Postdoctoral Research Associate, Motivation Science

The Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy at the University of Virginia invites applications for a postdoctoral research position in motivation science. The appointee will work as part of the Motivation Science Lab and collaborate with Abigail Scholer, a social psychology faculty member at the Batten School, as well as have opportunities to work with other faculty and carry out their own research. The appointment also involves teaching one class per academic year at the Batten School.

A terminal degree in Psychology or a related discipline with behavioral and policy relevance is required by the start date of the position. Broadly, strong quantitative, communication, and project management skills are also required. Specifically, candidates with training in motivation and goal pursuit, sophisticated quantitative skills in repeated measures, longitudinal analyses, natural language processing, machine learning algorithms, and computational modeling such as drift diffusion will be given priority.

Applicants with a track record of publication are strongly preferred.

Built upon the strong foundation of one of the nation’s top public universities, the Batten School combines rigorous training in policy analysis with a unique emphasis on the acquisition of leadership skills. Members of the research faculty have backgrounds in economics, psychology, political science, and public administration and policy. The school is further enriched by professors of practice who bring real-world policymaking expertise to the classroom. The Batten School currently offers an MPP degree and an undergraduate major and minor in public policy and leadership, as well as multiple dual degree programs with other UVA units.

The position is offered for one year, with the possibility of a second year appointment, contingent upon funding and satisfactory performance.

To Apply

Apply online at https://uva.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/UVAJobs

Search for requisition R0055917. Internal applicants must apply through their UVA Workday profile.

Complete the application, and upload the following Required materials:

• Cover letter
• Research statement including broad introduction to your research, future plans, and potential intersections with the Motivation Science Lab
• Teaching statement describing prior teaching experience and/or teaching philosophy and courses you would be interested in teaching
• Curriculum vitae 
• Contact information for three references (references will only be contacted for those who are short listed) 

Review of applications begins January 2, 2024. The position will remain open until filled.

The selected candidate will be required to complete a background check at time of offer per University Policy.

For questions about the application process, please contact Rhiannon O’Coin, Senior Recruiter of Academic Talent Recruitment, [email protected] .

The Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Affairs at UVA maintains information at postdoc.virginia.edu to support postdocs.

For more information about UVA and the surrounding area, please visit jobs.virginia.edu/us/en .

For more information about benefits available to postdoctoral associates at UVA, visit postdoc.virginia.edu and hr.virginia.edu/benefits

The University of Virginia, i ncluding the UVA Health System which represents the UVA Medical Center, Schools of Medicine and Nursing, UVA Physician’s Group and the Claude Moore Health Sciences Library, are fundamentally committed to the diversity of our faculty and staff.  We believe diversity is excellence expressing itself through every person's perspectives and lived experiences.  We are equal opportunity and affirmative action employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, marital status, national or ethnic origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, veteran status, and family medical or genetic information.