Postdoctoral Researcher - Public Tech Media Lab

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.

• 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.

The School of Journalism and Mass Communication

$70,000

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

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 the "Apply" button to start the application process. 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.

Tomas Dodds, Assistant Professor, doddsrojas@wisc.edu

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Employment may require a criminal background check. It may also require your references to answer questions regarding misconduct, including sexual violence and sexual harassment.

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Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background - people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, including but not limited to, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, or status as a protected veteran and other bases as defined by federal regulations and UW System policies. We promote excellence by acknowledging skills and expertise from all backgrounds and encourage all qualified individuals to apply. For more information regarding applicant and employee rights and to view federal and state required postings, visit the Human Resources Workplace Poster website.

To request a disability or pregnancy-related accommodation for any step in the hiring process (e.g., application, interview, pre-employment testing, etc.), please contact the Divisional Disability Representative (DDR) in the division you are applying to. Please make your request as soon as possible to help the university respond most effectively to you.

Employment may require a criminal background check. It may also require your references to answer questions regarding misconduct, including sexual violence and sexual harassment.

The University of Wisconsin System will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7).

The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report contains current campus safety and disciplinary policies, crime statistics for the previous 3 calendar years, and on-campus student housing fire safety policies and fire statistics for the previous 3 calendar years. UW-Madison will provide a paper copy upon request; please contact the University of Wisconsin Police Department.