| Position ID: | Cornell-Department of Communication-CATLABMGR [#18146, WDR-00024914] |
| Position Title: | Postdoctoral Associate |
| Position Type: | Postdoctoral |
| Position Location: | Ithaca, New York 14853, United States [map] |
| Subject Areas: | Communications / Communication Technology, Interpersonal Communication, Media Effects, Strategic Communication |
| Appl Deadline: | finished (2021/02/16, finished 2022/01/28, listed until 2021/08/13) |
| Position Description: | |
Postdoctoral
Associate Department
of Communication College
of Agriculture and Life Sciences Cornell
University
SUMMARY Do you wonder about the role of technology in
society? Do you wish for better evidence and greater public influence on the future
of our digital lives? The Citizens and Technology Lab (CAT Lab), located in Cornell University’s Department of Communication, Ithaca, NY, is seeking a full-time Postdoctoral Associate to serve as Research Manager. In this position, the Postdoctoral Associate will oversee all aspects of our research collaborations with communities and external researchers. CAT Lab, led by Dr. J. Nathan Matias, envisions a world where digital power is guided by evidence and accountable to the public. We work with communities to study the effects of technology on society and test ideas for social change online in the public interest. To achieve this mission, CAT Lab does industry-independent citizen science. Using open science software developed in-house, we collaborate with communities and movements to discover practical, replicable knowledge that contributes to science and is guided by the people affected by digital power. We practice full-cycle research, where participatory, qualitative research informs the theory and design of our field experiments. The ideal candidate is someone excited about creating evidence that can make a difference in people's lives, and who has a dual passion for community organizing and scientific rigor. We are seeking a candidate who is curious to learn community perspectives and needs, will work to ensure that research delivers value to communities alongside any scientific contributions, and who can be motivated to complete individual research studies while also advancing long-term organizational processes. This is a full-time, 12-month academic position. Reappointment for a second year (or even third year) is possible contingent on successful performance, funding, and available work. The target start date is September 1, 2021 (or earlier) but can be delayed if necessary. After three years and contingent on funding and performance, the Postdoctoral Associate will be eligible for promotion to Research Associate. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES The Research Manager’s primary responsibility is
to manage the overall portfolio of CAT Lab studies, in collaboration with the
CAT Lab team. The Research Manager will also have opportunities to develop and
lead individual research projects at the intersection of community goals and
your own research interests. Responsibilities include: ● (20%) Managing relationships with online communities by developing new relationships, organizing events, and coordinating online conversations with communities on Reddit, Wikipedia, and other online networks ● (60%) Shepherding our concurrent studies through the research pipeline, including: ○
Managing organizational processes
for deciding what studies to conduct, together with communities and the CAT Lab
team ○
Coordinating communities,
researchers, and the engineering team to develop study designs that bridge
community goals and scientific goals ○
Managing collaborations with external
academic researchers ○
Coordinating literature reviews ○
Overseeing compliance with
university research ethics requirements, legal privacy requirements, and community
accountability processes ○
Managing the fielding of
individual CAT Lab studies (working with the PI, community liaisons, the
engineering team, and translators) ○
Coordinating the maintenance of
study records ○
Contributing to data analysis, as relevant ○
Organizing report writing and
coordinating community debriefings ○
Representing community needs and
perspectives throughout each project, as CAT Lab's main point of contact to
communities ○
Contributing to academic
publications as relevant ●
(20%) Managing research-related
organizational processes: ○
Creating and maintaining CAT Lab's
overall research processes ○
Contributing information about the
research process to funder reports ○
Contributing to research aspects
of strategic planning and fundraising, in collaboration with the PI and Deputy
Director ○
Attend quarterly CAT Lab meetings
at Cornell’s Ithaca location and Cornell Tech in New York City
QUALIFICATIONS Requirements: ●
A Ph.D. in the behavioral sciences
or an adjacent discipline (communication, psychology, sociology, information
science, political science, education, economics, etc.) ●
Familiarity with participatory
and/or qualitative approaches to research or other relevant experience in
community organizing ●
Experience coordinating projects
involving multiple stakeholders or organizations ●
Familiarity with research in
socio-technical contexts such as online platforms ●
Strong writing skills ●
Basic experience using statistical
software for data analysis (We use R and Python, but these are not required.) Preferred: ●
Experience or familiarity with
organizational processes used to develop new software or experience in projects
that involved new software development ●
Experience working in distributed
teams from multiple cultures ●
Prior experience with online
communities or with social movements that organize online Application All components of the application must be submitted through Academic Jobs Online: https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/18146 For questions, contact Dr. J. Nathan Matias at nathan.matias@cornell.edu. We
will begin reviewing applications immediately and continue
reviewing until the position is filled. Special consideration will be given to applications received by June 29, 2021. Application Materials Required: ●
cover letter ●
curriculum vitae ●
academic writing sample ●
technology industry conflict of
interest disclosure (example here) ●
statement
of contribution to diversity, equity, and inclusion ●
contact information for three
references The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Cornell University embraces diversity and seeks candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff of all identities and backgrounds. We strongly encourage individuals from underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply. The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) is a pioneer of purpose-driven science and home to Cornell University’s second largest population of students, faculty, and staff. We work. across disciplines to tackle the challenges of our time through world-renowned research, education. And outreach. The questions we probe and the answers we seek focus on three overlapping. concerns: natural and human systems; food, energy, and environmental resources; and social, physical and economic well-being. CALS is fundamentally invested in improving the lives of people, heir environments and their communities both in New York state and around the world. Diversity and Inclusion are a part of Cornell
University’s heritage. We are a recognized employer and educator valuing
AA/EEO, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities. We also
recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans
living on or near Indian reservations.
Familiarize yourself with Cornell’s
COVID-19 workplace guidance
as well as the university’s COVID-19 services and information Employment Assistance: For specific questions about the position or application process, please contact the Recruiter listed in the job posting or for general questions email mycareer@cornell.edu. If you require an accommodation for a disability in order to complete an employment application or to participate in the recruiting process, you are encouraged to contact Cornell University's Office of Institutional Equity and Title IX at voice (607) 255-2242, or email at equity@cornell.edu. Applicants that do not have internet access are encouraged to visit your local library, or local Department of Labor. You may also request an appointment to use a dedicated workstation in the Office of Talent Attraction and Recruitment, at the Ithaca campus, by emailing mycareer@cornell.edu. Please read the required Notice to Applicants statement by clicking here. This notice contains important information about applying for a position at Cornell as well as some of your rights and responsibilities as an applicant. EEO Statement: Diversity and Inclusion are a part of Cornell University’s heritage. We are a recognized employer and educator valuing AA/EEO, and we do not tolerate discrimination based on any protected characteristic, including race, ethnic or national origin, citizenship and immigration status, color, sex/gender, pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions, age, creed, religion, actual or perceived disability (including persons associated with such a person), arrest and/or conviction record, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender expression and/or identity, an individual’s genetic information, domestic violence victim status, familial status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations in accordance with applicable law. Cornell University embraces diversity and seeks candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff to all identities and backgrounds. We encourage individuals from underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply. Pay Ranges: The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined considering the following criteria:
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