Lab Summary
The Behavioral Science for Policy Lab (BSPL) cuts across three academic units at Princeton University: (a) the Andlinger Center for Energy and the Environment within the School of Engineering and Applied Science, (b) the Science, Technology, and Environmental Policy Center within the School of Public and International Affairs, and (c) the Department of Psychology. Directed by Dr. Elke Weber, the BSPL’s mission is to put Weber’s previous research insights about the full range of human motivation and human decision processes into a broader context. Analyzing how decision makers who are embedded in social networks and their physical and social environment receive information and cues from those sources as well as feedback from the effect of their decisions. The BSPL puts a special emphasis on applying this knowledge of decision-making and motivations to climate change. There is also a special emphasis on cross-cultural studies.
Job Summary
The BSPL seeks a researcher to assist with ongoing and new research projects on various topics (see below). Depending on current needs, the researcher may assist in a systematic review of the literature on social norms (Project 1), social norm experiments involving artificial intelligence (Project 2), and the day-to-day deployment, data collection, processing, and analysis of survey data about corporate climate action and the net zero energy transition (Project 3).
This position is ideal for someone considering a research career in quantitative social science and interested in applying research to address social problems. This position also includes opportunities to learn and develop research skills and receive professional mentorship (e.g., in preparation for applying for a PhD).
This position is temporary.
Job Duties & Responsibilities
Project 1:
Assisting in conducting a systematic literature search and review on social norms.
Project 2:
Assisting in AI prompt engineering for a social norms experiment.
Supporting research projects by conducting background research, including managing the Qualtrics survey and data collection.
Project 3:
Assisting in outreach activities for an online expert survey about climate corporate action and policies.
Assisting in data management in the later stages of this project, including cleaning, processing, storage, and analysis.
Required skills / qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in psychology or similar quantitative behavioral science
- 2+ years of research experience in an academic research lab or similar
- Experience with systematic literature search and review
- Expertise in survey experiments, Qualtrics platform, and data collection
- Strong written communication skills
- Strong data analysis/visualization skills in R
- Self-motivated, highly organized, conscientious, and good team player
Preferred skills / qualifications:
- Master’s Degree in relevant field (any quantitative behavioral science)
- 2+ years of research experience in Social Psychology or a related field
- Interest and experience with AI prompt engineering
- Fluent in Mandarin for possible cross-cultural research projects
- Interest in social norms and sustainability
Application materials: Please send your CV (max. 2 pages) and a short statement (max. 1 page, preferably half a page) highlighting your fit, including interests, skills, and past research experiences, for the abovementioned three projects directly to Sandra Geiger (sandra.geiger@princeton.edu). If you have any questions about the position or the projects, you may also contact Sandra Geiger.
Be advised that you will be contacted only if there is further interest in your application. Your candidate dashboard may not display status updates for this requisition. Princeton University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. KNOW YOUR RIGHTS