Postdoctoral Researcher – Quantum and Classical Dynamics of Decision Making

Indiana University Bloomington; Bloomington (IN); On-site; USD 51,000 - 69,000; Full time

Job summary

Indiana University Bloomington's Psychological & Brain Sciences invites applications for a Postdoctoral Researcher in Quantum and Classical Dynamics of Decision Making. Based at IU Bloomington, the role focuses on NSF-funded project integrating quantum probability with open-systems models to study how decisions evolve. You will develop theory, run computational models in Python, MATLAB, or R, test predictions, and collaborate with Dr.

Tim Pleskac and Dr. Jerome Busemeyer.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. preferably in Psychology or Cognitive Science, but strong candidates in CS, Physics, or related quantitative fields will be considered.
• Demonstrated expertise in mathematical or computational modeling and dynamical systems.
• Proficiency in Python, MATLAB, or R.
• Strong quantitative, analytic, and scientific writing skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop computational models of dynamic judgment and decision making using quantum probability, open-system dynamics, and classical Markov processes.
• Derive and test behavioral predictions that distinguish quantum, classical, and intermediate open-system dynamics.
• Design and analyze behavioral experiments probing dynamic decision processes, including interference and evidence-accumulation.
• Implement simulation, parameter-estimation, and model-comparison methods in Python, MATLAB, or related environments.
• Lead and co-author manuscripts, conference presentations, and dissemination of project findings.

Skills

Python

MATLAB

R

Computational modeling

Dynamical systems

Scientific writing

Education

Ph.D. in Psychology or Cognitive Science

Tools

Python

MATLAB

R

Job description

Posting Details

Position Details

Title

Postdoctoral Researcher – Quantum and Classical Dynamics ofDecision Making

Appointment Status

Non-Tenure Track

Department

IU Bloomington Psychological & Brain Sciences

Location

Bloomington

Position Summary

Position Overview

The Postdoctoral Researcher will join an NSF -funded projectdeveloping and testing computational models of how decisions evolveover time. The project integrates quantum and classical (Markov)approaches within an open-systems framework to investigate whendecision dynamics exhibit interference, coherence, decoherence, andmore classical stochastic accumulation. The position will bejointly mentored by Dr. Tim Pleskac and Dr. Jerome Busemeyer, withthe postdoc taking a leading role in theory development,computational modeling, and experimental tests of the models.

The position is based at Indiana University Bloomington, withopportunities to collaborate across IU’s strong communities inmathematical psychology, judgment and decision making, cognitivescience, and quantitative modeling.

This postdoctoral appointment is full-time and on-campus.

Job Duties

• Develop computational models of dynamic judgment and decisionmaking using quantum probability, open-system dynamics, andclassical Markov processes.
• Derive and test behavioral predictions that distinguishquantum, classical, and intermediate open-system dynamics,including predictions about the time course of evidence andpreference evolution.
• Design and analyze behavioral experiments that probe dynamicdecision processes, including interference, oscillation,response-time, and evidence-accumulation phenomena.
• Implement simulation, parameter-estimation, andmodel-comparison methods in Python, MATLAB, R, or relatedcomputational environments.
• Lead and co-author manuscripts, conference presentations, andother dissemination of project findings.

• Work directly with the PIs to ensure efficient progress towardproject objectives.
• Coordinate research tasks across graduate students,undergraduate research assistants, and collaboratingresearchers.
• Maintain reproducible modeling, simulation, data-analysis, anddocumentation workflows.

• Participate in lab meetings, mentoring of junior researchers,grant-related activities, and other project duties as needed.

Work Environment

The postdoc will be embedded in the rich cognitive and mathematicalpsychology research communities at Indiana University. Theresearcher will work closely with Drs. Pleskac and Busemeyer andbenefit from Indiana University’s long-standing strengths inmathematical psychology, decision science, and quantumcognition.

Appointment Details

• Anticipated Start Date: January 1, 2027 (negotiable)
• Salary: $60,000 + benefits
• Work Schedule: Full-time, on-campus
• Supervisors: Dr. Tim Pleskac and Dr. Jerome Busemeyer
• Initial Appointment: 1 year, with expectation of renewal for asecond year based on performance and funding

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D. preferably in Psychology or Cognitive Science, but wewill also consider strong candidates in Computer Science, Physics,or a related quantitative fields by the start date.
• Demonstrated expertise in mathematical or computationalmodeling and dynamical systems.
• Proficiency in either Python, MATLAB, R, or a comparablescientific programming environment.
• Strong quantitative, analytic, and scientific writingskills.

Department Contact for Questions

Questions may be sent to: Dr. Tim Pleskac([e-mail])

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience or strong interest in quantum cognition.
• Background in stochastic processes, Markov models, dynamicalsystems, quantum walks, or related mathematical approaches.
• Experience with computational model fitting, Bayesianinference, simulation, or formal model comparison.
• Experience designing or analyzing experiments in judgment anddecision making, evidence accumulation, or response-timedynamics.
• Ability to move between mathematical theory, computationalimplementation, and empirical testing.
• Interest in interdisciplinary work at the intersection ofcognitive science, mathematical psychology, decision theory, andquantum-inspired modeling.

Posting Number

IU-101666-2026