Postdoctoral Research Scholar in Science Communication

Arizona State University; West Valley City (UT); On-site; USD 80,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Arizona State University’s School of Social & Behavioral Sciences invites applications for a postdoctoral scholar in science communication as part of the Civic Science Fellows program, based at ASU’s West Valley campus. The 18-month appointment offers a salary range of $80,000–$85,000, with opportunities to develop curricular modules and engage with community partners to translate research into practice.

The successful candidate will strengthen community-centered science communication,

Qualifications

• Ph.D. or terminal degree in communication or a related field.
• The candidate must be within five years from receipt of the doctoral degree.
• Experience in science communication, civic science, public engagement with science, strategic communication, or related areas.

Responsibilities

• Conduct Research
• Communicate research with non-expert audiences
• Create educational materials

Skills

Strong communication

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Public engagement

Education

PhD or terminal degree in communication

Job description

The School of Social & Behavioral Sciences, part of the New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences at Arizona State University (ASU) invites applications for a postdoctoral scholar position in science communication as part of the Civic Science Fellows program (https://civicsciencefellows.org/), supported by the Rita Allen Foundation. The Civic Science Fellows program is a cohort-based initiative that supports emerging leaders in bridging scientific research with real-world civic impact. The successful candidate will focus on strengthening community-centered science communication and public engagement with science in Arizona. Working collaboratively with ASU faculty and community partners, the postdoctoral scholar will co-develop and conduct applied social science research examining how scientists, institutions, and communities can engage more effectively, build durable trust, and support informed and inclusive decision-making.

The School of Social & Behavioral Sciences offers a highly interdisciplinary environment that brings together scholars working across communication, psychology, sociology, political science, and related fields to address complex social challenges and generate public value. The postdoctoral scholar will be affiliated with the School’s Science Communication Initiative, an interdisciplinary effort focused on advancing the research and practice of science communication and public engagement.

The postdoctoral scholar will have opportunities to conduct and disseminate applied research, develop partnerships with community organizations and other stakeholders, and translate research findings into practice. The scholar will also contribute to the development of curricular modules for ASU’s emerging science communication programs, using findings from their research and engagement activities to create educational resources emphasizing real-world application, ethical reflection, and community partnership. Additional activities may include developing workshops, toolkits, reports, or other resources for academic, practitioner, and community audiences and presenting project findings at professional conferences.

The position will be in-person on ASU’s West Valley campus. It is an 18-month fiscal year appointment with an annual salary range of $80,000-$85,000.

About The New College Of Interdisciplinary Arts And Sciences

At ASU’s New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences, we take pride in breaking down disciplinary barriers, cultivating an environment where innovative research flourishes. Our faculty are not just educators; they are trailblazers in their fields, consistently expanding the frontiers of knowledge. We invite you to join this dynamic community, where you will lead and engage in pioneering projects that redefine academic excellence.

Our interdisciplinary approach offers you unparalleled opportunities for personal and professional growth. By joining our faculty, you’re not just advancing your career; you’re shaping the future of education and research in meaningful ways. You’ll be empowered to innovate and address complex global challenges, all while preparing the next generation of leaders. We are committed to supporting and guiding you throughout your academic journey, ensuring that your contributions are impactful and transformative. For more information visit us at https://newcollege.asu.edu/.

New College is located on ASU’s West Valley campus, blending a liberal arts and sciences education with 21st-century workforce preparation and a learning hub for students of all ages and backgrounds supporting the rapid growth of its surrounding 14 communities. Integrating modern amenities with the natural beauty of outdoor spaces, the West Valley campus offers over 125 undergraduate and graduate degree programs across business, engineering, education, and the New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences.

About Arizona State University

Arizona State University, ranked the No. 1 “Most Innovative School” in the nation by U.S. News & World Report for eleven years in succession, has forged the model for a New American University. Year after year, ASU ranks at or near the top of the list in areas that matter. ASU is a comprehensive public research institution, measured not by whom it excludes, but by whom it includes and how they succeed; advancing research and discovery of public value; and assuming fundamental responsibility for the economic, social, cultural and overall health of the communities it serves. ASU operates on the principles that learning is a personal and original journey for each student; that they thrive on experience and that the process of discovery cannot be bound by traditional academic disciplines. Through innovation and a commitment to accessibility, ASU has drawn pioneering researchers to its faculty even as it expands opportunities for qualified students, attracting some of the highest- quality students from all 50 states and more than 130 nations. To learn more about ASU, visit http://www.asu.edu.

All we do at ASU is guided and inspired by the ASU Charter, which reads:

ASU is a comprehensive public research university, measured not by whom it excludes, but by whom it includes and how they succeed; advancing research and discovery of public value; and assuming fundamental responsibility for the economic, social, cultural and overall health of the communities it serves.

Successful candidates will demonstrate throughout their materials how their teaching, research, and service will contribute to the fulfillment of this charter.

Essential Functions Of The Position

• Conduct Research
• Communicate research with non-expert audiences
• Create educational materials

Qualifications And Characteristics

Successful candidates will be effective communicators who engage in productive scholarship and may be asked to perform duties common to academic personnel, including grant writing, mentoring students, or participating in faculty meetings.

Minimum Qualifications

• Ph.D. or terminal degree in communication or a related field at the time of appointment
• The candidate must be within five years from receipt of the doctoral degree

Desired Qualifications

• Research experience in science communication, civic science, public engagement with science, strategic communication, or a closely related area.
• Experience conducting applied social science research using qualitative, quantitative, or mixed methods.
• Ability to develop and maintain productive relationships with community organizations, practitioners, researchers, and other stakeholders.
• Strong written and oral communication skills, including the ability to communicate research to both scholarly and practitioner audiences.
• Ability to work effectively in interdisciplinary and collaborative environments.
• Demonstrated commitment to working successfully with students from a wide variety of socio-economic and cultural backgrounds, including first-generation college students.

This position is located at Arizona State University’s West Valley campus. All postdoctoral positions are for one year. Options for an additional year(s) of funding may be offered, depending on progress and needs of the school and/or university.