Princeton University: Office of the Dean of the Faculty: Social Sciences: Politics
Location: Princeton, NJ
Salary Range or Pay Grade: $70,000-$75,000/year
Description
The Department of Politics at Princeton University invites applications for a postdoctoral research associate position.
The individual, who will work with Professor Arthur Spirling, will be asked to participate in projects that research and refine quantitative methodology for political science. The postdoc will work on a variety of projects, which may include methods for large language models, the impact of artificial intelligence on society, as well as broader questions surrounding the application of statistics and machine learning in social science. The position requires no teaching, though teaching opportunities may be provided if requested. When teaching, successful candidates will carry the additional part-time rank of Lecturer, and any teaching opportunities are subject to sufficient enrollments and the approval of the Dean of the Faculty. Some mild administrative work may be required.
Qualifications
The successful candidate will have a PhD and a strong background in quantitative research/statistics/econometrics. Strong computational skills are required. Ideally these skills would include programming ability in scripting and system languages. Experience working with large language models, either locally or via API is desirable. Experience working with large relational databases is also desirable. The candidate should take initiative, be creative, well organized, flexible, attend to detail, and respond to deadlines in a timely fashion.
Application Instructions
Applicants must apply with a cover letter, CV, and contact information for two referees, one of which should be from the principal advisor of the doctorate program. The appointment is for one year with the possibility of an extension pending satisfactory performance and continued funding. This position is subject to the university's background check policy. The work location for this position is in-person on campus at Princeton University. We will begin reviewing applications on July 1, 2026. The selected candidate may negotiate a start date between Sept 1, 2026, and Jan 2, 2027.
This position is 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.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
Princeton University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Pay Transparency Disclosure
The University considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's qualifications, work experience, education/training, key skills, market, collective bargaining agreements as applicable, and organizational considerations when extending an offer. The posted salary range represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate for a full-time position; salaries for part-time positions are pro-rated accordingly.
The University also offers a comprehensive benefits program to eligible employees. Please see this link for more information.
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