Postdoctoral

Postdoctoral Research Position in the Identity Lab

Technology impacts all parts of human life, but we have not yet adequately designed systems to support the end of life. The Identity Lab is currently engaged in research to support people approaching and at the end of life. Whether we are considering cognitive decline or terminal illnesses, people, their families, and their support networks deserve better tools.

To better serve these people, The Identity Lab is currently seeking applications for a post-doctoral researcher for a 1-3 year appointment. This postdoc will join cross-disciplinary research teams focused on two current research efforts:

  • Supporting patients and their families in making end-of-life plans for online accounts and data through long-term, engaged participatory action research.
  • Supporting the needs of caregivers and care partners of those living with dementia (e.g., a spouse or other family member) through participatory design-informed research.

The ideal candidate would have experience and interest in participatory design, action research, and HCI research for older populations, populations at the end of life, and the social networks that support them.

We are looking for someone with the following profile:

  • A completed Ph.D. or doctoral degree with a research background in human-computer interaction, social computing, information science, technology and society, or a related field.
  • Strong research focus aimed at addressing the needs of (1) older populations, (2) individuals living with dementia and their care partners and caregivers, (3) people at the end-of-life (at various ages), and (4) the bereaved. Prior research experience in these areas is not required but strongly preferred.
  • Experience with research and design methods relevant for the planned research projects, including participatory design, action research, community-based research, as well as qualitative data collection and analysis methods. Experience with prototyping, user testing, and field studies would also be beneficial.

Additionally, the ideal candidate will have:

  • Academic ambition and curiosity, grounded in solid methodological, analytical, and theoretical foundations.
  • Strong research design skills, and the ability to communicate those designs and methods to diverse audiences.
  • The ability to take independent ownership and leadership of a project.
  • Experience in executing research projects and coordinating teamwork with a multidisciplinary team of researchers and/or practitioners.
  • Strong interest in bringing HCI and design methods to medically-focused research.
  • Previous experience in medically-focused HCI, or patient-focused research.

Funding for these initiatives will come from two sources:

The advanced planning project is focused on developing strategies and design implications to support end-of-life planning for online accounts and data. This project is an NSF-funded effort at CU Boulder in collaboration with UC Anschutz and the UC Cancer Center. The post-doc would be a member of a research team conducting participatory action research with terminal cancer patients and their support networks. They would serve as a central team member, and be involved in all aspects of the research project. This research will provide opportunities to publish in both SIGCHI and more medically-focused venues. Additionally, this project can provide opportunities for the post-doc to develop and pursue related lines of inquiry that would contribute to the broader objectives of the grant.

The caregiver support project is a multi-institutional NIH-funded project that includes people from John Hopkins, UC Anschutz, Weill-Cornell Medical Center, Harvard Medical School/Open Notes, and CU Boulder. The postdoc would be a member of a larger interdisciplinary team looking to better serve caregivers and care partners. They would serve as an HCI and participatory design expert, bringing HCI methods to support larger team goals. As a result, there will be opportunities to publish in both SIGCHI and more medically-focused venues. Additionally, this project can support opportunities for the post-doc to develop and pursue related lines of inquiry that would contribute to the broader objectives of the grant.

Due to funding restrictions, candidates must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents. The start date for the position is July 2022, but can be flexible for the right candidate.

You are encouraged to contact Prof. Jed Brubaker (jed.brubaker@colorado.edu) with questions. You can learn more about the position and apply at CU Boulder Jobs. Applications should include a CV, a cover letter describing your interests in these projects and career path, and contact information for references.