[Commlist] Vacancy: Postdoctoral Researcher in AI and Journalism - Public Tech Media Lab (UW Madison)

Job Profile:
Postdoctoral Fellow in Journalism and AI

Job Summary:
The Public Tech Media Lab is currently hiring a postdoctoral researcher 
to lead studies of artificial intelligence in journalism. Specific 
research directions would be developed with the postdoctoral scientist. 
The broad focus should be on creating AI-based systems to help 
journalists collect, analyze, and distribute news content, as well as 
engage audiences. The position is fully funded and will initially be for 
one year, with the possibility of renewal for another year. We offer a 
collaborative and international research environment, with Lab members 
and media partners from across the world, access to computational 
resources, and research funding.

The PTML seeks a postdoctoral fellow who will advance their scholarly 
projects with opportunities to participate in the vibrant intellectual 
community at UW–Madison and foster cross-campus exchange.

Key Job Responsibilities:

  *
    Appointments as postdoctoral fellows and postdoctoral trainees
    should be made only if it can be demonstrated that the appointee's
    activities are primarily for the benefit of the appointee's own
    learning and research. Otherwise, it is more appropriate to use an
    employment title such as researcher or scientist. Employment titles
    apply whenever the duties assigned are under the direct supervision
    and control of the employer and are primarily for the benefit of the
    University or granting agency. The work of individuals appointed as
    postdoctoral fellows or postdoctoral trainees should be independent
    or self-directed, subject only to such supervision as might be given
    by a teacher to a student.


  *
    These criteria do not prevent the university of the extramural
    source of funds from receiving some benefit from the appointee's
    activities. Activities still may be of value to the extramural
    grantor, or may be useful internally to the university in
    satisfaction of other grant or contract requirements. The test is
    whether the work undertaken by the appointee is a necessary and
    relevant part of the appointee's learning program. However, the
    "primary benefit" test outlined above does forbid assigning tasks to
    the appointee which are unnecessary and irrelevant to the learning
    program or are repetitive beyond that which is necessary to achieve
    excellence in the activity, even if these tasks do not constitute
    the major portion of the appointee's activities. Except in rare
    cases, stipends paid to postdoctoral fellows or trainees are not
    excludable from gross income for purposes of income tax and thus are
    fully taxable. Since such stipends are not wages, however, the
    University will not withhold taxes from monthly stipend checks.
    Therefore, trainees and fellows may be required to pay estimated
    taxes on a quarterly basis.


Department:
The School of Journalism and Mass Communication

Compensation:
$70,000

Required Qualifications:
We seek individuals who think critically, work independently, and 
approach research with rigor and precision. For this particular 
position, strong quantitative skills are a must. Other desirable 
knowledge/skills include: i) machine learning, ii) computational social 
science methods, and iii) strong writing skills

Education:
We are looking for individuals with a Ph.D. in Computer Science, Network 
Science, Communication Studies, or related fields.

How to Apply:
Qualified applicants should submit:
• Statement of Interest (2 pages maximum, single-spaced) describing how 
your research aligns with the mission of the Public Tech Media Lab.
• Postdoctoral Project Narrative (3 pages maximum). In your research 
proposal, please outline a concrete idea for a research project you 
would like to conduct in the lab and with our media partners.
• Curriculum Vitae.
• Contact information for three potential references.


Click this link to start the application 
process:https://wisconsin.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/UW_Madison/job/Madison-WI/Postdoctoral-Researcher---Public-Media-Tech-Lab_JR10007660 
<https://wisconsin.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/UW_Madison/job/Madison-WI/Postdoctoral-Researcher---Public-Media-Tech-Lab_JR10007660> 

Note: There is only one attachment field. Please compile all materials 
into a single PDF and upload in the attachment field.

The deadline to apply for this position is February 15, 2026, at 11:59 PM.

Contact Information: Tomás Dodds, Assistant Professor, (doddsrojas /at/ wisc.edu)



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