The Social Action Lab and the Division of Communication Science at the Annenberg Public Policy Center at the University of Pennsylvania invite applications for postdoctoral researchers to conduct basic research and translate behavioral science into policy-relevant research. Our work addresses decision-making, attitudes and persuasion, social cognition, self-regulation, and behavior change. The position is intended for researchers interested in advancing basic behavioral science, either on its own or in combination with applied and policy-relevant research. Candidates seeking to conduct exclusively applied research without a basic-science component would not be a good fit for the position.
The ideal candidate will have a strong record of research productivity and demonstrated ability to write research papers and reports; expertise in advanced quantitative methods; outstanding organizational and time-management skills; excellent written and oral communication skills; and an interest in collaborating with an energetic interdisciplinary team. Because the lab operates at a fast pace and often manages multiple projects simultaneously, candidates should be comfortable working to deadlines, responding promptly to collaborators, and moving projects forward while maintaining high standards of rigor and quality. A Ph.D. in psychology is required.
Appointments will be through the Department of Psychology and the Annenberg Public Policy Center (APPC). The secondary appointment at APPC carries a special endowed postdoctoral researcher title.
The position is a 12-month appointment beginning September 1, 2027, with compensation commensurate with prior postdoctoral experience and consistent with University of Pennsylvania postdoctoral compensation requirements. The appointment is expected to be renewable for multiple years with satisfactory performance, subject to University limits on postdoctoral appointments.
The group provides a fast-moving, highly collaborative research environment in which new ideas can develop quickly into studies, collaborations, and publications. Postdoctoral researchers will work on cutting-edge questions in psychology behavioral science with access to existing datasets, substantial resources for new data collection, and collaborators across disciplines and institutions. They will have opportunities to help conceptualize, design, and coordinate large-scale studies and multi-investigator collaborations and to participate in broader intellectual activities such as organizing conferences and workshops and developing edited volumes and other collaborative scholarly projects.
The postdoctoral program is built around active collaboration. Postdoctoral researchers are expected to develop new work with our investigators rather than operate primarily as independent researchers. The appointment is also not designed to provide protected time for completing a pipeline of projects initiated during graduate school or previous positions. Although researchers may naturally continue some prior collaborations, their principal research effort during the appointment should be devoted to developing and leading new collaborative work at Penn.
The position is designed to support an active and highly productive research program. Postdoctoral researchers will generally be expected to lead approximately two papers per year in collaboration with the lab, drawing from a combination of existing datasets, new data collection, and theoretical or review work. The position provides outstanding research and travel support, opportunities to participate in grant writing and large-scale collaborations, and close mentorship in developing, executing, and publishing research.
A central goal of the postdoctoral experience is to help researchers develop a distinctive research program and successfully launch the next stage of their careers. The Social Action Lab has a long record of highly productive postdoctoral training, with former postdoctoral researchers going on to faculty and research positions at leading universities and research organizations. Mentorship extends beyond individual projects to developing a coherent research identity, building collaborations, strengthening grant-writing and leadership skills, designing and managing ambitious research programs, and preparing for the academic job market and other research careers. Postdoctoral researchers gain experience in the broader activities involved in building and leading a scientific program, including developing major collaborative projects, designing large and complex studies, organizing scientific meetings, contributing to edited volumes, participating in grant development, and working with researchers across disciplines and institutions. The goal is to develop increasing scientific independence through intensive collaboration, mentorship, productivity, and experience leading ambitious research.
Postdoctoral researchers and their dependents are eligible for health insurance under the University of Pennsylvania plans described here.
All postdoctoral researchers must submit documentation demonstrating eligibility to work in the United States. Non-U.S. citizens selected for the position will be required to obtain an appropriate U.S. visa.
Applicants should submit a CV, a research statement, up to three representative research papers (published or unpublished), and the names of three references here.
Although applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the positions are filled, we expect to make all decisions by January 31, 2027.
Please note that the University of Pennsylvania limits postdoctoral appointments to a maximum of five years, including prior postdoctoral appointments at other institutions.