Senior Research Scientist

Chapman University; Orange (CA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Chapman University seeks a Senior Research Scientist in Orange, California. This role involves conducting advanced research on agency, intentions, and artificial intelligence, requiring a Ph.D. and postdoctoral experience. The scientist will design studies, manage data analysis, and publish findings. Key qualifications include expertise in philosophical and psychological research and proficiency with statistical tools like MATLAB and R. Strong writing and presentation skills are essential for this position.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Philosophy, Psychology, Neuroscience, or a related field.
• 1+ year of postdoctoral research experience.
• 5+ peer-reviewed publications in recognized journals.

Responsibilities

• Conduct advanced scientific research investigating agency, intentions, and AI.
• Design and conduct research studies, perform complex data analysis.
• Publish findings in peer-reviewed journals.

Skills

Advanced understanding of inferential statistical methods and neurophysiological data analysis

Excellent scientific writing and public presentation skills

Experience with MATLAB for experiment design

Proficiency in setting up electrophysiological equipment

Ability to work independently

Education

Ph.D. in Philosophy, Psychology, Neuroscience, or a related field

Tools

MATLAB

JASP

R

Job description

Position Title: Senior Research Scientist

Position Type: Limited-Term

Job Number: SA79124

Full or Part Time: full-time 40 hours weekly

Fair Labor Standard Act Classification: Exempt

Anticipated Pay Range: $85,000 - $90,000

Pay Range Information: Chapman University is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this position. This range takes into account a variety of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions, including experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. Salary offers are determined based on the final candidate’s qualifications and experience, as well as internal equity and other internal factors. The anticipated pay range is not a promise of a particular wage.

Job Description Summary: Senior Researcher Scientist will conduct advanced scientific research investigating the area of agency, intentions, and artificial intelligence. The position requires high-level expertise in philosophy, psychology, neuroscience, and artificial intelligence research, with an emphasis on the study of intentions. Key responsibilities include designing and conducting research studies, performing complex data analysis, publishing findings in peer-reviewed journals, applying for grants and other funding, supervising junior researchers, and assisting with the scientific aspects of professional meetings and events. This position requires a Ph.D. in Philosophy, Psychology, or Neuroscience as well as postdoctoral training. It represents a specialty occupation requiring a combination of highly advanced and domain-specific theoretical and practical knowledge.

Conceptual Analysis of AI Systems

Project objective: to describe, evaluate, and improve the definitions of the key terms used in describing the alignment of AI systems with human values and goals.

• Describe the way these key terms are defined in AI research and related fields. Evaluate how well these definitions serve their function. Improve the definitions so that they serve their function better.
• Supervise a team collecting and classifying these definitions in AI research and related fields.
• Supervise and direct conceptual analyses of the results to refine the definitions.
• Prepare and submit research reports and a manuscript for peer-reviewed publication.
• Help write grants and other funding requests on this broad topic.

Development of a Benchmark for Agency and Intentionality in AI

Project objective: To develop a benchmark based on multidisciplinary input, designed to rate how well AI agents perform activities requiring agency and intentionality.

• Provide theoretical input into the benchmark development.
• Contribute to implementation and analysis of the benchmark prototypes.
• Prepare reports and submit research findings for peer-reviewed publication.
• Help write grants and other funding requests on this broad topic.

Outreach and Event Organization within the Agency, Intentions, and Artificial Intelligence Consortium

Project objective: Support the continuing interdisciplinary collaboration between neuroscientists, philosophers, and AI researchers to investigate intentions in artificial intelligence models and their relation to intentions in biological systems.

• Contribute to event organization with focus on the composition of their scientific program.
• Contribute scientific expertise in workshops, symposia, and talks.
• Assist with organization of educational events for a broader audience (workshops, summer schools).
• Help write grants and other funding related to this area.

Laboratory and Collaborative Responsibilities

In addition to project-specific work, the employee will assume other research and mentorship responsibilities in the lab:

• Provide technical support for the setup and operation of specialized lab equipment, including electroencephalography equipment.
• Present research findings at academic conferences and meetings, and help more junior lab members prepare for conferences and meetings.
• Assist in the scientific aspects of planning and coordination of academic workshops, symposia, and lab events.
• Co-mentor and help supervise undergraduate research assistants, Postbac researchers, and graduate students providing training in experimental design, equipment usage, data collection, data analysis, and coding as well as preparing posters and publications.

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Philosophy, Psychology, Neuroscience, or a related field.
• 1+ year of postdoctoral research experience in philosophy, psychology, or neuroscience.
• 5+ peer-reviewed publications in recognized scientific journals.
• Experience with MATLAB for experiment design and JASP or R for statistical analysis.
• Advanced understanding of inferential statistical methods and neurophysiological data analysis.
• Proficiency in setting up and using electrophysiological equipment (e.g., EEG systems).
• Excellent scientific writing and public presentation skills.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple research tasks

Desired Qualifications

• Experience supervising or mentoring research assistants or students

Special Instructions to Applicants

Chapman University is an equal opportunity employer that provides equal employment opportunities to all individuals, regardless of their protected characteristics. All qualified applicants and employees are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition or military and veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law.

Applicants for Staff and Administrator positions must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.

The offer of employment is contingent upon satisfactory completion and outcomes of a criminal background screening and returning to the Office of Human Resources a signed original acceptance of the Chapman University Agreement to Arbitrate.

Minimum Number of References: 2

Maximum Number of References: 3