Bullard Research Fellow (Postdoctoral Research Fellow) at University of Texas at Austin in Austin, Texas

Job Description:

The School of Information at the University of Texas at Austin invites applications for up to four new full-time post-doctoral Bullard Research Fellow positions to start in 2024, with the exact start date depending on applicant availability and completion of doctoral studies. The salary for successful candidates will be $60,000 per year, plus a standard package of benefits. These are 12-month positions that can be renewed for a second year contingent upon performance.

We are seeking applicants with active research plans in any of the following areas:

• BRF1) We seek applicants with active research plans in the areas of searching as learning, understanding searching as a human learning process, assessing learning in the search process, designing search systems to support human learning, supporting creativity in search, incorporating generative AI in enhancing creative thinking processes, credibility assessment of AI generated content, evaluation of learning-centric search systems, information searching behavior, and interactive information retrieval. This position will be mentored by Soo Young Rieh.
• BRF2) We seek applicants with active research plans in A) accessibility in online learning and B) AI in K16 education. Area A) provides an opportunity for a post-doc to study the technological, human, and social-cultural factors that impact the perceived usability and accessibility of online education and associated technologies for people with disabilities and older adults (65 ). Example area(s) include but not limited to online courseware accessibility, learning content management systems, virtual peer support networks, online courses for the benefit of older adults. Area B) provides an opportunity for a post-doc to study the ethical and practical implications of AI-based technologies used in K16 education, such as personalization of learning, intelligent user interfaces, and ethical design of AI for the classroom. It's possible to pursue research that intersects both areas. This position will be mentored by Earl Huff, Jr.
• BRF3) We seek applicants with active research plans in interactive information retrieval and its intersection with neuro-information science and/or genAI. This position will provide an opportunity for a post-doc to shape this emerging research area(s). The successful candidate will focus on using neuro-physiological evidence to deepen understanding of human-information interaction (including, but not limited to searching as learning, cognitive load while searching, cognitive biases). One goal is to identify neuro-physiological (NP) markers of human information behavior. Another is to investigate, from human-centered perspective, incorporating large language models (LLMs) to enhance the process of information finding. Experimental studies will be conducted in our state-of-the-art Information eXperience (IX) lab. This position will be mentored by Jacek Gwizdka.
• BRF4) We seek applicants with active research plans in knowledge infrastructures, sociology of science, the future of work, and/or rural informatics. The successful candidate will have an ongoing research plan exploring the ethical development, diffusion, and impact of information technology and infrastructures for 1) environmental management and conservation, 2) precision and digital agricultural work, or 3) policy work related to the prior two areas. We seek outstanding interdisciplinary researchers exploring the technologically-structured and -mediated relationship between human and non-human life, and who wish to explore how data, data practices, and information technology impact workers. This position will be mentored by Stephen C. Slota.
• BRF5) Seeking applicants to undertake research exploring the structural barriers impacting equity in data-centric design (this is part of ongoing grant work, taking upon a mixed methods approach. The next phase will require design workshops with historically marginalized technology users as well as software designers and developers). Researchers should be interested in or experienced with community-based participatory research in supporting critical and cultural computing and supporting ethically responsible sociotechnical experiences. Examples include understanding and designing for racial and cultural intersections with technology/AI, better informing race-based methodologies and justice-oriented lenses, and similar approaches. This position will be mentored by Angela D. R. Smith.
• BRF6) Seeking applicants with interests at the intersection of human behavior and the arts, particularly in relation to the psychology of collectors, including the emotional and affective dynamics of identity, the development of connoisseurship, and the assessment of value and aesthetics. Such research aims to extend informatics research in community, expertise, authenticity, cultural preservation, and identity to address the contemporary manifestation of routine human activities related to the acquisition, retention and use of both physical and digital materials that serve purposes other than utilitarian. This position will be mentored by Andrew Dillon.
• BRF7) We seek applicants in natural language processing (NLP), information retrieval (IR), and human computation & crowdsourcing (HCOMP). Our work on responsible AI develops methods for model explanations and fairness. We build automated and human-in-the-loop models. We develop general methods to advance the state-of-the-art, grounded in social challenges like curbing disinformation and hate speech. A variety of our ongoing work touches on large language models (LLMs). This position will be mentored by Matt Lease, as part of his lab for Artificial Intelligence and Human-Centered Computing (AI&HCC), and provide collaboration opportunities in UT Austin's campus-wide Good Systems grand challenge for responsible AI.

The Bullard Research Fellows program (https://www.ischool.utexas.edu/programs/postdoctoral-fellowships) is designed to allow exceptionally promising young scholars the time to develop their own research while collaborating with leading established scholars and researchers. It is designed to accelerate careers, and to maximize the ability of Bullard Research Fellows to build independent research trajectories. To accomplish this, a portion of each fellow's time will be reserved for their own independent research and publication efforts, including publishing results from their dissertation.

Additionally, all Bullard Research Fellows will work with a mentor or mentors on research projects in the areas listed above, all of which are either already active or are collecting data in anticipation of funding. All have significant publication opportunities planned.

These post-doctoral positions do not include any obligation to teach; however, successful applicants who wish to enhance their teaching record will be able to teach up to one course annually as part of their normal workload; this may be done either as a co-lecturer with a faculty member, or as an independent lecturer. All post-docs will be given opportunities for guest lecturing and will be expected to give public seminars.

Each post-doctoral fellow will have access to up to $5,000 annually for research expenses and travel to professional conferences and research opportunities. A laptop computer will also be provided for the duration of the fellowship.

For all of the above positions, we only seek candidates with excellent research and leadership abilities and a commitment to contributing to the UT Austin iSchool and the field of information more broadly while accelerating their career.

On the start date of the position, candidates must hold a doctoral degree in a field relevant to their area of research and will normally have been awarded no more than three years prior to their start date. Exceptions to the three-year limit will be considered on a case-by-case basis, particularly for candidates who have taken positions outside academia and wish to return to academic research. Candidates must articulate clearly in their application materials which position they are applying for (BRF1 to BRF7) and what independent project they propose to work on during their fellowship. This position is eligible for H-1B sponsorship.

Application Instructions

Applications will be accepted until available positions are filled, however candidates wishing to ensure consideration should apply before April 10, 2024, when we will begin reviewing applications.

These post-doctoral positions are for academics in the early stages of their career who demonstrate exceptional potential as a scholar and researcher. Applicants should either have completed a doctoral degree, or be able to convincingly demonstrate that they will complete the degree before they intend to start this post-doctoral fellowship (e.g. by documenting a scheduled viva/final defense). Required materials:

1) Current CV.

2) Cover letter of approximately 1-2 pages. Required elements of your cover letter include:

- which position(s) you are applying for (e.g. BRF1 or BRF7);

- when you would be available to start your Fellowship;

- a clear articulation of your fit with the UT Austin iSchool, addressing how your expertise overlaps with, enhances, or expands upon the research area indicated for your position(s) of interest. Please include names of mentors that you would like to work with.

3) Research statement (2-3 pages) that includes a description of the focus of your planned independent research and publications during the fellowship, what sort of resources would you need to do that work, and an explanation of how the research builds on and goes beyond work you have already done.

4) One sample of your writing, preferably a pre- or post-print of a first-authored publication.

5) Names and contact details of three references (who we may contact at any stage in the hiring process unless candidate requests otherwise).

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