"Post-Doctoral Research Associate"

The Early Learning and Social Cognition Lab directed by Dr. Annelise Pesch is seeking a highly motivated Research Associate (postdoc) to join the lab. Our lab investigates the social and cognitive skills that support early learning and development. We use a variety of methods – including experiments, naturalistic observations, and surveys – to explore how young children learn from others. We aim to build evidence-based foundations for translational efforts that promote early learning in both informal and formal contexts. Our work is guided by community-based participatory research approaches, in which communities are active partners and collaborators throughout the scientific process.

The successful candidate will play a central role in several new initiatives that aim to establish community partnerships and embed playful learning opportunities in collaboration with stakeholders throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. The Research Associate will be involved in facilitating codesign workshops with key stakeholders, overseeing collection of observational and survey data in community spaces, manuscript preparation, and grant writing. The scholar will provide supervision and mentorship of undergraduate and graduate students in the lab.

This is a full-time, 12-month position with the possibility of renewal, contingent upon performance and funding. The anticipated start date is January 1, 2026, but is flexible depending on availability. This is an in-person position.

The successful candidate will be expected to travel to locations throughout Dallas-Fort Worth and to attend in-person meetings and functions at the UT-Dallas campus in Richardson, Texas.

This position is in the Department of Psychology in the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences at The University of Texas at Dallas (UTD — bbs.utdallas.edu). UTD is the fastest growing University in Texas, is ranked number 3 in the nation among universities less than 50 years old and houses a vibrant research community. The city of Dallas is an international economic hub with a vibrant cultural atmosphere and world-class sports and entertainment in a temperate climate.