Description

Position Summary

Canine and Child Cognition Postdoctoral Scholar Vacancy

The COMPARE Lab , directed by Dr. Erica Cartmill, invites applications for a postdoctoral fellow. The COMPARE Lab studies social cognition and communication in preschool-aged children, companion dogs, and zoo-housed great apes.

This postdoctoral fellowship will focus on studies of dogs and/or children. The COMPARE lab has parallel testing facilities for companion dogs and children, including equipment for eye-tracking, thermal imaging, touch screen studies, behavioral analysis from video. There is also the possibility to conduct fMRI studies. The postdoctoral scholar should have experience in working with either children or dogs and should be interested in conducting comparative studies in both groups. There could also be opportunities to conduct research with great apes at the Indianapolis Zoo if the fellow desires.

The postdoctoral fellow will have the opportunity to connect with IU's vibrant communities in child development, cognitive science, and animal behavior. They will also be invited to join an incoming cohort of postdoctoral fellows hired through the Center for Possible Minds ( CPM ) at IU Bloomington, which Dr. Cartmill co-directs.

Fellows are expected to pursue research activities associated with their primary area(s) of scholarship, as well as to explore collaborative, interdisciplinary projects with other scholars at IU. Strong applicants will demonstrate evidence of the sort of outstanding scholarly potential that would make them competitive for tenure-track faculty positions at Indiana University or other top research universities.

Terms of Agreement

Fellows are expected to pursue research, oversee student research, and participate in the intellectual life of the lab. Fellowships are expected to be 2-year positions; fellows will be appointed as one-year contracts with the possibility for renewal. The start date is flexible; positions can begin as soon as August 1, 2025. Fellows will receive a salary of $60,000 plus health benefits.

Application Process

We invite applications from qualified candidates at the beginning of their academic careers who do not yet hold tenure-track academic positions. Applicants should submit the following materials:
(1) a cover letter; (2) their CV; (3) a research statement describing their research and professional goals; (4) a one-page statement describing activities and initiatives they hope to organize through the Center; and (5) the names of 3 referees. Applications should be submitted online at: https://indiana.peopleadmin.com/postings/29777 . Cover letters should be addressed to: Professors Erica Cartmill and Jacob Foster, Center for Possible Minds, Indiana University, 815 10th St., Bloomington, IN 47405. Please send any questions to ericac@iu.edu . Applications received by June 15, 2025 at 12:00 pm EST will receive full consideration.

Basic Qualifications

Applicants must have a Ph.D. in a relevant discipline in hand by the time they start the fellowship.

Preferred Qualifications

Preference will be given to applicants with 2+ years of experience leading research with companion dogs and/or young children.

Department Contact

Applications should be submitted online at: https://indiana.peopleadmin.com/postings/29777 . Cover letters should be addressed to: Professor Erica Cartmill and Jacob Foster, Center for Possible Minds, Indiana University, 815 10th St., Bloomington, IN 47405. Queries should be sent to ericac@iu.edu .

Basic Qualifications

Applicants must have a Ph.D. in a relevant discipline in hand by the time they start the fellowship.

Department Contact for Questions

Applications should be submitted online at: https://indiana.peopleadmin.com/postings/29777 . Cover letters should be addressed to: Professor Erica Cartmill and Jacob Foster, Center for Possible Minds, Indiana University, 815 10th St., Bloomington, IN 47405. Queries should be sent to ericac@iu.edu .

Special Instructions

We invite applications from qualified candidates at the beginning of their academic careers who do not yet hold tenure-track academic positions. Applicants should submit the following materials:
(1) a cover letter; (2) their CV; (3) a research statement describing their research and professional goals; (4) a one-page statement describing activities and initiatives they hope to organize through the Center; and (5) the names of 3 referees. Applications should be submitted online at: https://indiana.peopleadmin.com/postings/29777 . Cover letters should be addressed to: Professors Erica Cartmill and Jacob Foster, Center for Possible Minds, Indiana University, 815 10th St., Bloomington, IN 47405. Please send any questions to ericac@iu.edu . Applications received by June 15, 2025 at 12:00 pm EST will receive full consideration.