Postdoctoral Research Scholar

About the role

Description The Center on Information and Narrative Complexity (CINC) at Arizona State University invites applications for a full-time postdoctoral research scholar as part of a funded grant project that will support the development of computational models, analytical frameworks, and research with applications in both fundamental science and operational settings.   The project develops an AI-powered framework that helps uncover the underlying narratives that make messages resonate with different audiences and measures how well communications align with an audience's worldview. Over time, it combines these capabilities into a Narrative Codex Framework (NCF) that can both decode the narratives driving influence campaigns and suggest more effective, narrative-aligned communication strategies for human review. Essential Duties Contribute to the development and analysis of computational and social systems from behavioral, societal, and human-centered perspectives. Partner with software engineers, data scientists, and social scientists to co-develop NCF methods that draw equally on computational and social science expertise. Support the development of scalable, reproducible model and data pipelines for research and experimentation. Work with faculty investigators and research scientists to transition research methods into a robust, well-documented, and deployable NCF framework. Support co-mentoring of students and research scientists, providing guidance to ensure high-quality contributions and timely progress Working Environment Activities are primarily performed in an environmentally controlled office setting, with extended periods of sitting, working at a computer, and participating in virtual and in-person meetings  Work is performed in a fast-paced, dynamic environment requiring the ability to manage multiple priorities, respond to changing needs, and meet deadlines.. Qualifications Minimum Qualifications  Earned (completed) doctorate degree in computational social science, data science, complex systems, computer science or a closely related field at time of appointment. Experience in programming (Python, R, or similar) and basic data analysis practices. Interest or experience in modeling belief dynamics, information environments, communication and/or narrative analysis. Ability to work independently and as part of an interdisciplinary team. Desired Qualifications  Experience with complex systems approaches and collaborating across disciplinary boundaries. Familiarity with large language models (LLMs) or natural language processing (NLP) for social science applications beyond prompt engineering. Interest in conducting research relevant to defense and intelligence applications. Desired Technical Skills: Python, including common NLP and machine learning libraries (e.g., spaCy, Hugging Face, scikit-learn, PyTorch) Running jobs on high-performance computing (HPC) clusters Working with Google Cloud Platform Building applications/programs with large language model (LLM) APIs Statistical analysis, including intercoder reliability and evaluation of classifier accuracy Software engineering practices ( e.g., version control, testing, code review) Application Instructions Only electronic submissions will be reviewed. Incomplete applications will not be considered. To apply for this position, submit the following required application materials:  Cover letter  A complete curriculum vitae  The names and contact information of three references (name, position, title, organization, email, and phone number). Optional (I.e. statement of research, two or more peer-reviewed publications)  The initial application deadline is September 1, 2026. Applications will continue to be accepted on a rolling basis for a reserve pool. Applications in the reserve pool may then be reviewed in the order in which they were received until the position is filled.  Equal Employment Opportunity Statement A background check is required for employment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other basis protected by law. See   and .   In compliance with federal law, ASU prepares an annual report on campus security and fire safety programs and resources.  ASU’s Annual Security and Fire Safety Report is available online at   You may request a hard copy of the report by contacting the ASU Police Department at 480-965-3456.