About The Role

About the Opportunity

Job Summary

Northeastern University invites applications for two open-rank faculty positions which include a period of appointment at the university’s Dublin Innovation Institute (DII ) . This is a full-time position with a two-part appointment structure in which t he successful applicant will be required to s pend up to 4 years performing research at DII before transitioning to a tenured or tenure-track role (commensurate with experience and qualifications) at Northeastern’s campus in Boston, Massachusetts, USA . While at DII, successful applicants will support the work of Northeastern University ’s Institute for Information, the Internet & Democracy to build a transatlantic research network and research agenda that contribute to the understanding of systemic risks posed by digital and information technologies to democratic societies. We therefore seek scholars whose research advances our understanding of how people acquire , process, and share information in democratic societies and/or in the service of democratic norms . We welcome applicants from a wide variety of social, scientific, and computational disciplines.

Dublin Innovation Institute

DII serves as a bridge between Northeastern University’s global network and the European research ecosystem, creating opportunities for innovative collaboration throughout the European Union and North America . One of DII’s areas of focus is build ing a trans-Atlantic research community around the themes of information, the internet, and contemporary democracy .

About Northeastern University

Established in 1898, Northeastern University stands as a leader in global experiential learning and interdisciplinary research, addressing international issues in health, security, and sustainability. Externally funded research programs and graduate Ph.D. education programs at Northeastern University have been executed for almost 80 years. Transforming into a global research university over the last two decades, Northeastern has experienced remarkable expansion through strategic collaborations with businesses, government entities, and non-profit organizations. This surge in partnerships has propelled the university's research initiatives and enriched experiential learning avenues for students across all academic levels. Through a focus on, and substantial investment in, impactful, interdisciplinary research, Northeastern University is fostering innovation in emerging fields. This approach recognizes the need for inventive configurations to comprehend intricate systems and effectively translate foundational discoveries into practical, real-world applications. Currently, Northeastern is the fifth-highest funded private research university without a medical school, a list that includes MIT, CalTech , Princeton, and Carnegie Mellon. The University has also been a leading generator of spin-out companies, a testament to its orientation to use-inspired research and faculty and professional researchers strongly engaged with the world outside academia.

Position Overview

We welcome applications from exceptional scholars from all sectors of the community who employ computational social science approaches to study information ecosystems and their implications for democratic governance. The successful candidate will contribute to our growing interdisciplinary community of scholars examining the social, political, and technological dimensions of information flows in contemporary democracies.

The successful candidate will initially be based at DII , where the focus will be exclusively on research , helping DII and Northeastern University’s Institute for Information, the Internet & Democracy build a world-class transatlantic research network . After the initial Dublin-based phase, expected to last up to four years, the appointment will transition to a tenured or tenure-track faculty role at Northeastern’s Boston , Massachusetts campus , with responsibilities that include teachin g, research, and service . A ppointment at a differen t US campus may be pos sible depending on the candi date ’s college and department of appo intment . The candidate’s academic home and faculty appointment will be determined in accordance with the candidate’s discipline, experience, qualification, and applicable university policies and processes.

It is a precondition of employment that the applicant will have or successfully obtain the right to live and work in the Republic of Ireland for the duration of their employment at DII and have the appropriate work authorization for the US portion of th e role . DII and the university will sponsor eligible candidates for the necessary work permit(s) subject to local immigration requirements.

Research Focus

The ideal candidate's research will address questions at the intersection of information acquisition and democratic processes. Of particular interest with respect to the position is a research portfolio focused on potential harms and/or approaches to mitigating harms related to digital information technologies. Demonstrated interest and engagement in translational research that informs public policy would be a plus. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:

How AI is affecting the ways in which people get civic and political information
Information exposure and political behavior in digital environments
Social media dynamics and democratic participation
Misinformation, disinformation, and their effects on public opinion
News consumption patterns and media fragmentation
Computational approaches to studying political communication
Algorithmic curation and its democratic implications
Digital platforms and civic engagement
Information networks and political polarization
Media effects on electoral processes and accountability
Public opinion formation in information-rich environments

Qualifications

Ph.D. in Political Science, Communication, Computer Science, Information Science, Computational Social Science or related fields in hand by the employment start date is required .

Documents to Submit

Applicants should submit a cover letter that addresses their interest in and qualifications for the position, a curriculum vitae, a research statement, a teaching statement, sample syllabi, evidence of teaching effectiveness with complete sets of recent student evaluations and the names and contact information for at least three individuals who can each provide a letter of recommendation.

Closing date: November 1, 2026

Please address applications by end of the day from anywhere in the world no later than November 1, 2026 , and any questions to David Lazer, Search Committee Chair, at d.lazer@northeastern.edu.

Benefits

Employee benefits associated with the DII appointment will be communicated to candidates during the interview process . Benefits associated with the Boston -based phase of the appointment are summarized below.

This search does not require assistance from recruitment agencies. Any applications made by recruitment agencies will be returned.

Pay Ranges

Assistant Professor: $110,000 - $139,000
Associate Professor: $127,000 - $162,000
Full Professor: $156,000 - $208,000

Position Type

Academic

Additional Information

Northeastern University considers factors such as candidate work experience, education and skills when extending an offer.

Northeastern has a comprehensive benefits package for benefit eligible employees. This includes medical, vision, dental, paid time off, tuition assistance, wellness & life, retirement- as well as commuting & transportation. Visit https://hr.northeastern.edu/benefits/ for more information.

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Pay Range

Assistant Professor: $110,000 - $139,000 USD | Associate Professor: $127,000 - $162,000 USD | Full Professor: $156,000 - $208,000 USD

With the pay range(s) shown above, the starting salary will depend on several factors, which may include your education, experience, location, knowledge and expertise, and skills as well as a pay comparison to similarly-situated employees already in the role. Salary ranges are reviewed regularly and are subject to change.