As part of an international research project on developing effective interventions to counter false information in India, the Cambridge Social Decision-Making Lab in the Department of Psychology at the University of Cambridge is seeking a Research Assistant who is familiar with the media landscape in India.

The Research Assistant will work on a project that enables information literacy and resilience to false information online. Specifically, the candidate will work on the development and testing of a series of instruments aimed at reducing susceptibility to and sharing of false information on social media in India. This research project is funded jointly by Google Jigsaw and the Alfred Landecker Foundation.The post-holder will be responsible for a range of duties, including but not limited to:

Developing and elaborating research objectives in line with the core principles of the project.

Designing and carrying out experimental and survey research

Helping to develop, design and deploy evidence-based tools and experimental interventions to combat false information

Collecting, analysing, interpreting and visualising quantitative data

(Contributing to) writing up results for peer review

Liaising and collaborating with project partners

Building internal and external contacts and participating in networks for the exchange of knowledge and to form relationships for future collaboration

Presenting findings to a range of relevant international stakeholders including policy makers, practitioners and non-subject matter experts.

The position is to start in November of 2022 and the position is available until 30th June 2023 in the first instance, but may be subject to renewal if additional funding is acquired. The post-holder will work with Prof. Sander van der Linden and Dr Jon Roozenbeek on measuring the proliferation and influence of false information on platforms such as WhatsApp and Signal, and the development of instruments to measure and potentially reduce susceptibility to misinformation.

The successful candidate will join the renowned Cambridge Social Decision-Making Lab, led by Prof. Sander van der Linden. The Lab consists of a diverse team of interdisciplinary researchers united by a common interest in basic and translational behavioural science research.

There will be opportunities for collaboration with leading national and international researchers, as well as government agencies (both within and outside of the UK), social media companies, NGOs and other stakeholders.

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available until 30 June 2023 in the first instance.

Closing Date: Sunday 25th September 2022 at 12 Midnight

Interviews: TBC

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.