Postdoctoral Fellow

SUMMARY

The Social Science Research Council (SSRC) seeks to hire a postdoctoral fellow to advance the aims of the Mellon-funded Data Fluencies Project. The position offers a rich experience in both non-profit administration and scholarly research. The successful candidate will work closely with a national network of preeminent and emergent scholars.

In-depth experience with project and grant administration, event coordination, and policy-driven and public-facing research will situate the Postdoctoral Fellow for future opportunities in higher education, nonprofit, and government contexts.

DESCRIPTION

The Social Science Research Council (SSRC) is an independent, international, nonprofit organization devoted to the advancement of interdisciplinary research in the social sciences and related disciplines through a wide variety of workshops and conferences, fellowships and grants, summer training institutes, scholarly exchanges, research, and publications. Working with partners around the world to link research to practice and policy, our work strengthens individual and institutional capacities for learning and enhances public access to information. For more information, please visit our website: www.ssrc.org. 

The SSRC invites applications for the position of Postdoctoral Fellow. This two-year, post-doctoral position will conduct work at the intersection of the Just Tech and Media & Democracy programs. This position will report to the Director of the Just Tech and Media & Democracy programs and will work with a team of professionals at the SSRC office in Brooklyn, New York.

With support from the Mellon Foundation, the Data Fluencies Project works to counter the impacts of discriminatory algorithms and online mis- and disinformation, and foster more just and equitable futures. The Data Fluencies Project will develop expansive and interdisciplinary approaches that combine the interpretative traditions of the arts and humanities with critical work in the social and data sciences to express, imagine, and create innovative engagements with (and resistances to) our data-filled world. This will involve bringing together groups that have been working largely in parallel, non-intersecting tracks: social-justice-oriented research and pedagogy in the arts and humanities with similarly focused computational work; Indigenous media studies researchers with intersectional technology developers; and arts-based data literacy efforts with data science curricular development.

The successful candidate will bridge the work between humanists, social scientists, and data scientists, facilitate innovative scholarship in this critical area of study, and elevate the quality of both academic and public discussion surrounding it.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Research topics related to mis- and disinformation, information integrity, public-interest technology, digital culture, big data governance and accountability, and alternative epistemologies stemming from feminist, Indigenous, or Black theoretical perspectives, resulting in internal and external reports and media projects, and public-facing projects and workshops. Plan, organize, and facilitate events, including thematic working group meetings, research development workshops, and other field-building opportunities. This includes preparing meeting agendas, drafting and editing concept notes and event summary reports, and coordinating and facilitating correspondence with participants and all relevant stakeholders during workshops and meetings. Facilitate communication and collaboration among a wide and interdisciplinary group of researchers, technologists, and other members of the Data Fluencies network. Help design, publicize, and administer a dissertation research competition. Contribute to and provide editorial support for SSRC publications MediaWell and the Just Tech Platform. Represent SSRC at various outreach events, including conferences.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• PhD in the humanities, social sciences, or data sciences (preferably with knowledge or experience across disciplines) Substantial knowledge and research experience in the area of dis/misinformation, digital technology, and social justice, as well as awareness of interdisciplinary methods Demonstrated excellent written and oral communication skills, including editorial experience Excellent organizational skills, with strong attention to detail Experience organizing and moderating workshops, meetings, and/or conference panels  Interest in working in a professional role at the interface between different scholarly communities and between academic, practitioner, and public audiences Team player with demonstrated ability to take initiative, work independently, manage multiple priorities, and respond flexibly to changing demands Commitment to diversity within the office using a personal approach that values all individuals and respects differences in regards to race, ethnicity, age, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, religion, disability, and socio-economic circumstance

Preferred

• Project management experience, grant writing, and budgeting experience are highly desirable Familiarity with the use of and technical approaches to studying social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, Reddit, among others) or experience with data science or algorithmic analysis Familiarity with web-publishing platforms (e.g., Wordpress)

SALARY, TERMS, AND BENEFITS

Compensation is $75,000 per year plus a competitive benefits package. This is a 2-year position, preferably commencing in October 2022. Comprehensive benefits include health, dental, vision, disability, life, and gym reimbursement; outstanding pension plan and tax savings programs; generous vacation and sick leave; and more. Provisions are made for professional staff to continue their development as a scholar while at the Council.

Programmatic work will take up the bulk of the fellow’s time, with 20% or one day a week left for the fellow’s personal research projects. The position can be hybrid, but the fellow will be expected to be available for weekly in-person meetings at SSRC headquarters in Brooklyn, NY.

The Social Science Research Council is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. We are dedicated to equal employment opportunity and to cultivating and sustaining a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workforce. SSRC maintains a policy of non-discrimination with all employees and applicants for employment. All aspects of employment with the Council are made on the basis of competence, skill, and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, creed, color, religion, sex/gender, national origin/ancestry, ethnicity, age, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital or domestic partner status, medical conditions (including pregnancy and/or genetic information) or physical or mental disability, citizenship status, or any other categories prohibited by law.