Georgetown University, founded in 1789, is the oldest university in Washington DC and the nation’s first federally chartered university. It is spread across the city, on the Hilltop and Medical campuses, and on the new Capital Campus near the U.S. Capital Building and Georgetown’s Law Center.
Georgetown’s Massive Data Institute (MDI) and the Institute for the Study of International Migration (ISIM) seek a postdoctoral fellow interested in computational social science to join a project that involves using organic data to develop indicators of forced migration. Supported by federal and university funding, the project has involved many students, postdoctoral fellows, and faculty with publications on the use of organic data to understand forced movement from Venezuela, the Ukraine, and Bangladesh. In the next few years, the goal is to expand to other areas such as Sudan. For a short description of the project, click: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1194476382148687
The project is co-led by Sonneborn Chairs Lisa Singh, Ph.D. Department of Computer Science and Public Policy, Katharine Donato, Ph.D., School of Foreign Service and Department of Sociology, and Ali Arab, Ph.D., Department of Mathematics & Statistics. Applicants should have a PhD in any relevant social science disciplines, computer/data science, or other related fields.
The postdoctoral fellow will be part of a cross-institute and cross-school collaboration between the Massive Data Institute (MDI) in the McCourt School of Public Policy, and the Institute for the Study of International Migration (ISIM) in the School of Foreign Service. The postdoctoral fellow will be affiliated with both MDI and ISIM.
We seek a postdoctoral fellow with interests addressing pressing challenges at the intersection of forced migration and big data, with data analytic skills using Google Search and other types of social media or digital data. The postdoctoral fellow will collaborate with Professors Singh, Donato, and Arab in analyzing data, writing and publishing research papers, meeting with interested colleagues and students, and mentoring junior scholars.
Research
The postdoctoral fellow is expected to engage in their own advanced independent and/or directed research with colleagues and engage in projects with the faculty that are part of the Massive Data Institute and ISIM. The fellow will explore opportunities to collaborate with faculty on the project, and is expected to give at least one seminar presentation based on their work while a fellow. In addition, the postdoctoral fellow will help build a community across campus, assisting graduate and undergraduate students who are also working on the project.
Teaching
The postdoctoral fellow will teach a tutorial about big data and forced migration each semester at MDI. In addition, the fellow will also contribute to the intellectual life of MDI and ISIM. At ISIM, they will be invited to present their work in the Migration Workshop.
Postdoctoral fellowships are a temporary advanced scholarly appointment for 12 months, as soon as possible but no later than the Spring 2027 semester. The appointment will extend across one 12 month period, with the possibility of renewal if funding permits. The person hired in this position will receive a stipend of $72,000, a travel allowance, and health insurance coverage. The postdoctoral fellow will be provided working space. Compensation is determined by a number of factors including, but not limited to, the candidate’s individual qualifications, experience, education, skills, and certifications, as well as the University’s business needs and external factors.
Application Materials
To apply, submit the following items on Interfolio. The deadline for first review of applications is June 15, 2026. After that date, applications will be reviewed on an as-needed, rolling basis.
· Cover Letter
· Curriculum Vitae
· Statement of current and proposed work
· Illustrative publication(s) (optional)
· Two Reference Letters (to be submitted at this site)
GU is an Equal Opportunity Employer All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply, and will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, citizenship, color, disability, family responsibilities, gender identity and expression, genetic information, marital status, matriculation, national origin, race, religion, personal appearance, political affiliation, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law
Requesting Accommodations
If you are a qualified individual with a disability and need reasonable accommodations for any part of the application and hiring process, please visit the Office for Equal Opportunity Compliance website fo r general information about requesting accommodations, as well as information about requesting accommodations specifically for applicantsYou also can also contact the Office for Equal Opportunity Compliance at (202) 687-4798 or oeoc@georgetown.edu
