The Positive Psychology Center at the University of Pennsylvania seeks a Postdoctoral Fellow to begin in the Summer or Fall 2014, for one to three years. The fellow will help implement a grant awarded by the John Templeton Foundation to the National Philanthropic Trust (NPT) on the psychology of imagination. The fellow will work with Dr. Martin E. P. Seligman as well as other members of our research team. In addition, the fellow will interact with senior scientists on the scientific advisory board for this grant. The fellow will be housed at the University of Pennsylvania’s Positive Psychology Center.
The fellow’s main responsibilities include planning research meetings attended by creative leaders in a variety of fields. To that end, the fellow will implement the following tasks: selecting and recruiting participants, overseeing meeting preparation and logistics, developing interview and research procedures (including qualitative and quantitative assessments), managing and analyzing data, as well as writing up articles and/or books summarizing findings of meetings in collaboration with other members of the research team.
In addition, the fellow will have the opportunity to continue developing his or her independent research program related to the psychology of imagination, broadly defined as the mental representations (visual, verbal, and auditory) of things that are not present to the senses. Research by the fellow can include investigations of imagination, prospection, original thinking, creativity, and innovation, among other constructs. Research by the fellow may involve examinations of determinants, measurement, and enhancement of imagination-related abilities, among other topics. The fellow’s scientific work can be in the area of neuroscience, clinical, cognitive, social, or personality psychology, and can take place in the laboratory or doing fieldwork.
Experience with qualitative and quantitative research design, advanced statistics, as well as strong writing abilities and publication record is required for this position. Individuals with a Ph.D. in psychology are encouraged to apply. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Please send a CV, statement of interest (two pages maximum), 2 reprints/preprints, and at least 3 letters of recommendation to: Jeanette Elstein at elsteinj@psych.upenn.edu. The University of Pennsylvania is an EOE/Affirmative Action Employer.
