Research Specialist at Princeton University in Princeton, New Jersey

Job Description:

Research Specialist

US-NJ-Princeton

Job ID: 2024-18887
Type: Full-Time
# of Openings: 1
Category: Research and Laboratory

Princeton University

Overview

About the Organization

The Bridging Divides Initiative (BDI) is a non-partisan research initiative that tracks and mitigates political violence in the United States. BDI supports efforts to grow and build local community resilience through elections and other periods of heightened risk, laying the groundwork for longer-term to bridge the divides we face as a nation.

We do this by 1) producing action-oriented and responsive research to fill existing gaps and empower local leaders; 2) enabling cross-sector collaboration, so individuals and organizations are better prepared to mitigate risk and respond to crisis when it does arise; and 3) helping to drive the policy and community response. Over the past four years, BDI played an essential role in supporting a wide range of actors preparing for and responding to political violence and democratic crisis. Our data, analysis, and tools continue to help a diverse coalition of national and local decision-makers better target their interventions. BDI is based at the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs (SPIA), co-hosted by the Empirical Studies of Conflict (ESOC).

For more information, please visit our website: https://bridgingdivides.princeton.edu/.

Position Overview

A critical part of BDI’s strategy is a functional U.S. “Early Warning, Early Response” effort, which relies on shared information and rapid distribution within and between key sectors of the existing response ecosystem.

BDI seeks a full-time, fully remote Early Warning Researcher. They will be a member of the Building and Modeling Structures for Early Warning project, contributing to the production of regular research products, especially via regular OSINT monitoring. The role is envisioned as a one-year minimum engagement, with opportunities for renewal. The Early Warning Researcher will work closely with other members of BDI’s Building and Modeling Structures for Early Warning project team — reporting to the Early Warning Project Manager — as well as with BDI’s research team more broadly.

The outcome of your work is reliable and timely monitoring and early warning analysis products, which has proven an essential part of the U.S. early warning infrastructure. Regular reporting, timely issue briefs, and custom memos – drawing on data and collaboration with over a dozen monitoring partners – will provide reliable, trusted, and actionable information to help the entire early warning ecosystem get ahead of and respond to risk.

Responsibilities

• OSINT monitoring of a number of U.S. states via traditional media, social media, alt-media, and more
• Contribute to the production of regular, targeted early warning research products, for a diverse audience, including but not limited to (1) a biweekly SitRep (Situation Report), covering trends in political violence and early warning signs of further violence across the U.S., drawing on monitoring and data analysis; (2) a monthly collection of relevant incidents across the U.S.; and (3) a bimonthly brief covering the shifting risk landscape; amongst others
• Contribute to the production of ad-hoc Rapid Response Memos and Briefs, as needed, so that stakeholders can take immediate action
• Work closely with other members of BDI’s research team to support a broad range of data-driven research programming.
• Provide real-time support to BDI’s research and collaboration teams to deliver custom analysis and quick, accurate answers to pressing questions and concerns from community partners — such as contribution to addressing RFIs as requested

Qualifications

Required

• Research experience focused on the U.S. political violence landscape, especially in identifying relevant early warning indicators
• Ability to think strategically and creatively around quantitative and qualitative data, including identifying new/emerging trends, gaps, and alternative analysis methods
• Expertise in conducting OSINT monitoring to track activities of conflict actors, especially via traditional and social media
• Excellent writing abilities
• Outstanding interpersonal skills, and the ability to engage with a multidisciplinary team and collaborators, especially in a remote work setting
• Interest in and commitment to supporting civil society efforts to address political violence in the U.S., including work with partner organizations across diverse political affiliations, geographies, and sectors
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment, including proactivity and agility in response to potential early warning indicators
• 1-2+ years of experience in research, policy, community engagement, or related role
• Bachelor’s degree or higher in a related field

Preferred

• Experience working on a remote team, including familiarity with relevant work tools (e.g. Slack, Zoom, Asana, etc.)
• Past writing experience writing policy-focused memos, recommendations, or reports
• Expertise in conducting OSINT monitoring to track activities of conflict actors, via alt media

Timeline: Start date for the position is ASAP (envisioned as early summer 2024). The role is envisioned as a one-year minimum engagement, with opportunities for renewal.

Our benefits package includes:

• 24 paid vacation days with 11 paid holidays;
• 2 paid personal days;
• 8 sick days
• Health insurance policy (Aetna and/or UnitedHealth care as well as Vision, Dental, and employer sponsored short and long-term disability policies and life insurance);
• Flexible Spending Accounts (HFSA, DFSA);
• Princeton retirement contributions (9.3% of annual salary)
• 403(b) retirement plan;
• Robust education support program covers 85% of tuition and mandatory educational fees at accredited U.S. institutions, up to $5,250 annually, eligible after one year of service.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and other wellness resources to support employees and their families;
• Remote working.

Work authorization/visa eligibility: Work must be performed within the United States and is remote. This job requires U.S. work authorization and is not eligible for U.S. visa sponsorship.

No matter who you are, BDI is a place you can call home. We know that our unique perspectives make us stronger, smarter, and well-positioned for success. We value and rely on the collective voices of our team to help guide our work on challenging issues.

Princeton University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. KNOW YOUR RIGHTS

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