointment is one year, expected to begin on September 1, 2027, with the possibility of renewal for up to two additional years subject to satisfactory performance, eligibility, meeting all requirements, and continued funding. 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.

These positions are not eligible for sponsorship of an H1B 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 manuscript or publication;
4. Contact information for three referees. Referees will be contacted directly. Materials should be submitted online by December 7, 2026, 11:59 pm, EST for full consideration. Letters of reference are to be submitted by the end of the business day on December 11, 2026, 5:00PM EST. We will continue to accept applications until the position is filled.

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