Careers
Openings:
Postdoctoral Fellow in Computational Social Science: Visual Media in Online Political Engagement
Position Start Date: September 2024
Application Deadline: May 30, 2024
The University of Maryland Institute for Advanced Computer Studies (UMIACS) invites applications for a postdoctoral fellowship focused on the role of visual media in online political engagement. This position offers an opportunity to research the intersection of computational social science, political science, and computer vision/AI. The selected candidate will join Assistant Professor Cody Buntain’s research team, which focuses on understanding how visual narratives influence political discourse and behavior on digital platforms as part of larger efforts to enhance the online information space.
Key responsibilities will include:
• Conducting innovative research using computational methods to analyze visual content (images and videos) across various online platforms
• Developing and applying machine learning models for image recognition, and pattern detection in political visual media
• Collaborating with interdisciplinary teams including computer scientists, sociologists, and political scientists to integrate visual media analysis with broader socio-political contexts
• Contributing to the development of digital tools for the real-time tracking and analysis of political imagery on social media
• Authoring and co-authoring scholarly papers, presenting findings at international conferences, and participating in workshops and seminars
Qualifications:
• Ph.D. in computational social science, political science, computer science, data science, or a related field with a strong computational component. Candidates who have recently defended their doctoral thesis or expect to do so by the fellowship start date are encouraged to apply
• Demonstrated experience in programming languages (e.g., Python, R) and machine learning frameworks (e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch)
• Experience with image processing and analysis tools (e.g., OpenCV) and familiarity with social media APIs for data collection
• Strong analytical skills, with a proven track record of working with large datasets and conducting quantitative research
• Excellent writing and communication skills, with the ability to present complex information clearly to both academic and non-academic audiences
• A collaborative spirit, with a willingness to engage in interdisciplinary research and contribute to a team environment
Application Process:
Interested candidates should submit the following documents electronically to Cody Buntain, [email protected]
• A cover letter detailing research interests and fit for the position
• A curriculum vitae, including a list of publications
• A research proposal (max. 3 pages) outlining a potential project on visual media in online political engagement
• Contact information for three references
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Maryland Cybersecurity Center, Multiple tenured and/or tenure- track faculty positions
University of Maryland Institute for Advanced Computer Studies (UMIACS)
Maryland Cybersecurity Center (MC2) has openings for multiple tenured and/or tenure-track faculty positions in cybersecurity and privacy, broadly defined. Strong candidates will be considered in all areas of cybersecurity and privacy. Candidates with interdisciplinary backgrounds connecting security and privacy to other domains are strongly encouraged to apply. Successful applicants will have a tenure home either with the Department of Computer Science or the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Maryland and will also have a joint appointment at the University of Maryland Institute for Advanced Computer Studies (UMIACS). The Maryland Cybersecurity Center is committed to building a diverse faculty pre-eminent in its mission of research, education, and service to the community: we strive to create an inclusive environment where every member of our community feels that they belong and are empowered to reach their full potential. We especially encourage applications from women and underrepresented minorities. In addition, candidates who have experience and/or interest engaging with a diverse range of faculty, staff, and students in promoting and fostering inclusivity are encouraged to discuss their perspectives on these subjects in the application materials.
The Maryland Cybersecurity Center and the departments of Computer Science and Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Maryland are consistently ranked in the top 15 among U.S.-based institutions. In 2019, the Maryland Cybersecurity Center moved into its new state-of-the-art facility, the Brendan Iribe Center for Computer Science and Engineering. Additional information about the Maryland Cybersecurity Center, the Department of Computer Science, the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and UMIACS is available at https://www.cyber.umd.edu/, https://www.cs.umd.edu, https://www.ece.umd.edu, and at https://www.umiacs.umd.edu. Information about the university’s work and family policies can be found at https://go.umd.edu/workfamily.
Please apply online here (position number 105032).