Digital Manufacturing Post-Doc

Position summary:

This two-year postdoctoral position is funded by an internal, multi-disciplinary initiative targeted at identifying and posing holistic solutions to global challenges. The project utilizes the interdisciplinary tool-kit of Science and Technology Studies (STS) to explore how manufacturing brings immense benefits, while creating challenges such as increasing material, energy, and resource consumption; and disruption of historical economic and societal models. The principal investigator on the project is Dr. Nathan Hartman.

Research areas of particular interest are:

- the effects of digital technologies and information science on manufacturing organizations and their employees,
- the skills gap in modern manufacturing enterprises,
- the trade-offs between the economic benefits of manufacturing vs. need to mitigate impacts on our natural resources, and
- the cycle created by technology creation, adoption, diffusion and their effects on manufacturing competitive advantage.

The postdoctoral fellow will play an active role in the project, meeting with several faculty to hone research ideas and create proposals, and work independently on publications and research relevant to the initiative. The fellow’s project-related responsibilities include meeting with manufacturing organizations to assess their needs and challenges around digital manufacturing and workforce misalignments, collecting and analyzing data as needed, writing articles and reports, and presenting findings at conferences and team meetings.

Applications are encouraged from a variety of fields, including science and technology studies, history, sociology, anthropology, management, or other relevant fields.

Qualifications:

Applicants must have earned a doctorate in a relevant social science or humanities field (e.g., science and technology studies, history, sociology, anthropology, or communication) with a demonstrated interest in technology, vocations, or manufacturing.

Applicants must have completed all the requirements for the doctorate by May 2017, or have received their degree within the last three years.

Applicants must have advanced methodological expertise in interviewing and qualitative data analysis, excellent writing skills, and motivation to take initiative to ensure the success of the project. Preference will be given to candidates who exhibit evidence of research interest, strong communication skills and professional demeanor, and an interest in the global and societal impacts of manufacturing.

Additionally applicants must be willing to travel for a few days at a time.

Applicants must be able to handle export controlled data.

Purdue University is an EEO/AA employer fully Committed to achieving a diverse workforce. All individuals, including minorities, women, individuals with disabilities, and protected veterans are encouraged to apply.