"Postdoctoral Associate, PSiX"

Postdoctoral Associate, PSiX

Cornell Human Ecology

Cornell University

The Purpose Science and Innovation Exchange (PSIX) at Cornell University is seeking a full-time Postdoctoral Associate to play a key role in advancing the PSIX initiatives and research agenda. This position offers the opportunity to shape and implement ongoing and new research initiatives that explore and expand our understanding of purpose, identity, and well-being across diverse populations. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in social science research, including quantitative and qualitative research methods, experience in research operations, and a demonstrated ability to collaborate across multidisciplinary teams. The Postdoctoral Associate will help to transform and expand the way purpose is understood, accessed, and developed.

About PSIX

PSIX emerges from the longstanding, trusted, and collaborative tradition of the Bronfenbrenner Center for Translational Research, Cornell Human Ecology’s hub for accelerating connections between research, practice, and policy. PSIX is an emerging forward-thinking initiative dedicated to studying and advancing the science of purpose. By connecting cutting-edge research with practical applications, PSIX seeks to create meaningful change in individual and societal outcomes. Our team collaborates with researchers, policy leaders, and practitioners to push the boundaries of knowledge and drive innovation in the field, especially as it relates to:

• How young people initially develop and cultivate their sense of purpose
• Mechanisms through which purpose can enhance physical and mental health outcomes across diverse populations
• Integrating purpose science to enhance leadership and organizational performance
• Scaling purpose science to create accessible and personalized learning experiences

Position Summary

This role is ideal for a highly motivated individual who thrives in dynamic environments and excels at translating vision into action. Working closely with the PSIX Director and the Senior Research Associate, the Postdoctoral Associate will play a key role in research operations to advance existing research, develop a portfolio of PSIX translational research activities and represent PSIX in collaborations and conferences. This position includes mentorship and professional development opportunities, as well as opportunities to contribute to PSIX’s external collaborations. The Postdoctoral Associate will work closely with PSIX’s sister organization Purpose Commons that explores strategies for cultivating purpose among young people. The Postdoctoral Associate will also help to build and sustain the Lab of Labs, a collaborative and dynamic network of researchers in purpose science across institutions who desire meaningful opportunities to engage with other scholars, youth-serving organizations, and youth themselves.

Key Responsibilities:

• Partner with the PSIX Director and Senior Research Associate to execute PSIX’s research vision and strategy.
• Collect, analyze, and integrate qualitative and/or quantitative data, e.g., through surveys, interviews, focus groups, participatory action methods.
• Partner with and support the Senior Research Associate on the National Purpose Survey, the first nationally representative longitudinal sample investigating diverse youth’s experiences cultivating purpose, including analyzing qualitative and quantitative data from 2,000 diverse young people ages 15 to 25 and sharing results to diverse audiences including academics, community stakeholders, nonprofits, young people, and policymakers. The Postdoctoral Associate will also help the Senior Research Associate to facilitate youth engagement on survey development and co-interpretation of findings.
• Partner in core research operations, including study design, implementation, IRB processes, data management, and storage.
• Serve as a secondary Research Contact for PSIX’s sister organization, Purpose Commons.
• Represent the PSIX Senior Research Associate in internal and external meetings and conferences, addressing inquiries from collaborators and stakeholders.
• Participate in research meetings, including weekly team discussions, monthly brainstorming sessions, and quarterly leadership meetings.
• Understand and liaise with Senior Research Associate on grant budgets.
• Lead and collaborate on research publications and communications

Qualifications:

• A Ph.D. (preferred) in a relevant field such as psychology, sociology, public policy, or related social sciences.
• Working knowledge of literature in the science of purpose and translational research.
• An interest in conducting equity-centered research and a desire to make real-world changes. Experience with community engagement and participatory action research approaches preferred.
• Experience designing and implementing research studies, managing data, and navigating IRB protocols.
• Strong thinking, theorizing, and writing skills required for leading first-author papers.
• Excellent organizational, leadership, and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent communication skills, capable of articulating complex information to diverse audiences.
• Commitment to ethical research practices and cultural sensitivity.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and manage diverse stakeholders.
• Aid in the development of research instruments, including surveys and focus group protocols, to gather community feedback on research initiatives.
• Proficiency in qualitative and quantitative research methods and data analysis tools, such as R, SPSS, Stata, MAXQDA, and Nvivo.
• Aid in the analysis of data to derive insights into best practices for practitioners and recommendations for policy makers.
• Ability to present research findings to diverse stakeholders, including academic audiences, community leaders, and policymakers.

Position Details

This is a one-year, full-time appointment, with the possibility of renewal based on performance and funding. The position will be based in Ithaca, NY. This is an on-site, in person position. No visa sponsorship or relocation assistance are provided for this position.

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