Postdoctoral Researcher – Quantum and Classical Dynamics of Decision Making

Indiana University; Bloomington (IN); On-site; USD 54,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

Indiana University Bloomington in the Psychological & Brain Sciences department seeks a Postdoctoral Researcher to advance computational models of decision making that blend quantum and classical dynamics within an open-system framework.

The postdoc will lead theory development, computational modeling, and experimental tests, and will be mentored by Dr. Tim Pleskac and Dr. Jerome Busemeyer. The appointment is full-time, on-campus, with anticipated start January 1, 2027.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. preferably in Psychology or Cognitive Science, but strong candidates from related quantitative fields will be considered.
• Demonstrated expertise in mathematical or computational modeling and dynamical systems.
• Proficiency in Python, MATLAB, or R for research computing.
• 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, R, or related environments.
• Lead and co-author manuscripts, conference presentations, and other dissemination of project findings.

Skills

Python

MATLAB

R

Computational modeling

Dynamical systems

Scientific writing

Education

Ph.D. in Psychology or Cognitive Science

Tools

Bayesian inference

Model fitting

Simulation

Job description

Title Postdoctoral Researcher – Quantum and Classical Dynamics of Decision 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 project developing and testing computational models of how decisions evolve over time. The project integrates quantum and classical (Markov) approaches within an open-systems framework to investigate when decision dynamics exhibit interference, coherence, decoherence, and more classical stochastic accumulation. The position will be jointly mentored by Dr. Tim Pleskac and Dr. Jerome Busemeyer, with the postdoc taking a leading role in theory development, computational modeling, and experimental tests of the models. The position is based at Indiana University Bloomington, with opportunities to collaborate across IU’s strong communities in mathematical psychology, judgment and decision making, cognitive science, and quantitative modeling. This postdoctoral appointment is full-time and on-campus.

Job Duties

80% – Research

• 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, including predictions about the time course of evidence and preference evolution.
• Design and analyze behavioral experiments that probe dynamic decision processes, including interference, oscillation, response-time, and evidence-accumulation phenomena.
• Implement simulation, parameter-estimation, and model-comparison methods in Python, MATLAB, R, or related computational environments.
• Lead and co-author manuscripts, conference presentations, and other dissemination of project findings.

10% – Project Management

• Work directly with the PIs to ensure efficient progress toward project objectives.
• Coordinate research tasks across graduate students, undergraduate research assistants, and collaborating researchers.
• Maintain reproducible modeling, simulation, data-analysis, and documentation workflows.

10% – Other Duties

• 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 mathematical psychology research communities at Indiana University. The researcher will work closely with Drs. Pleskac and Busemeyer and benefit from Indiana University’s long-standing strengths in mathematical psychology, decision science, and quantum cognition.

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 a second year based on performance and funding

Basic Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D. preferably in Psychology or Cognitive Science, but we will also consider strong candidates in Computer Science, Physics, or a related quantitative fields by the start date.
• Demonstrated expertise in mathematical or computational modeling and dynamical systems.
• Proficiency in either Python, MATLAB, R, or a comparable scientific programming environment.
• Strong quantitative, analytic, and scientific writing skills.

Department Contact for Questions

Questions may be sent to:

Dr. Tim Pleskac ([e-mail])

Additional Qualifications

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience or strong interest in quantum cognition.
• Background in stochastic processes, Markov models, dynamical systems, quantum walks, or related mathematical approaches.
• Experience with computational model fitting, Bayesian inference, simulation, or formal model comparison.
• Experience designing or analyzing experiments in judgment and decision making, evidence accumulation, or response-time dynamics.
• Ability to move between mathematical theory, computational implementation, and empirical testing.
• Interest in interdisciplinary work at the intersection of cognitive science, mathematical psychology, decision theory, and quantum-inspired modeling.