Postdoc: Cross-Cultural Cooperation & Well-Being

University of Arizona; Tucson (AZ); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Paid vacation

Tuition reduction

Job summary

University of Arizona in Tucson invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate in Psychology. The role involves administering studies, analyzing data, and leading publications from two projects on interdependence, cooperation, and well‑being among the Mayangna of Northern Nicaragua, with opportunities for fieldwork.

You will collaborate with faculty and graduate students, gain mentorship and professional development, and contribute to cross-cultural research at the Department of

Qualifications

• PhD in Psychology, Anthropology, or related field.
• Experience in cooperation/prosocial behavior preferred.
• Ability to conduct fieldwork in Northern Nicaragua preferred.

Responsibilities

• Project and data administration.
• Design and conduct online and in-person studies.
• Disseminate findings through presentations and publications.
• Collaborate with faculty and graduate students on ongoing projects.

Skills

Statistics (SEM, multilevel, longit.,

Education

Doctoral degree in Psychology or related field

Job description

Postdoctoral Research Associate, Department of Psychology

Postdoctoral Research Associate, Department of Psychology

Posting Number req27264

Department Psychology

Department Website Link https://psychology.arizona.edu/

Location Tucson Campus

Address Tucson, AZ USA

Position Highlights

The University of Arizona's Department of Psychology invites you to apply to the role of Postdoctoral Research Associate. The Postdoctoral Researcher will help administer studies, analyze data, and lead publications stemming primarily from two projects: (1) links among sources of interdependence (e.g., kinship, shared meals, labor), perceived shared fate, cooperation (e.g., self-reports, Trust Game, Dictator Game), social integration (e.g., ego-centric network survey of received support), and physical (e.g., BMI, blood-level glucose, food insecurity) as well as mental (i.e., loneliness, anxiety, depression, happiness, life satisfaction) well-being among the Mayangna of Northern Nicaragua, an indigenous people who rely primarily on horticulture for subsistence. (2) A large cross-cultural survey examining links among sources of interdependence, perceived shared fate, and cooperation across relationships. Together, these projects aim to uncover the cognitive architecture of positive fitness interdependence, its cross-cultural generalizability/variability, and its potential consequences for well-being. The Postdoctoral Researcher will also collaborate on other ongoing projects, gain mentorship and professional development, as well as co-mentor graduate and undergraduate students.

The Postdoctoral Researcher will have the opportunity to conduct fieldwork in Bosawas biosphere reserve of Northern Nicaragua during field visits as assigned for less than 8 weeks within a calendar year. This is a remote area with little-to-no Internet access, and no basic services (e.g., water, sewage, trash, electricity, etc.). The ability to conduct this fieldwork is preferred, but not required.

The Department of Psychology, part of the School of Mind, Brain, and Behavior (MBB) within the College of Science, is committed to advancing our strengths in scientific research and science-based training. Psychology is inherently interdisciplinary, and our faculty, staff, and students actively collaborate with other MBB programs and departments - including Neuroscience, Cognitive Science, and Speech, Language and Hearing Science - as well as a wide range of academic units across campus. Through innovative, multidisciplinary research, we advance the understanding of the mind and brain, promote successful development and aging, and develop innovative approaches to optimizing mental health. By engaging and mentoring students, we prepare the next generation of scientists, scholars, and leaders in society. We invite you to join a team of dedicated researchers, educators, and innovators working together to shape the future of psychological science.

Outstanding U of A benefits include health, dental, vision, and life insurance; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; U of A/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; access to U of A recreation and cultural activities; and more!

The University of Arizona has been recognized for our innovative work-life programs. For more information about working at the University of Arizona and relocations services, please click here .

Duties & Responsibilities

DUTIES ANDRESPONSIBILITIES:

• Project/data administration.
• Designing and conducting new on-line and in-person studies.
• Disseminations of findings through presentations and publications.
• Collaboration with other researchers including faculty and graduate students on ongoing projects.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Strong skills in statistics (e.g., SEM, multi-level models, longitudinal data, social networks), and data visualization.

Minimum Qualifications

• Doctoral degree in Psychology, Anthropology, or a related field upon hire.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in the science of cooperation/prosocial behavior, and/or the evolutionary human sciences.
• Fluent in Spanish (both written and spoken).
• Ability to conduct fieldwork in Northern Nicaragua.

FLSA Exempt

Full Time/Part Time Full Time

Number of Hours Worked per Week 40

Job FTE 1.0

Work Calendar Fiscal

Job Category Research

Benefits Eligible Yes - Full Benefits

Rate of Pay NIH Salary Guidelines, Depends on Experience

Compensation Type salary at 1.0 full-time equivalency (FTE)

Type of criminal background check required: Name-based criminal background check (non-security sensitive)

Number of Vacancies 1

Target Hire Date 12/7/2026

Expected End Date

Contact Information for Candidates For additional questions, please contact Diego Guevara Beltran, Assistant Professor, at [e-mail]

Open Date 10/12/2026

Open Until Filled Yes

Documents Needed to Apply Curriculum Vitae (CV), Cover Letter, and One Additional Document

Special Instructions to Applicant Please attach the following three items with your application:

CV

Cover letter

A document providing a list of 2-3 reference contacts including email and phone number.

Notice of Availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act), each year the University of Arizona releases an Annual Security Report (ASR) for each of the University’s campuses.Thesereports disclose information including Clery crime statistics for the previous three calendar years and policies, procedures, and programs the University uses to keep students and employees safe, including how to report crimes or other emergencies and resources for crime victims. As a campus with residential housing facilities, the Main Campus ASR also includes a combined Annual Fire Safety report with information on fire statistics and fire safety systems, policies, and procedures.
Paper copies of the Reports can be obtained by contacting the University Compliance Office at [e-mail].