Position Details
Position Information
Recruitment/Posting Title Postdoctoral Associate Researcher- Taylor Lab Department Psychology Salary Details $66,000 - $69,000 Offer Information
The final salary offer may be determined by several factors, including, but not limited to, the candidate's qualifications, experience, and expertise, and availability of department or grant funds to support the position. We also take into consideration market benchmarks, if and when appropriate, and internal equity to ensure fair compensation relative to the university's broader compensation structure. We are committed to offering competitive and flexible compensation packages to attract and retain top talent.
Benefits
Rutgers provides a comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees. The specific benefits vary based on the position and may include:
Posting Summary
Postdoctoral Researcher Dr. Valerie Jones Taylor (PI, Stereotyping and Social
Interactions Virtual Reality (SSI-VR) Lab) is seeking a full-time Postdoctoral
Researcher to join the research team between June and August 2026. The
Postdoctoral Researcher will contribute to empirical research in the lab,
focusing on how social identity threat affects people's interracial interactions,
performance, and perception and evaluation of others. Likewise, they will
also contribute to SSI-VR Lab projects that examine ways to reduce social
identity threat to improve cross-race interactions, performance, and social
justice/collective action using traditional research methodologies and virtual
reality (VR). Recent lab projects also examine how VR can be used as an
antiracism tool. Mentorship will be tailored to an individual's research and
professional interests. For more information about the lab, please visit our
website: https://ssivrlab.wixsite.com/ssivrlab. The Postdoctoral Researcher
will support the PI (Dr. Valerie Jones Taylor) in work related to VR interracial
interactions in academic and social contexts.
Responsibilities include designing and conducting experimental work, conducting data analyses, and working on activities including background research and literature reviews, mixed-methods research designs (including using VR technology), data collection and analyses, and writing papers, reports, and dissemination pieces. The Postdoctoral Researcher will also assist the Lab Manager in coordinating the general progress of SSI-VR Lab research activities. Eligibility Successful candidates will have demonstrable skills in advancing psychological research from conceptualization to publication.
This is a full-time 1-year appointment. The position is salaried, includes
benefits, and up to $1,000 for relocation (if applicable). Should I Apply?!
Studies show that women, persons of color, and persons from other less
socially privileged backgrounds are less likely to apply for positions unless
they meet every one of the qualifications listed. You are encouraged to
apply if you (1) believe that you have the skills for this position, (2) meet
some of the criteria outlined above, and (3) are passionate about social
psychology and studying intergroup interactions (e.g., interracial interactions)
within the social sciences.
Position Status Full Time Posting Number 26FA0352 Posting Open Date Posting Close Date 08/01/2026
Qualifications
Minimum Education and Experience
Candidates must have a Ph.D. in Psychology or a related field with significant training in quantitative, experimental social psychology. If the Ph.D. is incomplete, candidates must complete their dissertation, with graduation expected by the end of Summer 2026.
Certifications/Licenses
NA
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
NA
Preferred Qualifications Equipment Utilized
NA
Physical Demands and Work Environment
NA
Overview Statement
Posting Details
Special Instructions to Applicants Quick Link to Posting https://jobs.rutgers.edu/postings/272827 Campus Rutgers University-New Brunswick Home Location Campus Livingston (RU-New Brunswick) City Piscataway State NJ Location Details
The is located on the Livingston Campus of Rutgers University in suburban Piscataway, NJ, on the Northeast Corridor, with commuting access to New York City, Princeton, and Philadelphia.
Pre-employment Screenings
All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of all pre-employment screenings.
Immunization Requirements
Under Policy 100.3.1 Immunization Policy for Covered Individuals, if employment will commence during Flu Season, Rutgers University may require certain prospective employees to provide proof that they are vaccinated against Seasonal Influenza for the current Flu Season, unless the University has granted the individual a medical or religious exemption. Additional infection control and safety policies may apply. Prospective employees should speak with their hiring manager to determine which policies apply to the role or position for which they are applying. Failure to provide proof of vaccination for any required vaccines or obtain a medical or religious exemption from the University will result in rescission of a candidate's offer of employment or disciplinary action up to and including termination.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
It is university policy to provide equal employment opportunity to all its employees and applicants for employment regardless of their race, creed, color, national origin, age, ancestry, nationality, marital or domestic partnership or civil union status, sex, pregnancy, gender identity or expression, disability status, liability for military service, protected veteran status, affectional or sexual orientation, atypical cellular or blood trait, genetic information (including the refusal to submit to genetic testing), or any other category protected by law. As an institution, we encourage all qualified applicants to apply. For additional information please see the Non-Discrimination Statement at the following web address: http://uhr.rutgers.edu/non-discrimination-statement
Posting Specific Questions
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Applicant Documents
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