Post-Doctoral Fellow

Summary

Join Data & Society Research Institute as a Post-Doctoral Fellow in the Trustworthy Infrastructures Program for a two-year appointment. This role focuses on the Nodes and Conduits project, researching the impacts of technological infrastructure on vulnerable communities. You will contribute to team projects, conduct original research, and publish findings for various audiences. The position requires a PhD in a relevant field and strong qualitative research skills. The ideal candidate is collaborative, committed to social change, and able to communicate effectively with diverse audiences. The position is remote, with occasional travel, and offers a competitive salary and benefits package.

Requirements

• Excellent research, writing, and communications skills supported by a strong empirical foundation
• PhD in Science and Technology Studies, Anthropology, Sociology, Urban studies, or similar applicable field; degree must be completed before the starting date
• Ability to independently conduct high-level qualitative research and fieldwork, including ethnographic studies, interviews, focus groups, and other research methods
• Expertise in STS, infrastructure studies, anthropology, sociology, or urban studies
• Ability to work independently in a remote environment
• Collaborative and generous intellectual partner
• Ability to translate research for non-academic audiences, including journalists, policymakers, practitioners, organizers, civil society, and the broader community
• A deep commitment to social change and the practical applications of research for practice, design, and governance of new technologies
• A strong history of work demonstrating a desire to understand how technology and power shape our sociotechnical society
• Must be able to travel for fieldwork, conferences, or team meetings during the appointment
• Strong analytical thinking; ability to conceptualize, develop, and conduct a research project
• Superior written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to collaborate with other researchers internally and externally to develop and execute new research projects
• Commitment to advancing organizational diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Actively participate in programs and professional development opportunities that work to ensure we continue our commitment to being an anti-racist and anti-discrimination organization
• To attend, where able, whole-organization activities such as staff meetings, retreats, town halls, listening sessions, workshops, training, and social events
• To participate, where able and appropriate, in contributing to the culture of D&S by participating in working groups and committees (e.g. DEIA Working Group)
• You must be living and authorized to work in the United States

Responsibilities

• Contribute to major Trustworthy Infrastructures team projects as a full participant, including ideation, conducting fieldwork, and holding interviews associated with Nodes & Conduits, and other research needs as necessary
• Conceptualize, develop, and conduct an original research project
• Publish op-eds, blog posts, and papers related to ongoing research for academic and non-academic audiences
• Contribute to the culture of the Trustworthy Infrastructures team and the broader Data & Society community
• Attend and collaborate with both internal and external researchers on outreach and network activities, including meetings, presentations, webinars, events, and conferences
• Participate in team activities, including meetings, presentations, webinars, hearings, and conferences, which may require occasional travel

Preferred Qualifications

• The ideal candidate may be trained in any number of disciplines but should have a strong empirical foundation; be interested in questions related to technology, power, infrastructure, trust, and community; and be excited to work in a highly interdisciplinary environment that includes social scientists, journalists, urbanists, computer scientists, artists, and practitioners
• Candidates may have a PhD or equivalent experience in any number of disciplines but should have a strong background conducting empirical, qualitative social science fieldwork
• Candidates should enjoy working on collaborative teams, contributing to peer intellectual production, and engaging broad public audiences with research
• Ideal candidates are also committed to social change and oriented to practical applications of research and its implications for practice, design, and governance of new technologies, and a strong desire to understand how technology and power shape our society
• Candidates should be able to write for multiple audiences and be part of a public-facing research institute

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Access to a range of opt-in products and services including additional insurance and 401k management
• Paid time off
• Paid federal holidays
• Remote work