Careers at Annenberg

Position Summary

The successful candidate for this position will work in the Annenberg School for Communication under the supervision of Presidential Professor Deen Freelon. A recent hire at Annenberg, Freelon is in the process of starting a new lab, and this postdoc will play a crucial role in helping him do so. The unifying idea of the new lab’s work is that many facets of group identity—including race, gender, sexuality, religion, nationality, and others—have historically been neglected as potential factors in co-determining communication patterns and outcomes. Quantification of such characteristics must be done carefully to maximize construct validity and minimize harm and exclusion. (The term “group identity” is used broadly and without reference to any particular theoretical tradition.) Applicants with strong interests in these and related issues are encouraged to apply, as are those with experience analyzing under-studied media types including podcasts, images, and video. 

Roughly half this individual’s time will be spent working on Freelon’s projects, while the other half will be devoted to projects initiated independently and with other research groups. The position is designed to allow a highly motivated researcher to build a strong CV under the mentorship of a longtime innovator in political communication and computational social science. Extension of the position to a second year (if desired) will depend on effective performance in the first. 

 Desired qualifications:

• Ph.D. in communication or related field demonstrating expertise in the following areas:
  • Communication across or relating to lines of group identity (e.g. race/ethnicity, gender, sexuality, ideology, religion, nationality, etc.)
  • Computational methods
  • AI as a social science method
  • Development of open-source software tools for research
  • Experience analyzing non-textual media types quantitatively, including video, images, and audio 
  • Political communication
• Experience leading self-directed research and collaborating with a team under the supervision of a PI
• Experience with Python, R, and/or other relevant programming languages
• A strong publication record
• Experience presenting data in compelling and accessible ways
• Interest in establishing professional connections with theoretically and methodologically diverse collaborators 

First-year postdoctoral researchers will receive a minimum stipend of $66,300 commensurate with prior postdoctoral experience and serve in a 12-month appointment to start October 15, 2024. Postdoctoral fellows will receive a taxable relocation allowance of up to $1,000 for domestic relocations and up to $2,000 for international relocations as well as $3,000 in travel/research expenses. Postdocs and their dependents are eligible for health insurance under the University of Pennsylvania’s plans outlined here.

All postdoctoral fellows must submit documentation to demonstrate eligibility to work in the United States. Non-US citizens selected for this position will be required to apply for an appropriate US visa. It is expected that the fellow will be present on campus in Philadelphia, where they will receive a workspace

Submitting Your Application

Eligibility:

You must have a Ph.D. or receive your Ph.D. by September 30, 2024.

Cover Page:

Include your name and contact information, dissertation supervisor name and contact information, defense date (if degree not awarded), and a brief statement of interest (500 words or fewer) explaining 1) your qualifications and interest in the position, as well as 2) details about specific self-directed research projects you would pursue if selected.

CV:

List degrees, peer-reviewed publications, academic non-peer-reviewed publications, public scholarship, invited talks, conference papers, other relevant qualifications, specific research, language, and technical skills.

Up to two publications (not to exceed 50 pages in total) 

Timeline:

All materials should be sent as a single PDF document in the order listed above to dfreelon@upenn.edu by August 15, 2024. Please use the subject line “Group identity postdoc.” Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Additional Information:

If you have additional questions, please email dfreelon@upenn.edu. 

The University of Pennsylvania is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

The Health Communication and Equity Lab invites applications to fill one postdoctoral fellowship position for the 2024-2025 academic year. The focus of this fellowship is on research to assess how messaging about the tobacco product continuum of risk impacts adults who use combustible tobacco products and youth/young adults.

The initial appointment is for one year with the possibility for renewal for a second year.

Applications are welcomed from scholars who have received their Ph.D. by October 1, 2024.

Position Summary

The Health Communication and Equity Lab (HCEL) is based in the Annenberg School for Communication at the University of Pennsylvania and our research informs the design of culturally responsive communication interventions to advance the health and well-being of populations that are impacted by tobacco use. The focus of this fellowship is on research to assess how messaging about the tobacco product continuum of risk impacts adults who use combustible tobacco products and youth/young adults. The initial appointment is for one year with the possibility for renewal for a second year.

The research fellow will gain skills and expertise to be successful as an independent investigator. The research fellow will work closely with Dr. Andy Tan on a federally-funded research project. The fellow will receive training and mentoring on utilizing mixed methods research, qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis, manuscript preparation, and grant writing. The fellowship will include relevant short courses or workshops, invited speaker series, opportunities for presenting research at scientific meetings and seminars, networking with experts, collaboration on interdisciplinary research with faculty from Penn, Johns Hopkins University, and federal partners. We foster a supportive and collaborative environment where everyone's voice is valued and heard.

Required qualifications include a doctoral degree (or earning the degree by the start date) in health communication, tobacco regulatory science, social and behavioral science, or related fields. Candidates with a track record in conducting research in tobacco-related communication regulatory science, formative and evaluative studies of tobacco education health messaging, mixed methods research including content analysis, surveys, and experiments, and experience in recruitment of adults who use tobacco products, youth, and young adults are preferred. Strong written and presentation skills and the ability to work collaboratively within a team environment are highly desired. Candidates from diverse backgrounds, including those from groups that are underrepresented in health-related research, are strongly encouraged to apply.

First-year postdoctoral researchers will receive a minimum stipend of $65,000 commensurate with prior postdoctoral experience and serve in a 12-month appointment, beginning October 1, 2024. Postdoctoral fellows will receive a taxable relocation allowance of up to $1,000 for domestic relocations and up to $2,000 for international relocations as well as $3,000 in travel/research expenses for work conducted in the center. Postdocs and their dependents are eligible for health insurance under the University of Pennsylvania’s plans outlined here.

All postdoctoral fellows must submit documentation to demonstrate eligibility to work in the United States. Non-US citizens selected for this position will be required to apply for an appropriate US visa. It is expected that the fellow will be present on campus in Philadelphia, where they will receive a workspace.

The University of Pennsylvania is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Submitting Your Application

Interested candidates should submit their CV, 2-3 reference letters, plus a cover letter describing their research experience and interests to Dr. Andy Tan (andy.tan@asc.upenn.edu). Applications are due by September 30, 2024.