Postdoctoral Associate; Center Mind, Ethics, and Policy

New York University: NYU - NY:
Arts and Science (A&S):
Environmental Studies Location

New York, NY

Sep 16, 2026

The Center for Mind, Ethics, and Policy (CMEP) at New York University invites applications for a full-time Postdoctoral Associate in relevant disciplines including philosophy, neuroscience, computer science, and economics. The position is intended for an early-career scholar who will contribute to the Center's research on digital minds and broader activities while also developing an independent research program within the Center's areas of focus.

The Postdoctoral Associate will join an interdisciplinary community working on foundational research on the nature and intrinsic value of nonhuman minds, including both biological and digital minds (AI). Recent projects include :

• A report on taking AI welfare seriously;
• A report on studying AI welfare empirically;
• A paper about AI safety, AI welfare, and potential tensions between them; and
• A paper about social perceptions of AI consciousness.

The position is designed to combine close collaboration with Center faculty and staff, meaningful opportunities to contribute to the development of the Center and its field, and substantial protected time for independently led research.

This position is based in New York and the selected candidate will be expected to work onsite as of their effective start date. The appointment will be for one year beginning Fall 2027, renewable annually for up to three years total, subject to performance and funding. This position is based in New York and the selected candidate will be expected to work onsite as of their effective start date.

If you are an international applicant, please review NYU’s Office of Global Services (OGS) website . We welcome applications from international candidates; however, please note that NYU is not an E-Verify employer and therefore unable to support STEM OPT extensions.

In compliance with NYC’s Pay Transparency Act, the annual base salary range for this position is $65,000 - $75,000. New York University considers factors such as (but not limited to) the specific grant funding and the terms of the research grant when extending an offer.

The Postdoctoral Associate will be part of a thriving and growing research community that includes: an internal team of researchers and postdocs, a diverse set of junior and senior collaborators from both within and outside NYU, regular mentorship from our research manager, and high-level guidance from the Director. The Center aims to provide an environment in which postdoctoral researchers can both contribute meaningfully to collaborative projects and develop the ideas, publications, relationships, and research agenda needed for the next stage of their careers.

Research plans and workload allocations will be discussed regularly to ensure that Center responsibilities do not systematically displace the Associate's protected independent research and professional-development time.

The Postdoctoral Associate's time will ordinarily be allocated approximately as follows. These percentages are intended as guidelines rather than rigid timesheet categories and may vary across the appointment by mutual agreement.

50% — Center-initiated and collaborative research

The Postdoctoral Associate will contribute to research projects developed or prioritized by the Center. Depending on the candidate's expertise and the Center's needs, this work may include:

• Conducting original research, including academic papers, reports, and other publications, both individually and collaboratively;
• Assisting with grant proposals and the development of new research projects and…