PostDocs for Metaknowledge Network

The Metaknowledge Network, a multi-university research network, invites applications for two Postdoctoral Scholar positions. Both postdoctoral scholars will be based at the associated Knowledge Lab within the Computation Institute at the University of Chicago (www.uchicago.edu), one of the leading research universities in the United States. Each position will be for 3 years, contingent on annual reappointment.

Metaknowledge research is an exciting new interdisciplinary field that blends Big Data, complex systems methods, and computational social science with sociological, anthropological, historical, and philosophical approaches in order to develop "knowledge about knowledge" (see J.A. Evans and J.G. Foster, Science  331, 721 (2011)). The Network will investigate the knowledge-making processes that give current knowledge its shape and limits, and thereby develop new approaches to go beyond those limits and address new questions. Recent metaknowledge projects by Network scholars have mapped the changing structure of science, explored the role of teamwork in scientific success, shown the surprising role of industry funding in sponsoring innovative basic research, demonstrated how early results distort the interpretation of subsequent findings, and identified biases and created model-based corrections for errors in data production (e.g., microarrays).

The position requires exceptional skills in computational or quantitative research and interdisciplinary scholarship. The Postdoctoral Scholars will collaborate with members of the network to gather, organize, and analyze data about knowledge-making processes in a variety of disciplines and domains. Network projects will explore questions about the nature of exceptional scientific achievement, the character of highly generative ideas, and the role of research traditions and unstated assumptions or folk theories in shaping scientific research. The Postdoctoral Scholars will participate in the construction and analysis of rich models of the social dynamics of knowledge creation. They will also participate in

writing related articles, targeting both disciplinary and interdisciplinary publication venues. The Postdoctoral Scholars will work closely with leading natural, computational, and social scientists, with expertise ranging from the sociology of science and the meta-analysis of medical research to complex systems and machine learning. Network members are on the faculty of Duke, Harvard, Northwestern, Princeton, Stanford, the University of Washington, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and UCLA, and include many of the founders and leaders of this exciting interdisciplinary area. The successful candidate will be an energetic, creative scholar with the ability to communicate and collaborate across disciplinary lines.

Minimum qualifications for this position are a PhD or expected PhD (by Summer 2013) in applied mathematics, computer science, computational social science, computational biology, informatics, physics, complex systems, or related disciplines; strong quantitative and computational skills; an excellent academic record, with evidence of considerable research promise; excellent written and verbal communication skills; and a record of successful teamwork and collaboration. Preference will be given to candidates with extensive experience in interdisciplinary research; demonstrated interest in research related to metaknowledge; previous experience working on social scientific questions; and previous postdoctoral experience in relevant areas. Women and members of underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply. An open mind and commitment to the broad goals of the Metaknowledge Network are a must.

Interested candidates must send the following to knowledge.lab.chicago@gmail.com : 

1. cover letter, describing your interest in and qualifications for pursuing interdisciplinary research in general and metaknowledge research in particular;
2. curriculum vitae (including publications list); 
3. description of your research interests and broad research trajectory (max. 2 pages), discussing how those interests intersect with those of the network; 
4. contact information for three or more scholars who know your work and are willing to write letters of reference; 
5. one or more papers you have written in English, either published or unpublished.

We will accept applications from January through March 31, 2013 or until the position in filled and plan to interview promising candidates as applications arrive. We expect the scholars to begin their appointments on or around Summer 2013.

Compensation includes a competitive salary and benefits plan.