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Research Assistant Professor

Posting Details

Job # 075346 Job Title Research Assistant Professor Location 360 Newhouse II Pay Range Commensurate w/ Experience FLSA Status Exempt Hours

As determined by TRAC Co-directors

Job Type Full-time Rank Research Faculty Campus Syracuse, NY Unionized Position Code Not Applicable Job Description

The Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse ( TRAC ) at Syracuse University invites applications for a research faculty position that holds data, government accountability, and reporting at its core.

The successful candidate will contribute to groundbreaking research at the Center, and work with journalists, attorneys, scholars from around the globe, and the public oversight community more generally to fulfill the center’s 30- year tradition of providing the public with comprehensive, independent and nonpartisan information about federal enforcement, services, staffing, and spending. The individual will initiate and guide active campaigns using the Freedom of Information Act — including litigation — to secure public access to internal databases within federal agencies, and lead initiatives to organize and mine these data to develop a range of reports and information products. Interested candidates should be open to collaborating with outside news organizations and/or students to develop trailblazing stories. The person hired will also be integral to shaping the evolving vision for the Center, and may be asked to help secure foundation funding to launch new Center initiatives. This is a full-time research position; no teaching duties are involved.

Founded in 1989 as a center at SU specializing in “big data” before that concept was widely recognized, TRAC has a fulltime professional staff and publishes a steady stream of special reports and data products at trac.syr.edu. Established to provide the American people with the authoritative and accurate information they need to hold their government accountable, the Center is unique in the information marketplace. With an incoming flow of data records from its FOIAoperations of over 250 million each month, TRAC adds more than 3 billion new records to its inventory each year. In addition, with over 300,000 further queries each month to the federal courts for their records on civil and criminal proceedings, not counting court records obtained from federal administrative courts, TRAC’s Judge Information Center now regularly and systematically compares individual judge-by-judge performance on such vital matters as federal sentences for individuals and corporations, and disparities in judge asylum decisions. TRAC’s companion FOIAproject.org website, updated daily, systematically monitors federal agency FOIA decisions and practices.

Qualifications

A Ph.D in a field related to TRAC’s work is required. A driving passion for holding government accountable is needed, along with a published portfolio of work demonstrating relevant accomplishments. The portfolio should clearly show proficiency with using FOIA, solid data analytical skills, and publication of important data-rich investigative studies and conference presentations. A research background in immigration and/or FOIA matters would be solid pluses. A network of connections with community leaders and scholars active in immigration and FOIA matters, or with news organizations, government and public policy officials, or the foundation world would be pluses.

Job Specific Qualifications Responsibilities

Enhance the Center’s mission through active engagement in the full range of the
Center’s work.

Keep up with developments in the field and identify new opportunities to leverage the Center’s ongoing initiatives, its data resources and capabilities.

Envision creative strategies to broaden and deepen the impact of TRAC’s information services.

Develop feasible approaches to implement your ideas, and then help manage carrying these out.

This is a full-time research position; no teaching duties are involved.

Physical Requirements Tools/Equipment Application Instructions

In addition to completing an online application, please attach a curriculum vitae and cover letter.

About Syracuse University

Syracuse University is a private, international research university with distinctive academics, diversely unique offerings and an undeniable spirit. Located in the geographic heart of New York State, with a global footprint, and nearly 150 years of history, Syracuse University offers a quintessential college experience.

The scope of Syracuse University is a testament to its strengths: a pioneering history dating back to 1870; a choice of more than 200 majors and 100 minors offered through 13 schools and colleges; nearly 15,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate students; more than a quarter of a million alumni in 160 countries; and a student population from all 50 U.S. states and 123 countries. For more information, please visit www.syracuse.edu.

About the Syracuse area

Syracuse is a medium-sized city situated in the geographic center of New York State approximately 250 miles northwest of New York City. The metro-area population totals approximately 500,000. The area offers a low cost of living and provides many social, cultural, and recreational options, including parks, museums, festivals, professional regional theater, and premier shopping venues. Syracuse and Central New York present a wide range of seasonal recreation and attractions ranging from water skiing and snow skiing, hiking in the Adirondacks, touring the historic sites, visiting wineries along the Finger Lakes, and biking on trails along the Erie Canal.

EEOC

Syracuse University is an equal-opportunity, affirmative-action institution. The University prohibits discrimination and harassment based on race, color, creed, religion, sex, gender, national origin, citizenship, ethnicity, marital status, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law to the extent prohibited by law. This nondiscrimination policy covers admissions, employment, and access to and treatment in University programs, services, and activities.

Commitment to Supporting and Hiring Veterans

Syracuse University has a long history of engaging veterans and the military-connected community through its educational programs, community outreach, and employment programs. After World War II, Syracuse University welcomed more than 10,000 returning veterans to our campus, and those veterans literally transformed Syracuse University into the national research institution it is today. The University’s contemporary commitment to veterans builds on this historical legacy, and extends to both class-leading initiatives focused on making an SU degree accessible and affordable to the post-9/11 generation of veterans, and also programs designed to position Syracuse University as the employer of choice for military veterans, members of the Guard and Reserve, and military family members.

Commitment to a Diverse and Inclusive Campus Community

Syracuse University maintains an inclusive learning environment in which students, faculty, administrators, staff, curriculum, social activities, governance, and all other aspects of campus life reflect a diverse, multi-cultural, and international worldview. The University community recognizes and values the many similarities and differences among individuals and groups. At Syracuse, we are committed to preparing students to understand, live among, appreciate, and work in an inherently diverse country and world made up of people with different ethnic and racial backgrounds, military backgrounds, religious beliefs, socio-economic status, cultural traditions, abilities, sexual orientations and gender identities. To do so, we commit ourselves to promoting a community that celebrates and models the principles of diversity and inclusivity.

Quick Link http://www.sujobopps.com/postings/84917 Job Posting Date 09/11/2020 Application Deadline 10/15/2020 Open Until Filled Yes Priority Consideration 09/30/2020 Job Category Faculty Message to Applicants

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