Founded in 1856, University of Maryland, College Park is the state’s flagship institution. Our 1,250-acre College Park campus is just minutes away from Washington, D.C., and the nexus of the nation’s legislative, executive, and judicial centers of power. This unique proximity to business and technology leaders, federal departments and agencies, and a myriad of research entities, embassies, think tanks, cultural centers, and non-profit organizations is simply unparalleled. Synergistic opportunities for our faculty and students abound and are virtually limitless in the nation’s capital and surrounding areas. The University is committed to attracting and retaining outstanding and diverse faculty and staff that will enhance our stature of preeminence in our three missions of teaching, scholarship, and full engagement in our community, the state of Maryland, and in the world.

Offers of employment are contingent on completion of a background check. Information reported by the background check will not automatically disqualify you from employment.

Dr. Sheena Erete and Dr. Vanessa Frias Martinez are recruiting a postdoctoral researcher who will join a collaborative NSF-funded research to work on the design, development, and evaluation of civic technologies for economically disadvantaged and marginalized communities in Baltimore City and Prince George’s County.

Responsibilities:
The postdoctoral researcher will have the opportunity to conduct research and scholarship to (1) design tech tools that allow communities to identify and overcome access barriers in their transportation and food systems; (2) identify the processes that allow communities to conduct data-mediated conversations with key stakeholders to improve the quality of the transportation and food systems in their communities, and (3) evaluate the effect of the use of tech tools in improving access to and quality of transportation and food systems in their communities, while controlling for potential societal harms.
The postdoctoral researcher will also be able to co-mentor graduate and undergraduate students working in the NSF-funded research.

The salary is $80K per year, plus competitive benefits. The duration is one year with the possibility to extend to a second year.

The postdoctoral researcher will be located at the University of Maryland, a top public research university located outside Washington, D.C., in College Park, Maryland. The researcher will be able to interact with other postdocs at the Values-Centered AI Initiative (VCAI), Community Research, Equity, and Design Lab (CReED), and the Human-Computer Interaction Lab (HCIL). An important requirement of this position is that the postdoctoral student should be willing and able to visit communities in and around Baltimore City and Prince George’s County to carry out focus groups, interviews and meetings that will inform research.

Experience:

For full consideration, please submit all application materials by May 15. Required materials include a Curriculum Vitae, research statement, two (2) samples of written work showcasing your scientific writing, and the names and email addresses of three references, who will be contacted by email. Expected start date is September 2024, with some flexibility. For questions, please contact Dr. Erete and Dr. Frias Martinez at serete@umd.edu and vfrias@umd.edu.

Offers of employment are contingent on completion of a background check. Information reported by the background check will not automatically disqualify you from employment.

The University of Maryland, College Park, an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action; all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, age, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, creed, marital status, political affiliation, personal appearance, or on the basis of rights secured by the First Amendment, in all aspects of employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.