Position Summary

The Selection, Methodology, and Assessment Research via Technology (SMART) Lab at Rice University, directed by Dr. Tianjun Sun, invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate to contribute to ongoing projects at the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI), psychometrics, personnel management, and individual differences. The position is partially funded by the National Science Foundation.

The postdoc will work closely with an interdisciplinary team spanning psychology, organizational science, computer science, and business analytics to advance responsible and explainable AI in hiring and assessment contexts. The postdoc will spend part of their time on the NSF-funded project examining predictors, outcomes, and user perceptions of AI-chatbot-based interviews, and part of their time leading or collaborating on related psychometric AI projects in the SMART Lab.

This is a one-year term limited, benefits-eligible position with the possibility of extension based upon need and available funding.

Salary $62,000

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and support research on AI-based assessment, including chatbot interview data, natural language processing, and psychometric modeling.
• Analyze machine learning measurement bias using statistical and computational methods.
• Design and execute experimental and field studies evaluating fairness, validity, and user experience in AI-based assessment.
• Collaborate on manuscript preparation for high-impact venues in psychology, management, and computational social science.
• Mentor graduate and undergraduate students in data analysis, research design, and responsible AI methods.
• Contribute to open-science initiatives, including data transparency, code reproducibility, and ethical dissemination.
  

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Industrial-Organizational Psychology, Quantitative Psychology, Psychometrics, Organizational Behavior, Computational Social Science, or a related discipline
  • Candidates must have completed all Ph.D. requirements prior to the start date. If the doctoral degree has not yet been formally conferred by the start date, an alternative appointment at a lower rate (e.g., Research Associate) may be negotiated until degree completion.
• Strong research background in psychometrics, statistical modeling, and individual differences.
• Demonstrated expertise in data analysis (e.g., R, Python) and quantitative research design.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with natural language processing, AI fairness or bias auditing, or organizational assessment research.
• Strong record of publications in peer-reviewed outlets.
• Interest in cross-disciplinary collaboration at the interface of psychology and computer science.
  

Lab and Research Environment

The SMART Lab conducts cutting-edge research at the intersection of psychometrics, AI, and personnel psychology, with current projects examining fairness, explain ability, and validity in AI-driven assessment tools. The lab collaborates with computer scientists, data scientists, and organizational scholars across Rice University and partner institutions, providing a rich, interdisciplinary research environment that supports both applied and theoretical advancements. The SMART Lab fosters a positive and collaborative research culture emphasizing mentorship, teamwork, and shared learning among all members.

Application Instructions

Interested candidates should apply online through the Rice University job portal. Applicants are required to upload the following materials:

1. Cover letter describing research interests and relevant experience
2. Curriculum vitae (CV)
3. One representative publication or writing sample
4. Contact information for three references

Review of applications begins immediately. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Rice University HR | Benefits: https://knowledgecafe.rice.edu/benefits

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Rice University is committed to ensuring Equal Employment Opportunity and welcoming the fullness of diversity into our candidate pools. Rice considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status. Rice also provides reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. If an applicant requires a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, please contact Rice University's Disability Resource Center at 713-348-5841 or adarice@rice.edu for support.

If you have any questions, please email us at jobs@rice.edu. Thank you for your interest in employment with Rice University.