What are the responsibilities and job description for the Postdoctoral Research Fellow position at Wesleyan University?
Postdoctoral Research Fellowship
Applications are invited for a 1-year postdoctoral research fellowship in the Department of Psychology at Wesleyan University (Middletown, CT). The position may be renewable for a second year based on performance and funding. We seek a highly motivated scientist with flexible research interests within the field of developmental psychology. This position has a particular emphasis on mentoring/supervising undergraduate research in developmental science within a liberal arts university setting. The successful candidate will collaborate with two separate labs: The Cognitive Development Laboratory, directed by Dr. Hilary Barth, and the Sleep and Psychosocial Adjustment Lab, directed by Dr. Royette T. Dubar. Dr. Barth’s research interests include numerical and spatial cognition, social cognition, and decision making in children and adults. Dr. Dubar’s research interests include sleep health, adolescent and emerging adulthood adjustment, and the science of parenting. Both labs employ a range of research designs, including experimental studies both in person and online, longitudinal quantitative online survey studies, and longitudinal qualitative interview studies.
The successful candidate will teach an undergraduate course once per academic year, with the specific course to be determined in consultation with both faculty mentors. This position offers unique opportunities for the candidate to actively engage with a range of research studies within the field of development science, as well as mentor exceptional undergraduate students. The postdoctoral fellowship is ideally suited for a strong researcher who equally values the opportunity to develop an independent research program within the field of developmental psychology, as well as to gain experience teaching and mentoring undergraduate students. Wesleyan University is a highly selective liberal arts institution, where faculty are actively engaged in research. Wesleyan University also offers teaching training through the Center for Faculty Career Development office.
Minimum Qualifications
Ph.D. in psychology or a related field
Preferred Qualifications
Competitive candidates will have exceptional undergraduate teaching/mentoring experience and demonstrated ability to successfully publish research. Some expertise in the “Children Helping Science/Lookit” platform for online developmental science studies is preferred. Previous experience interacting with children and/or families in a research setting will be viewed favorably.
The position will begin on or after July 1, 2026.
Competencies
Organizational skills, Project management, Teamwork/collaboration, Time management, Oral/written communication skills, Respect for diversity, Commitment to sustainability
Additional Information
Applications will be considered on a rolling basis until May 31, 2026. Please apply at: https://wesleyan.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/careers
Application materials
All offers to external applicants are contingent on the candidate’s completion of a pre-employment background check screening to the satisfaction of Wesleyan University.
Wesleyan University, located in Middletown, Connecticut, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, age, gender, gender identity or expression, national origin, marital status, ancestry, present or past history of mental disorder, learning disability or physical disability, political belief, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information or non-position-related criminal record. We welcome applications from women and historically underrepresented minority groups. Inquiries regarding Title IX, Section 504 or any other non-discrimination policies should be directed to Vice President for Equity and Inclusion, Title IX and ADA/504 Coordinator.
Wesleyan University complies with the Clery Act and maintains records of campus crime statistics and security policies. Copies of Wesleyan University’s Clery Act Report are available on request and online at https://www.wesleyan.edu/publicsafety/clery.html.
Experience is taken into consideration in the determination of salary offers. For more information visit https://www.wesleyan.edu/hr/handbook/compensation-practices/index.html
Wesleyan offers a broad range of employee benefits and development opportunities, including comprehensive group insurance plans, wellness programs and incentives, generous paid time off and retirement plans, flexible work schedules, employee and dependent tuition programs for those who qualify.
Detailed information on the benefits of working at Wesleyan is located at: https://wesleyan.edu/hr/careers/prospective-resources.html.
Applications are invited for a 1-year postdoctoral research fellowship in the Department of Psychology at Wesleyan University (Middletown, CT). The position may be renewable for a second year based on performance and funding. We seek a highly motivated scientist with flexible research interests within the field of developmental psychology. This position has a particular emphasis on mentoring/supervising undergraduate research in developmental science within a liberal arts university setting. The successful candidate will collaborate with two separate labs: The Cognitive Development Laboratory, directed by Dr. Hilary Barth, and the Sleep and Psychosocial Adjustment Lab, directed by Dr. Royette T. Dubar. Dr. Barth’s research interests include numerical and spatial cognition, social cognition, and decision making in children and adults. Dr. Dubar’s research interests include sleep health, adolescent and emerging adulthood adjustment, and the science of parenting. Both labs employ a range of research designs, including experimental studies both in person and online, longitudinal quantitative online survey studies, and longitudinal qualitative interview studies.
The successful candidate will teach an undergraduate course once per academic year, with the specific course to be determined in consultation with both faculty mentors. This position offers unique opportunities for the candidate to actively engage with a range of research studies within the field of development science, as well as mentor exceptional undergraduate students. The postdoctoral fellowship is ideally suited for a strong researcher who equally values the opportunity to develop an independent research program within the field of developmental psychology, as well as to gain experience teaching and mentoring undergraduate students. Wesleyan University is a highly selective liberal arts institution, where faculty are actively engaged in research. Wesleyan University also offers teaching training through the Center for Faculty Career Development office.
Minimum Qualifications
Ph.D. in psychology or a related field
Preferred Qualifications
Competitive candidates will have exceptional undergraduate teaching/mentoring experience and demonstrated ability to successfully publish research. Some expertise in the “Children Helping Science/Lookit” platform for online developmental science studies is preferred. Previous experience interacting with children and/or families in a research setting will be viewed favorably.
The position will begin on or after July 1, 2026.
Competencies
Organizational skills, Project management, Teamwork/collaboration, Time management, Oral/written communication skills, Respect for diversity, Commitment to sustainability
Additional Information
Applications will be considered on a rolling basis until May 31, 2026. Please apply at: https://wesleyan.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/careers
Application materials
- Cover Letter
- Curriculum Vitae
- Teaching/Mentoring Statement
- Research Statement
- Recent Publication(s)
- 3 Reference letters
All offers to external applicants are contingent on the candidate’s completion of a pre-employment background check screening to the satisfaction of Wesleyan University.
Wesleyan University, located in Middletown, Connecticut, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, age, gender, gender identity or expression, national origin, marital status, ancestry, present or past history of mental disorder, learning disability or physical disability, political belief, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information or non-position-related criminal record. We welcome applications from women and historically underrepresented minority groups. Inquiries regarding Title IX, Section 504 or any other non-discrimination policies should be directed to Vice President for Equity and Inclusion, Title IX and ADA/504 Coordinator.
Wesleyan University complies with the Clery Act and maintains records of campus crime statistics and security policies. Copies of Wesleyan University’s Clery Act Report are available on request and online at https://www.wesleyan.edu/publicsafety/clery.html.
Experience is taken into consideration in the determination of salary offers. For more information visit https://www.wesleyan.edu/hr/handbook/compensation-practices/index.html
Wesleyan offers a broad range of employee benefits and development opportunities, including comprehensive group insurance plans, wellness programs and incentives, generous paid time off and retirement plans, flexible work schedules, employee and dependent tuition programs for those who qualify.
Detailed information on the benefits of working at Wesleyan is located at: https://wesleyan.edu/hr/careers/prospective-resources.html.