Postdoctoral Fellow – Costello Lab – Dietrich College

Job description

Carnegie Mellon University, in collaboration with FAR.AI and Cornell University, is seeking a postdoctoral researcher for a one-year appointment (with the possibility of extension) in Dietrich College. The position has a flexible start date, though early summer 2026 is preferred. The postdoctoral fellow will work closely with Thomas Costello (CMU), Kellin Pelrine (FAR.AI), Gordon Pennycook (Cornell), and David Rand (Cornell). In addition to being a core member of the research team, the fellow will be embedded within the FAR.AI research community, providing direct access to technical AI safety expertise and a broader interdisciplinary network. This position builds on our recent work demonstrating that large language models (LLMs) can meaningfully influence human beliefs — including shifting political attitudes, reducing belief in conspiracy theories, and, more recently, increasing belief in them. The research sits at the intersection of AI safety and behavioral science, examining both the persuasive capabilities of AI systems and the risks they pose to the information ecosystem. Core responsibilities include: Advancing research on the risks of AI-driven persuasion within the informa...