Postdoctoral Researcher – Quantum and Classical Dynamics of Decision Making

Position Summary
Position Overview The Postdoctoral Researcher will join an NSF -funded project developing and testing computational models of how decisions evolve over time. The project integrates quantum and classical (Markov) approaches within an open-systems framework to investigate when decision dynamics exhibit interference coherence decoherence and more classical stochastic accumulation. The position will be jointly mentored by Dr. Tim Pleskac and Dr. Jerome Busemeyer with the postdoc taking a leading role in theory development computational modeling and experimental tests of the models. The position is based at Indiana University Bloomington with opportunities to collaborate across IUs strong communities in mathematical psychology judgment and decision making cognitive science and quantitative modeling. This postdoctoral appointment is full-time and on-campus. Job Duties 80% Research Develop computational models of dynamic judgment and decision making using quantum probability open-system dynamics and classical Markov processes. Derive and test behavioral predictions that distinguish quantum classical and intermediate open-system dynamics including predictions about the time course of evidence and preference evolution. Design and analyze behavioral experiments that probe dynamic decision processes including interference oscillation response-time and evidence-accumulation phenomena. Implement simulation parameter-estimation and model-comparison methods in Python MATLAB R or related computational environments. Lead and co-author manuscripts conference presentations and other dissemination of project findings. 10% Project Management Work directly with the PIs to ensure efficient progress toward project objectives. Coordinate research tasks across graduate students undergraduate research assistants and collaborating researchers. Maintain reproducible modeling simulation data-analysis and documentation workflows. 10% Other Duties Participate in lab meetings mentoring of junior researchers grant-related activities and other project duties as needed. Work Environment The postdoc will be embedded in the rich cognitive and mathematical psychology research communities at Indiana University. The researcher will work closely with Drs. Pleskac and Busemeyer and benefit from Indiana Universitys long-standing strengths in mathematical psychology decision science and quantum cognition. Appointment Details Anticipated Start Date: January 1 2027 (negotiable) Salary: $60000 benefits Work Schedule: Full-time on-campus Supervisors: Dr. Tim Pleskac and Dr. Jerome Busemeyer Initial Appointment: 1 year with expectation of renewal for a second year based on performance and funding