IRiSS Predoctoral Researcher

Overview Stanford University’s School of Humanities and Sciences (H&S) is seeking Predoctoral Researchers for the 2026-2027 cohort within the Stanford Institute for Research in the Social Sciences (IRiSS). The Predoctoral Researchers will work under the general supervision of individual faculty in one of the following social science departments: communication, economics, political science, psychology, or sociology. The complete list of faculty mentors and Predoctoral Researcher projects for 2026-27 can be found on the program’s website. This is a 100% FTE 1-year fixed-term non-exempt position, with the possibility of renewal for a second year depending on funding and project circumstances. The start date is September 14, 2026, and the position will be based on the Stanford campus. IRiSS aims to expand research capacity in the social sciences, facilitate interdisciplinary collaborations, and address critical social challenges through data access, computing tools, and innovative research methods in governance, economic inequality, immigration policy, and related areas. Position Summary The Predoctoral Researchers will participate in the IRiSS 2026-2027 cohort and will work on projects within eligible departments. Predoctoral Researchers are in a staff category allowing them to enroll in one course per year for credit. Project Description Brian Knutson & Jeanne L. Tsai: Affective and Neural Contributions to the Spread of News on Social Media. The project combines functional neuroimaging (fMRI), behavioral experiments, and large-scale online sampling to study how affective responses to news headlines influence reading and reposting behavior. Tasks include viewing news headlines with varying affective content and rating reading/reposting desire; VOI analyses target NAcc, MPFC, and AIns. The predoctoral researcher will participate in study design, recruitment, data collection, stimulus implementation in PsychoPy, data analysis in R/Python, fMRI preprocessing, and neuroforecasting analyses, culminating in figures, tables, and manuscript drafts for publication. Responsibilities include: design refinement, participant recruitment coordination, data collection, experimental task implementation in PsychoPy, data cleaning and analysis, fMRI preprocessing, neuroforecasting, and preparation of publication materials. What You Will Learn End-to-end experience running a human neuroimaging study fMRI preprocessing, VOI and whole-brain analyses, and neuroforecasting/predictive modeling Advanced statistics in R Scientific writing, conference presentation, and manuscript preparation Preparation for graduate study in psychology, neuroscience, or related fields Qualifications Ideal candidates will hold a bachelor’s degree in psychology, neuroscience, data science, or related fields. Strong research and writing skills, attention to detail, and ability to synthesize complex information are required. Proficiency in statistical analysis with R and familiarity with neuroimaging methods (fMRI) and PsychoPy are expected. Preferred qualifications include prior experience with fMRI preprocessing/analysis pipelines, Python programming (PsychoPy, neuroimaging workflows), and an interest in affective science, decision neuroscience, or computational social science. Education And Experience Bachelor’s degree in an applicable life science, social science, physical science, or related discipline. Degree must be received or expected by June 2026. How To Apply Please ensure the file names of uploaded documents include your name (e.g., “LASTNAME_FIRSTNAME_CV.pdf”). Submit the following via the Stanford Careers Website: Curriculum Vitae (CV) or résumé, with two recommenders College transcripts Cover letter Optional writing sample Optional background information document (IRiSS actively recruits researchers from diverse backgrounds) Application Deadline: May 31, 2026. The expected pay range is $32.45 per hour. Stanford provides a comprehensive rewards package; specifics discussed during the hiring process. Benefits and Equal Opportunity Stanford is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other protected characteristics. Schedule: Full-time; Job Code: 4270; Employee Status: Fixed-Term; Grade: E; Requisition ID: 109282; Work Arrangement: On Site. #J-18808-Ljbffr Inside Higher Ed