Sugarman Practitioner in Residence

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Activists, community leaders, and peacebuilders: If you’re pushing toward a high‑impact solution that hinges on behavior change, Princeton’s 12-month Sugarman Practitioner in Residence program can amplify your work. No academic background needed—just a commitment to solving real problems with creativity and courage.

The Kahneman-Treisman Center for Behavioral Science & Public Policy is pleased to announce the call for applications to the Sugarman Practitioner in Residence position with an expected start date in fall 2026 to be appointed to an initial term of 12 months at a salary of $9,000/month plus benefits, with optional extension based on performance and continued program funding. The ideal Residents will be pursuing a breakthrough solution to a society-relevant problem, the success of which depends on understanding certain aspects of human behavior, and which could benefit from the support, guidance, and mentorship from members of Princeton’s academic community.  During the appointed term, Residents will be on campus and affiliated with Princeton University, but with no formal teaching responsibilities. Like an "artist-in-residence" program, this position provides a sanctuary from everyday responsibilities that can impede breakthrough thinking, along with the opportunity to deepen engagement with the behavioral sciences and related policy tools through collaboration with university faculty and scholars.

Envisioned Residents may range from entrepreneurs, app developers, leaders of non-governmental organizations, and policy wonks, to activists, climate scientists, leaders of social, cultural, or health-related movements, architects, designers, urban planners, and so on. Applicants need not have an advanced degree.

Applicants must apply online for this position. The application should include a clearly stated project statement (max 5 pages), hypothesizing how the gap between the current state of affairs and an improved future could be solved by addressing some aspect of human motivation, judgment, decision, perception, etc.—whether individual or collective. It should also include an outline of the steps the applicant envisions working through during the residency, anticipated outcome if successful, and types of local experts whose insights may prove fruitful. We are NOT looking for research proposals; projects should be designed to yield a product, app, campaign, or other constructive intervention. Completion of the project is not necessary during the residency, though the hope is that forward progress will be realized through interaction with the Princeton community. Also submit a current resume or CV outlining past projects undertaken and a cover letter describing how this position fits with your background and future aims.