Postdoctoral Research Associate

Purdue University • West Lafayette, IN

38d • $65,000

About The Position

The Center for American Political History, Media, and Technology (CAPT) invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Fellow specializing in research at the intersection of media, politics, and technology in modern America. This is a two-year, full-time, 12-month position beginning between July 1 and September 1, 2026. Candidates must have a Ph.D. in hand by the start date. As part of Purdue University's Center for American Political History, Media, and Technology (CAPT), this Postdoctoral Research Fellow will work with CAPT Director Kathryn Cramer Brownell, CAPT Associate Director Jennifer Hoewe, and the CAPT Faculty Fellows to pursue interdisciplinary research that advances CAPT's mission to better understand the past, present, and future of American democracy in the modern information age. This Fellow will also help develop broader CAPT programming plans, grant applications, and public engagement initiatives. The successful applicant will have the opportunity to pursue original research commensurate with their own background and interests and will also be invited to join existing CAPT scholarly and public-facing projects. Specific duties will include the following: pursuing a scholarly research project related to CAPT's mission, assisting with existing and ongoing research projects run through CAPT and its affiliated research lab, the Purdue Research in Media Effects (PRIME) Lab, crafting a public engagement initiative, grant writing, and participating in the intellectual life of the CAPT, the College of Liberal Arts, Purdue University, and the broader community. The position has an annual salary of $65,000 and is benefits eligible.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in communication, media, American history, American studies, political science, information studies, sociology, and/or psychology, specializing in political communication
• evidence of potential for producing peer-reviewed publications and contributing to the development of funded research

Nice To Haves

• An engaged scholar with experience in grant writing and program building.

Responsibilities

• pursuing a scholarly research project related to CAPT's mission
• assisting with existing and ongoing research projects run through CAPT and its affiliated research lab, the Purdue Research in Media Effects (PRIME) Lab
• crafting a public engagement initiative
• grant writing
• participating in the intellectual life of the CAPT, the College of Liberal Arts, Purdue University, and the broader community

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Industry: Educational Services
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees