The new Center for Analytical Approaches to Social Innovation (CAASI) at the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs (GSPIA) at University of Pittsburgh is accepting applications for a two-year postdoctoral fellow position for 2020-2022. Candidate should have a strong background in mathematical modeling and be passionate about improving social good service delivery. Knowledge of computational, empirical, or experimental methods is highly valued. The first year of the postdoc will be partly funded by an NSF grant and will involve market design work on an innovative transit market (PittSmartLiving).
The broader goal of the center is to connect mathematical social science research more closely to practical issues in serving vulnerable populations. Some of CAASI activities in support of this goal include hosting the 2020 NBER Decentralization conference on theme of Mechanism Design for Vulnerable Populations and organizing university-wide applied theory reading group involving PhD students from Economics, AI, and Public Policy. We have projects at different stages with worker unions (PittWageStudy), non-profits serving the previously incarcerated, human services emergency hotlines (United Way 211), and Pittsburgh open data portal (WPRDC). We also have long standing collaborations with Pittsburgh Experimental Economics Lab, the School of Social Work, the School of Computing and Information, and the multi-institution AI-Econ research group MD4SG.
The stipend is $50k and includes employee benefits (medical, vision, dental, life insurance, transit access) as well as $1.5k per year in conference/travel funding. Funds for experiments may also be available, depending on the fit between the topic and available grants. There will be no teaching obligations but teaching can be arranged if desired by the candidate. The start date is negotiable (Summer/Fall 2020). Review of applications will begin Feb 1, 2020, and will continue until the position is filled or until April 30,2020.
The candidate should have completed or be near completion of a PhD in microeconomics, computer science or similar fields. Applications should include a curriculum vitae, copies of written work, and a motivation letter/project proposal that demonstrate an understanding of social service provision and how the candidate's expertise fills a gap in research or practice. Two letters of reference should be sent directly by the referees. Applications and request for further information can be submitted through EJM or emailed to me (linardi@pitt.edu).
Sera Linardi
Associate Professor of Economics, Graduate School of Public and International Affairs
Affiliated Faculty, Intelligent Systems Program, School of Computing and Information
Affiliated Faculty, Department of Economics, Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences
Director, Center for Analytical Approaches to Social Innovation (CAASI)
University of Pittsburgh