AFRL Cognitive Vulnerabilities/Biases Research

About the Role

The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) 711th Human Performance Wing (711 HPW) is offering a doctoral level student internship focused on understanding cognitive vulnerabilities and biases, and how they can be exploited using misinformation to degrade decision-making.

Key Responsibilities

As a participant, you will:

• Learn to develop, design, and implement online experiments.
• Conduct literature reviews.
• Analyze data, including exposure to advanced data analysis techniques.
• Apply research findings through written technical reports.
• Engage in team-based research efforts.
• Develop verbal and written technical communication skills.
• Gain experience relating scientific contributions to the understanding of information-related effects in cognitive warfare.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Doctoral degree candidate in Cognitive Psychology, Experimental Psychology, General Psychology, or Social Psychology.
• Must be a U.S. Citizen.
• Minimum Overall GPA: 3.00.
• Currently pursuing a Doctoral Degree.

Preferred Skills

• Experience with misinformation-related phenomena.
• Experience with cognition.
• Experience with social psychology.
• Experience with statistics.
• Experience with cognitive modeling.
• Experience with sentiment analysis.
• Experience with psychological experiments.

Qualifications

• Currently pursuing a Doctoral degree in Cognitive Psychology, Experimental Psychology, General Psychology or Social Psychology.
• Minimum Overall GPA: 3.00.
• U.S. Citizen Only.

Application Requirements

A complete application consists of:

• Zintellect Profile
• Educational and Employment History
• Essay Questions (goals, experiences, and skills relevant to the opportunity)
• Resume (PDF)
• Transcripts/Academic Records (copy of a transcript for your current or most recent degree program)
• One Recommendation (will be asked to rate scientific capabilities, personal characteristics, and describe how they know you)

Appointment Details

• Appointment Length: Twelve months, with the possibility for renewal.
• Location: Fairborn, Ohio. The appointment may be onsite or remote as approved.
• Stipend: $2,000.00 – $2,500.00 Monthly (based on academic standing, discipline, experience, and research facility location).
• Other Provisions: Health Insurance Supplement (option to purchase through ORISE), Relocation Allowance, Training and Travel Allowance.