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Postdoctoral Scholar (The Livescu Initiative on Neuro, Narrative and Artificial Intelligence )- Institute for Society & Genetics

Job #JPF10630
  • INSTITUTE FOR SOCIETY AND GENETICS / L&S Life Sciences / UCLA

Position overview

Salary range: UC salary scales set the minimum pay determined by rank and/or step at appointment. See Table 23. The salary range for this position is $69,073 -$82,836. “Off-scale salaries” and other components of pay, i.e., a salary that is higher than the published system-wide salary at the designated rank and step, are offered when necessary to meet competitive conditions. See campus compensation page for additional information. The University of California prohibits discrimination against or harassment of any person employed by or seeking employment with the University on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, pregnancy,1 physical or mental disability, medical condition (cancer-related or genetic characteristics), ancestry, marital status, age, sexual orientation, citizenship, or service in the uniformed services (as defined by the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994).2 University policy also prohibits retaliation against any employee or person seeking employment for bringing a complaint of discrimination or harassment pursuant to this policy or against a person who assists someone with a complaint of discrimination or harassment, or participates in any manner in an investigation or resolution of a complaint of discrimination or harassment. The University of California is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer. The University undertakes affirmative action to assure equal employment opportunity for minorities and women, for persons with disabilities, and for covered veterans.3 University policy is intended to be consistent with the provisions of applicable State and Federal laws. Inquiries regarding the University's equal employment opportunity policies may be directed to the UCLA Staff Diversity and AA/EEO Compliance Office (310) 794-0691 or email at mailsaa@saa.ucla.edu(link sends email).
Review timeline: Applications will be assessed on a rolling basis with the goal of beginning the position on Jan 1. 2026

Application Window

Open date: October 2, 2025

Next review date: Sunday, Nov 30, 2025 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.

Final date: Wednesday, Dec 31, 2025 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.

Position description

The Livescu Initiative on Neuro, Narrative and Artificial Intelligence in the Institute for Society and Genetics at UCLA invites application for a position at the level of Postdoctoral Fellow. This is a unique opportunity, funded by the Livescu Initiative, to carry out a collaboratively designed research project together with faculty, graduate students and undergraduates associated with the NNAI Initiative.

The postdoctoral scholar will work under the supervision of Professor Christopher Kelty, and with the assistance of the initiative Livescu NNAI and its Academic Coordinator. The appointment will be housed in the Division of Life Sciences; courtesy cross-appointments with other units on campus may be possible.

The chosen candidate will be expected to undertake a programme of research, designed in collaboration with the director of NNAI Livescu, on topics in the history and philosophy of AI and Cognition. The goal of this project is to work towards an ambitious, novel, and critical understanding of activity, role and purpose of thinking in an age of machine learning, cognitive and neural engineering and enhancement. Approaches that emphasize diverse forms of thought (animal cognition, ability/disability, speculative) are welcome. The topics and methods are open, but will center approaches and traditions in the humanities and humanistic social sciences.

The chosen candidate will be expected to conduct research, preferably collaboratively, advise graduate students and undergraduates as part of this project and work with scholars across disciplines (including in engineering and/or life sciences) to develop the research project, plan scholarly workshops, and disseminate information in both traditional and innovative forms.

The position is for two years, maximum. It does not include formal teaching duties. Moving expenses, and a small research and travel budget will be made available.

Responsibilities include:
• Conducting original research in collaboration with the PI, and present, and/or publish findings at relevant workshops, seminars or conferences
• Contribute to the life of UCLA through the NNAI Livescu Initiative
• Exploring innovative ways to communicate such research
• Planning and executing seminars, workshops or symposia with the assistance of the Livescu NNAI and its Academic Coordinator.

Program: https://livescu.ucla.edu/

Department: https://socgen.ucla.edu/

Qualifications

Basic qualifications

To be eligible for consideration, applicants should hold a PhD, completed at the time of application (preferably obtained within the last 5 years) in the humanities or humanistic social sciences (or evidence of a research program in such a domain).
The compensation package, including a competitive salary and fringe benefits, will be commensurate with the candidates prior research experience

Application Requirements

Document requirements

  • Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.

  • Cover Letter

  • Statement of Research & Proposed Research

  • Reference check authorization release form - Complete and upload the reference check authorization release form

  • UCLA Mission Statement - As the nation's premier public research university, UC's mission is the creation, dissemination, preservation and application of knowledge for the betterment of our global society. We have a particular responsibility to the people of the state of California which we express in the excellence of the education we provide, the impact of the research we do, the comprehensive, life-saving medical services we provide, and the public service mission we are devoted to. The University of California promotes the social mobility of its students, equips them with the tools and experience that furthers their ambitions, and regards their accomplishments across the life span as evidence of the profoundly positive impact of higher education.

    The UCLA campus has expressed these goals in its strategic plan as follows:

    Deepen our engagement with Los Angeles
    Expand our reach as a global university
    Enhance our research and creative activities
    Elevate how we teach
    Become a more effective institution

    Prompt for candidates for recruitment:

    Reflecting on your personal and professional experiences, highlight your past contributions and future commitments to advancing UCLA's mission as embodied in the 2023-28 strategic plan. These accomplishments and ambitions may be discussed in the context of describing your teaching, scholarship, and service

Reference requirements
  • 2 required (contact information only)

Two names of potential references (to be solicited after initial review of applicants)

Apply link: https://recruit.apo.ucla.edu/JPF10630

Help contact: nadine@socgen.ucla.edu

About UCLA

As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.

As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct, are currently being investigated for misconduct, left a position during an investigation for alleged misconduct, or have filed an appeal with a previous employer.

Job location

UCLA Institute for Society and Genetics 621 Charles E. Young Dr. South Box 957221, 3360 LSB Los Angeles, CA 90095-7221