The University of Washington Center for an Informed Public (CIP) invites applications for up to two CIP Postdoctoral Fellows who will be hired as Postdoctoral Scholars. 

The UW CIP is a multidisciplinary institute with a core mission to advance civic health through interdisciplinary research and education initiatives that help individuals, communities, and institutions navigate our complex information environments. Located at the University of Washington, a world-class research university in the Pacific Northwest, this Center leads programs that span research, education, policy and outreach. 

The CIP is particularly interested in studies of how platforms, AI, policy, and people influence the information we see; how information shapes values, beliefs, and identities (race, gender, class, ability, etc.); and how communities, researchers, educators, librarians, and policy makers address information challenges in support of a more informed and equitable society. We are especially interested in candidates who are pursuing questions like these across artificial intelligence, elections and democracy, information literacy, and public health. Scholars with a strong background in climate science and related disciplines who are looking to bring their expertise to information integrity and strategic influence are also encouraged to apply.

CIP Fellows will join a growing team of faculty, students, community partners, and staff all actively involved in addressing the challenges of today’s complex and dynamic information environment. Postdoctoral Fellows will be supervised by one of the Center co-founders and/or faculty, and will work on research projects in service of the Center’s mission. Fellows will have the opportunity to engage in grant writing individually and with CIP collaborators. These positions will begin as early as July 2027 and offer a two-year term. 

The UW CIP offers an exceptional opportunity to work closely with the Center’s co-founders and affiliate faculty, including sociologists, information scientists, computer scientists, and policy experts. Located in Seattle, the position also offers opportunities for engagement with scholars and industry leaders in the area. In addition to the pursuit of individual interests, Fellows will work collaboratively with affiliated faculty groups pursuing more narrowly specified projects. Fellows may pursue projects that utilize the CIP archive of large-scale social media data, as well as design and execute new data collection efforts that utilize existing research infrastructure. 

Postdoctoral Scholars are represented by UAW 4121 and are subject to the collective bargaining agreement, unless agreed exclusion criteria apply. For more information, please visit the University of Washington Labor Relations website. 

Salary and Benefits

The University of Washington offers a competitive benefits package. For information about employee benefits please visit https://hr.uw.edu/benefits/ 

Salary range: Commensurate with qualifications and experience. Minimum annual salary rates are based on the individual's Experience Level, which is determined by the number of months of postdoctoral service at any institution. See current salary scale for Postdoctoral titles at https://hr.uw.edu/labor/academic-and-student-unions/uaw-postdocs/uaw-postdoc-contract 

The base salary for this Postdoctoral Scholar position will be $6,685 to $7,800 per month ($80,220 – $93,600 per 12-month academic year), commensurate with experience and qualifications, or as mandated by a U.S. Department of Labor prevailing wage determination.

Applicants must minimally hold a PhD, JD, EdD (or foreign equivalent).

• A cover letter describing your interest in this position and names of two preferred CIP-affiliated faculty to serve as mentors during the appointment
• Curriculum vitae, including names and contact information of three references 
• A research statement describing your research agenda including your major work to date and your plans for future research (3 pages maximum)
• Two published papers, or equivalent writing samples that demonstrate expertise and fit for the position

To ensure full consideration of your application, please submit all materials no later than January 15, 2027. Priority will be given to those applications received by December 10, 2026. Up to two positions are available. Interested candidates can contact Rachel Moran at remoran@uw.edu with questions. 

We will consider candidates who have accepted tenure-track positions at another institution but with the ability to defer their start date.

You can read more about the CIP at http://cip.uw.edu.