Postdoctoral in Cognitive and Behavioral Data Science

Job Posting Title: Postdoctoral in Cognitive and Behavioral Data Science ---- Hiring Department: Department of Psychology ---- Position Open To: All Applicants ---- Weekly Scheduled Hours: 40 ---- FLSA Status: Exempt ---- Earliest Start Date: Immediately ---- Position Duration: Expected to Continue Until Dec 31, 2026 ---- Location: UT MAIN CAMPUS ---- Job Details: General Notes Postdoctoral position in Cognitive and Behavioral Data Science. The Applied Cognitive Dynamics and Communication Lab in the Department of Psychology at UT Austin is seeking a postdoctoral researcher. Purpose This is a postdoctoral researcher position in cognitive and behavioral data science. Dr. Nicholas Duran, Associate Professor of Psychology at UT Austin and Principal Investigator, is seeking a postdoctoral researcher to help build and advance the research and training mission of a new cognitive and behavioral data science lab, contributing both scientifically and operationally to the lab's development. Responsibilities Conduct original research and analyze large-scale conversational and multimodal behavioral data. Design and implement studies involving computational methods and multimodal data collection. Write scientific manuscripts and present research at conferences. Mentor and train graduate and undergraduate research assistants. Collaborate on grant proposal development and manuscript writing. Help establish lab infrastructure including research workflows, data management systems, and documentation protocols. Assist with lab coordination tasks such as managing project timelines, organizing team meetings, and maintaining research pipelines. Required Qualifications A Ph.D. in psychology, cognitive science, computer science, engineering, data science, or a related field (received no more than three years prior to the start date) Strong statistical and programming skills; demonstrated ability to use one or more programming languages for data analysis (e.g., Python, R, MATLAB) Experience with data analysis, modeling, or computational methods Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple projects independently Preferred Qualifications Interest and/or experience with large-scale natural language processing, machine learning, or applied AI research. Interest and/or experience in multimodal or behavioral data collection (e.g., motion capture, acoustic analysis, wearable sensors, fNIRS, VR-based studies). Interest and/or experience in research on communication, collaboration, or social interaction. Evidence of peer-reviewed publications or conference presentations. Interest and/or experience serving as a mentor to junior research assistants. Initiative in developing new analytic approaches, experimental paradigms, or research systems. Experience with or interest in research project management, lab operations, or building research infrastructure. Enthusiasm for collaborative science and contributing to a supportive, growth-minded lab culture. Salary Range $70,000 depending on qualifications. Working Conditions May work around standard office conditions. Austin Area. Required Materials Resume/CV 3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor Letter of interest Important for applicants who are NOT current university employees or contingent workers: You will be prompted to submit your resume the first time you apply, then you will be provided an option to upload a new Resume for subsequent applications. Any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) will be uploaded in the Application Questions section; you will be able to multi-select additional files. Before submitting your online job application, ensure that ALL Required Materials have been uploaded. Once your job application has been submitted, you cannot make changes. Important for Current university employees and contingent workers: As a current university employee or contingent worker, you MUST apply within Workday by searching for Find UT Jobs. If you are a current University employee, log-in to Workday, navigate to your Worker Profile, click the Career link in the left hand navigation menu and then update the sections in your Professional Profile before you apply. This information will be pulled in to your application. The application is one page and you will be prompted to upload your resume. In addition, you must respond to the application questions presented to upload any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) that were noted above. ---- Employment Eligibility: Please make sure you meet all the required qualifications and you can perform all of the essential functions with or without a reasonable accommodation. ---- Retirement Plan Eligibility: The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length. This position has the option to elect the Optional Retirement Program (ORP) instead of TRS, subject to the position being 40 hours per week and at least 135 days in length. ---- Background Checks: A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position. ---- Equal Opportunity Employer: The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions. ---- Pay Transparency: The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. ---- Employment Eligibility Verification: If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form. You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States. Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment. Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university. ---- E-Verify: The University of Texas at Austin use E-Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015. The university’s company ID number for purposes of E-Verify is 854197. For more information about E-Verify, please see the following: E-Verify Poster (English and Spanish) [PDF] Right to Work Poster (English) [PDF] Right to Work Poster (Spanish) [PDF] ---- Compliance: Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act). If this position is identified a Campus Security Authority (Clery Act), you will be notified and provided resources for reporting. Responsible employees under Title IX are defined and outlined in HOP-3031. The Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. You may access the most recent report here or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe Street, UTA 2.206, Austin, Texas 78701. Start Here, Change the World At The University of Texas at Austin, tradition meets innovation in the heart of a city that frequents lists of the best places to live and work. Named by Forbes as one of America's Best Large Employers for the sixth year in a row in 2025, UT offers both a dynamic work environment and a gateway to vibrant local culture. Whether you're at the forefront of the student experience, conducting world-changing research or supporting the engine that drives Texas’ flagship university, working at UT means making a lasting impact on our city, our state and our world. Our more than 20,000 faculty and staff empower 55,000 students to challenge ideas, pursue passions and shape their futures. Joining UT, you’ll become part of a community dedicated to making a meaningful impact on campus and throughout the world. 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