Research Associate - Term (50% FTE)

Date Posted: 03/16/2026
Req ID: 47255
Faculty/Division: Faculty of Arts & Science
Department: Dept of Psychology
Campus: St. George (Downtown Toronto)
Existing Vacancy: Yes

 

Description:

The Department of Psychology in the Faculty of Arts and Science, University of Toronto invites applications for the position of Research Associate (Limited Term) for an 18-month (1.5 years), 50% FTE appointment to contribute to research design, implementation, and analysis pertaining to a major research project.

 

 

The Research Associate will contribute to research design, implementation, and analysis pertaining to a research project exploring the development and maintenance of inter-group cooperation over time, and the pitfalls and impediments that lead to group fracturing, partisan competition, and violent conflict across multiple levels and scales of interaction. The successful candidate will demonstrate the ability to contribute to:

• Review of literature across sociological, psychological, cognitive, anthropological, historical, computer science, and cultural evolutionary fields
• Synthesizing diverse range of theories and empirical evidence
• Development of computational models of historical events to understand social cooperation and conflict
• Design and implementation of multi-agent reinforcement and generative AI models to simulate social events and individual cognitive / behavioural responses
• Analyzing and modelling experimental results
• Writing high-profile academic articles for publication
• Supervision and mentorship of Graduate and Undergraduate students, including developing and implementing a training & mentorship plan
• Building and supporting a diverse, supportive, and inclusive team environment

 

Education: PhD

 

Experience: 

 

• Ten (10) years of postdoctoral/research experience with demonstrated (e.g. through peer-reviewed academic publications) academic and research expertise in historical, sociological, and/or anthropological research as well as demonstrated (e.g. through peer-reviewed academic publications) experience in complexity science, cultural evolution, and computational modelling of complex societal dynamics
• Extensive (Five (5) years or more) experience with project management in an academic environment; prior experience as a Principal Investigator on funded research projects preferred
• Extensive (Five (5) years or more) experience directly supervising undergraduate- and graduate-level students
• Experience preparing manuscripts for submission to peer review publications
• Experience preparing and submitting research proposals for granting agencies; experience successfully attaining funding from competitive calls preferred
• Experience presenting research findings at meetings and conferences

 

Skills: A high level of professionalism in organization, communication, and collaborative work practices are required. Must be able to work independently and autonomously to meet project goals; this includes the ability to work well in a team setting and displaying flexibility and responsiveness to feedback.

 

Other:  A willingness to contribute actively and energetically to the project and lab procedures, including voicing concerns and needs to project team and supervisors

 

Please note: This 18-month, 50% FTE term position may be eligible for renewal subject to funding availability.

 

Closing Date: 03/24/2026, 11:59PM ET
Employee Group: Research Associate
Personnel Subarea:Research Assoc
Appointment Type: Grant - Term
Schedule: Part-Time
Pay Scale Group & Pro-rated Hiring Zone: R01 -- Research Associates (Limited Term): $26,760 - $50,175
Job Category: Research Administration & Teaching

 

Lived Experience Statement
Candidates who are members of Indigenous, Black, racialized and 2SLGBTQ+ communities, persons with disabilities, and other equity deserving groups are encouraged to apply, and their lived experience shall be taken into consideration as applicable to the posted position. 

Diversity Statement

The University of Toronto embraces Diversity and is building a culture of belonging that increases our capacity to effectively address and serve the interests of our global community. We strongly encourage applications from Indigenous Peoples, Black and racialized persons, women, persons with disabilities, and people of diverse sexual and gender identities. We value applicants who have demonstrated a commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion and recognize that diverse perspectives, experiences, and expertise are essential to strengthening our academic mission.

As part of your application, you will be asked to complete a brief Diversity Survey. This survey is voluntary. Any information directly related to you is confidential and cannot be accessed by search committees or human resources staff. Results will be aggregated for institutional planning purposes. For more information, please see ?url=http%3A%2F%2Fuoft.me%2FUP&module=jobs&id=61316" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">?url=http%3A%2F%2Fuoft.me%2FUP&module=jobs&id=61316" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://uoft.me/UP .

Accessibility Statement

The University strives to be an equitable and inclusive community, and proactively seeks to increase diversity among its community members. Our values regarding equity and diversity are linked with our unwavering commitment to excellence in the pursuit of our academic mission.

The University is committed to the principles of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). As such, we strive to make our recruitment, assessment and selection processes as accessible as possible and provide accommodations as required for applicants with disabilities.

If you require any accommodations at any point during the application and hiring process, please contact uoft.careersutoronto.ca .

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