We invite applications for a postdoctoral fellow to conduct research on issues of diversity and inclusion in open source software development and open collaboration environments in the Connected Experience and STRUDEL labs at Carnegie Mellon University. The postdoctoral fellow will be supervised and mentored by Laura Dabbish, Bogdan Vasilescu, and James Herbsleb. They will have opportunities to collaborate with HCI Institute and Software and Societal Systems faculty, among many others at CMU.

The postdoctoral fellow will play a key role in shaping and managing our NSF funded project on designing inclusive collaboration environments. Our project offers opportunities to conduct research and mentor graduate students in one or more of the following areas: open source software development, open collaboration, online identity, inclusion, moderation, artificial intelligence, and social dynamics. Research questions related to this position include what are barriers to inclusivity in open collaboration environments, how to foster virtual community and psychological safety in open collaboration, how intelligence and visualization can support self-efficacy and mentorship in open collaboration environments, and how to envision new ai-mediated collaboration dynamics. The fellow is encouraged to propose and develop research ideas of mutual interest.

Responsibilities for the position will be to lead independent research projects, publish academic papers and write ups describing their work, and contribute to project management and student mentoring. The person selected for the postdoc position will be expected to reside in Pittsburgh and participate in project-related remote and in-person meetings, events, and activities.

This one-year appointment holds the possibility for a second year depending on performance and funding. The postdoctoral researcher will receive mentoring on grant writing, academic career planning, research planning, and supervising of students and researchers.

Start Date. As early as Fall 2024 or to be determined with the successful candidate. Review of applications will start immediately and will continue until the position is filled.

Applicants candidates are expected to hold a doctoral degree on the start date of the position in a field relevant to their area of research. We encourage applicants from a range of disciplines including human-computer interaction, computer-supported cooperative work, software engineering, computer and information sciences, communications, organizational science, sociology, gender studies, data science, design, law, philosophy, media studies, and public policy. 

We are committed to interdisciplinary research and open to diverse research approaches. Applicants with expertise in quantitative research (e.g., computational social science, machine learning, statistical analysis, or experimental design), design research (e.g. participatory design, research through design), mixed-methods, prototyping/system building, and/or qualitative research (e.g., interviews or ethnography) are strongly encouraged to apply. A successful candidate will be collaborative, have excellent writing, presentation, and project management skills, and be committed to the development of original theory and/or applications.

To apply, please submit the following information:

• A research statement (2-4 pages). It should explain your qualifications, research, and interest in the position, and how your work connects to our focus on diversity and inclusion in open source and online communities

• A curriculum vitae

• At least two sample publications or substantial drafts of journal articles, or the equivalent

• Names and contact information for three recommenders

Interested applicants should send email to dabbish@cmu.edu with questions about the position.

Carnegie Mellon University shall abide by the requirements of 41 CFR §§ 60-1.4(a), 60-300.5(a) and 60-741.5(a). These regulations prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities, and prohibit discrimination against all individuals based on their race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. Moreover, these regulations require that covered prime contractors and subcontractors take affirmative action to employ and advance in employment individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, protected veteran status or disability.

About Carnegie Mellon University

Carnegie Mellon (www.cmu.edu) is a private, internationally ranked research university with programs in areas ranging from science, technology and business, to public policy, the humanities and the arts. More than 12,000 students in the university’s seven schools and colleges benefit from a small student-to-faculty ratio and an education characterized by its focus on creating and implementing solutions for real problems, interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation. A global university, Carnegie Mellon’s main campus in the United States is in Pittsburgh, Pa. It has campuses in California’s Silicon Valley and Qatar, and programs in Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe and Mexico.

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