Postdoctoral Research Associate

Principal Duties

The Center for American Political History, Media, and Technology (CAPT) invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Fellow specializing in research at the intersection of media, politics, and technology in modern America. This is a two-year, full-time, 12-month position beginning between July 1 and September 1, 2026. Candidates must have a Ph.D. in hand by the start date.

As part of Purdue University’s Center for American Political History, Media, and Technology (CAPT), this Postdoctoral Research Fellow will work with CAPT Director Kathryn Cramer Brownell, CAPT Associate Director Jennifer Hoewe, and the CAPT Faculty Fellows to pursue interdisciplinary research that advances CAPT’s mission to better understand the past, present, and future of American democracy in the modern information age. This Fellow will also help develop broader CAPT programming plans, grant applications, and public engagement initiatives.

The successful applicant will have the opportunity to pursue original research commensurate with their own background and interests and will also be invited to join existing CAPT scholarly and public-facing projects. Specific duties will include the following: pursuing a scholarly research project related to CAPT’s mission, assisting with existing and ongoing research projects run through CAPT and its affiliated research lab, the Purdue Research in Media Effects (PRIME) Lab , crafting a public engagement initiative, grant writing, and participating in the intellectual life of the CAPT, the College of Liberal Arts, Purdue University, and the broader community.

The position has an annual salary of $65,000 and is benefits eligible.

Qualifications

Required: Ph.D. in communication, media, American history, American studies, political science, information studies, sociology, and/or psychology, specializing in political communication; evidence of potential for producing peer-reviewed publications and contributing to the development of funded research.

Preferred: An engaged scholar with experience in grant writing and program building.

Application Procedure

Applicants must submit electronically (1) a letter of application that includes an overview of their research interests and a proposed scholarly research and public engagement projects; (2) a CV that includes the names of at least three professional references and date, or intended date, of Ph.D. completion; and (3) a writing sample (preferably a published paper). Applicants are encouraged but not required to submit a sample of their work that showcases their research agenda and their ability to communicate research findings to a broader public. Please submit materials here within Success Factors, the Purdue system for job applications. A background check is required for employment in this position.

Review of materials will begin December 31, 2025, and will continue until the position is filled. Please direct questions to Dr. Jennifer Hoewe at jhoewe@purdue.edu .

Purdue University is an equal opportunity/equal access university.