This postdoctoral scholar position is located at Arizona State University’s Downtown Phoenix campus and is a full time, benefits eligible, 12-month fiscal year appointment. The initial term is one year, with the possibility of renewal for a second year based on satisfactory progress as outlined in the scholar’s Individual Development Plan (IDP).

The Computational Neuropsychology & Simulation (CNS) Lab and Dr. Thomas D. Parsons, PhD invites applications for a postdoctoral scholar focused on research in human computer interaction, computer science, virtual humans, health technologies, simulation science, and immersive technologies. The Postdoctoral Researcher will design, organize, and conduct specialized and advanced research projects in simulation science and learning technologies. The CNS Lab’s ongoing projects focus on virtual humans and advancing simulation science-based theories and concepts in social and clinical education. Interests in extended reality (virtual reality, augmented reality, mixed reality), wearable sensors (EDA, ECG, EEG, fNIRS) as well as psychological science are highly valued for this position. Established immersive technologies will be used along with scientific protocols and procedures. Responsibilities will include (joining a team of computer scientists and psychologists) designing/developing new platforms, protocols, summarizing findings, publishing results in research journals; and applying for internal and external funding opportunities. The CNS lab has funded projects using virtual humans (e.g., conversational agents, virtual standardized patients) and virtual reality environments. The lab was recently awarded (Parsons is PI) a $5.2 million dollar grant “Virtual Insomnia Patients (VIPs) to Automate and Accelerate Dissemination of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I).”

The CNS lab is an interdisciplinary lab at Arizona State University (ASU) that includes ASU Health; the School of Arts, Media and Engineering; and Human Systems Engineering. The CNS lab is part of a vibrant and varied research, education, and practice community at ASU, which was named this year by U.S. News and World Report for the eleventh year in a row as #1 in Innovation among all universities in the United States. The CNS lab offers a rich interprofessional research, mentoring, and teaching environment with unique and growing transdisciplinary programs and several centers that encompass education in social science, health equity; health promotion and disease prevention; mindfulness, compassion, and resilience; and healthy and resilient aging. The CNS lab is housed in Edson College where faculty collaborate across professions, other colleges, and universities and have current or recent funding from NIH, PCORI, the National Center for Interprofessional Practice and Education, HRSA, Department of Defense, the Veterans Administration, the Josiah Macy Jr. Foundation, and several other local, regional, and national organizations. The CNS lab also collaborates with a wide-ranging group of community and healthcare organizations to improve the economic, social, and cultural health and vitality of shared local, state, national, and global communities. Examples of these organizations include Mayo Clinic (satellite CNS Lab), Phoenix Children's Hospital, Banner Health, Dignity Health, HonorHealth, and the Phoenix VA Health Care System.

About Arizona State University

ASU is a large, comprehensive, research university and for nearly two decades, has transformed into the "New American University," one dedicated to the simultaneous pursuit of excellence, broad access to quality education, and meaningful societal impact. By our Charter and Design Aspirations, we center inclusion and success as values that drive the enterprise; adopt inter- and transdisciplinary approaches to teaching and learning as ways to address society's greatest challenges; and develop innovative partnerships to produce master learners across the lifespan. To learn more about ASU, visit http://www.asu.edu.

Essential Duties

• Design and implement digital platforms and research protocols for simulation and immersive technology (i.e., virtual humans; virtual reality; augmented reality; mixed reality) projects, with a focus on evaluation and assessment of current and proposed education programs.
• Collect, prepare, and analyze research data; maintain a computer database of research data; tabulate and display data for presentation in research conferences and for manuscript preparation; use graphics and statistical software to analyze and present data.
• There is a strong emphasis upon journal publications and grant proposals.
• Actively participate in ongoing interdisciplinary projects in the Computational Neuropsychology & Simulation (CNS) Lab.
• Collaborate with Grace Center Professor for Innovation in Clinical Education, Simulation Science, & Immersive Technology Professor (Dr. Thomas Parsons) and other interprofessional scholars on efforts for clinical science research; participate in the training of colleagues and students as needed.
• Identify, execute, and submit novel technology-related proposals for internal and external funding.
• Search and review pertinent scientific literature as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

• Doctorate in Psychology or Computing/Information Science (e.g., Computer Science, Human-Computer Interaction, AI) or related disciplines, or an equivalent qualification, and must have no more than five years of post-qualification experience at the time of application;
• Demonstrate a solid research trajectory and domain knowledge relevant to at least one or more of the following areas including natural language processing (NLP), generative AI (GenAI), conversational AI/dialogue systems, human-computer interaction (HCI), affective computing/emotion AI, experimental design with creative technology, user-centered design and interaction;
• Have a proven track record of research excellence, demonstrated by an outstanding publication record in high-impact peer-reviewed journals or top-tier conferences;
• Have strong analytical, programming, or experimental research capabilities aligned with the thematic focus above;

Desired Qualifications

• Have an excellent command of both written and spoken English;
• Have demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively in interdisciplinary research settings;
• Experience with a statistical software package (e.g., SAS; Statistica; R; SPSS; Matlab).
• Evidence of effective communication skills through teaching or professional presentation experience and/or professional publications.
• Prior extended reality (e.g., virtual reality; augmented reality) research experience through involvement in research projects.
• Prior game engine (e.g., Unreal; Unity) experience.
• Prior Natural Language Processing experience.
• Prior psychophysiology (e.g., EDA, ECG, EEG) research experience through involvement in research projects.
• Experience with quantitative methods and data analysis.

Application materials should include a curriculum vitae; a letter of interest regarding the CNS Lab and describing how you meet the qualifications noted above; and contact information for 3 references including email addresses. Application deadline is May 1, 2026. Applications will continue to be accepted on a rolling basis for a reserve pool. Applications in the reserve pool may then be reviewed in the order in which they were received until the position is filled. Early applications are encouraged.

Inquiries can be directed to the Director of the CNS Lab—Thomas D. Parsons, PhD (Thomas.Parsons@ASU.edu), Grace Center Professor for Innovation in Clinical Education, Simulation Science, & Immersive Technology.