Level B $114,917 to $135,932 per annum plus an employer contribution of 17% superannuation applies.
24 Months Fixed term Part time position until Oct 2027.
This postdoctoral position in computational cognitive science and data science offers an exciting opportunity to help monitor and combat online social influence and promote a healthy information environment. The successful candidate will join the School of Computing and Mathematical Sciences as part of a project funded by the Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator (ASCA) Emerging and Disruptive Technologies (EDT) program. This role will focus on developing and/or applying psychological theory- and data-driven models to enhance the detection of online narratives.
The successful candidate will be appointed to a two-year fixed-term, research-intensive position supported by ASCA’s EDT program on synthetic media and disinformation. Working closely with interdisciplinary university/industry teams including psychologists, data scientists, and software engineers, the researcher will contribute to our expanding research program focused on understanding and countering harmful narratives and, mis/disinformation, and applying social network analysis.
To be successful you will need:
- PhD in a relevant discipline such as computer science, data science, cognitive science, psychology or a related field.
- Holds, or is eligible to apply for, an Australian Government security clearance.
- Demonstrated research ability in computational cognitive science, data science or related areas, as evidenced by a strong record of data analysis, modelling, and scholarly publication.
- Experience working in collaborative, interdisciplinary teams, particularly on projects that integrate psychology/cognitive science, data sciences, and/or software development.
- Effective communication skills, including the ability to present research findings to both technical and non-technical audiences and engage in stakeholder or end-user consultation.
DESIRED CHARACTERISTICS:
- Demonstrated experience in models of opinion dynamics, Bayesian reasoning models, natural language processing, social network analysis.
- Experience developing software prototypes using python, JavaScript/node.js, modern reactive web frameworks, visualisation technologies (e.g. SVG, D3.js).
- Experience designing, developing and deploying online experiments or other “human intelligence tasks” via crowd-source platforms (e.g. Prolific Academic, Amazon Mechanical Turk).
- Interest or experience in defence research and industry collaboration.
The path to Adelaide University
We are on an exciting path to Adelaide University as we prepare to open our doors in January 2026. Adelaide University will combine the strengths of the University of Adelaide and the University of South Australia, and we are dedicated to creating an accessible and future-focused educational powerhouse that fosters economic and social wellbeing through ground-breaking research and innovative teaching. You can learn more about Adelaide University HERE and more information will be provided throughout the recruitment process.
Enjoy an outstanding career environment
We offer a uniquely rewarding workplace. The size, breadth and quality of our education and research programs - including significant industry, government and community collaboration - offers you vast scope and opportunity for a long, fulfilling career.
It also enables us to attract high-calibre people in all facets of our operations, ensuring you will be surrounded by talented colleagues, many world-leading. Our work's cutting-edge nature - not just in your own area, but across virtually the full spectrum of human endeavour - provides a constant source of inspiration.
Our culture is one that welcomes all and embraces diversity consistent with our Staff Values and Behaviour Framework and our Values of integrity, respect, collegiality, excellence and discovery. We firmly believe that our people are our most valuable asset, so we work to grow and diversify the skills, knowledge and capability of all our staff.
We embrace flexibility as a key principle to allow our people to manage the changing demands of work, personal and family life.
In addition, we offer a wide range of attractive staff benefits. These include salary packaging; flexible work arrangements; high-quality professional development programs and activities; and an on-campus health clinic, gym and other fitness facilities.
Learn more at: adelaide.edu.au/jobs
Your faculty's broader role
The Faculty of Sciences, Engineering and Technology is a multidisciplinary hub of cutting-edge teaching and research. Many of its academic staff are world leaders in their fields and graduates are highly regarded by employers. The Faculty actively partners with innovative industries to solve problems of global significance.
Learn more at: set.adelaide.edu.au
If you have the talent, we'll give you the opportunity. Together, let's make history.
Click on the ‘Apply Now’ button to be taken through to the online application form. Please ensure you submit a cover letter, resume, and upload a document that includes your responses to all of the selection criteria for the position as contained in the position description or selection criteria document.
Applications close 11:55pm, Thursday 17 July 2025.
The University reserves the right to close this advertisement before the closing date if a suitable candidate is identified.
For further information
For a confidential discussion regarding this position, contact:
Keith Ransom
Research Fellow- School of Computer and Mathematical Sciences
E: keith.ransom@adelaide.edu.au
You'll find a full position description and/or selection criteria below: (If no links appear, try viewing on another device)
We are an Equal Employment Opportunity employer committed to providing a working environment that embraces and values diversity and inclusion. Female applicants, people with a disability and/or and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who meet the requirements of this position are strongly encouraged to apply. If you have any support or access requirements, we encourage you to advise us at time of application.
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