American Political Reform & Innovation Lab Student Assistant - IE & FWS

James Madison University, United States

Updated: 3 months ago
Location: Harrisonburg, VIRGINIA
Job Type: PartTime
Deadline: ;

Position Details
Position Information


Working Title American Political Reform & Innovation Lab Student Assistant - IE & FWS
Posting Number J2305
Position Type Institutional Employment
Position Status Part Time
College/Division College of Arts and Letters
Department 100033 - Political Science Department
Pay Rate Hourly
Specify Range or Amount 13.50

Position Summary Information


General Information
Founded in 2022, the American Political Reform & Innovation Lab (APRILab) in the College of Arts and Letters is a nonpartisan, civic- and community-engaged political science and data science research lab. APRILab produces original, evidence-based research on institutional political reform in collaboration with internal and external social scientists and data scientists, and with leading experts in the national political reform advocacy community. The lab’s research addresses significant, real-world problems posed by institutional dysfunction, democratic backsliding, and unequal political influence.
APRILab is seeking undergraduate and graduate lab associates to begin working in Fall 2022. The duties will require 5 to 20 hours per week depending on student qualifications, undergraduate or graduate status, and scheduling needs. This is a minimum one-semester appointment, with preference given to students who anticipate being eligible to continue for the full academic year and who have an interest in continuing one or more additional years. Students who identify themselves as a member of a traditionally marginalized population are especially encouraged to apply.
Duties and Responsibilities
Duties and Responsibilities

1. Conduct data collection, data cleaning, database management, and reporting tasks for multiple, simultaneous political reform research projects;
2. Monitor progress on tasks and report activity to the supervising director and graduate assistant on a weekly basis;
3. Research background material and prepare copy for website, social media, grant proposals, research reports, working papers, and related public-facing media products;
4. Communicate effectively with faculty and staff colleagues, external faculty lab affiliates, collaborators, and political reform advocacy partners;
5. Work collaboratively and productively in a diverse work environment, while acknowledging and appreciating differences among colleagues and external engagement partners;
6. Commit to acting in a professional, nonpartisan manner when representing JMU and the APRILab;
7. Other reasonable tasks related to the lab’s research objectives as assigned.
Qualifications
The ideal candidate will possess a(n):
Enrollment in and in excellent academic standing in an undergraduate or graduate program at James Madison University for the 2022-2023 academic year (see conditions of employment);
· High level of intrinsic motivation, good time-management skills, and the ability to be independently productive and accountable to others;
· Willingness to conduct independent research in collaboration with the lab director, internal and external collaborators, and political reform advocacy partners;
· Strong set of organizational, writing, research, and editing skills with a high level of attention to detail;
· Record of coursework in research methods, statistics, data science, or similar topics; and coursework in American politics, history, economics, or similar;
· Demonstrated experience with Microsoft Office suite, Google Drive, LaTeX, Slack, or similar office software.
Preferred but not required:
· Experience with or coursework in technical writing, copy editing, proofreading and/or producing alternative audio, visual, or marketing products;
· Experience with or coursework in conducting social scientific, data visualization, or data science tasks, including data analysis in SPSS, Python, R, STATA, or related languages and with Qualtrics or similar questionnaire software;
· Familiarity with IRB protocols and human subjects research ethics;
· Ambition to pursue advanced graduate education and/or a career in public service and public affairs, broadly defined.
Conditions of Employment

Students must be degree-seeking students, enrolled on at least a half-time basis (6 credits for undergraduate and 5 credits for graduate).

E-Verify Notice: After accepting employment, new hires are required to complete an I-9 form and present documentation of their identity and eligibility to work in the United States. James Madison University uses the E-Verify system to confirm identity and work authorization.

Posting Detail Information


Posting Date 11/27/2023
Beginning Review Date 12/11/2023
Closing Date
Open Until Filled Yes
Proposed Starting Date 01/16/2024
EEO Statement

James Madison University is committed to creating and supporting a diverse and inclusive work and educational community that is free of all forms of discrimination. This institution does not tolerate discrimination or harassment on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin, parental status, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or veteran status.

We promote access, inclusion and diversity for all students, faculty, staff, constituents and programs, believing that these qualities are foundational components of an outstanding education in keeping with our mission. The university is interested in candidates whose experience and qualifications support an ongoing commitment to this core quality.

Anyone having questions concerning discrimination should contact the Office for Equal Opportunity: (540) 568-6991.
Reasonable Accommodation Request

If you are a student with a disability and need assistance please contact the Office of Disability Services at (540) 568-6705 or [email protected] . You may also visit the Office of Disability Services, located in the Student Success Center, Suite 1202 and they will be happy to assist you.
Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report http://www.jmu.edu/publicsafety/clerycompliance/righttoknow.shtml
Minimum Reference(s) Required
Quick Link for Direct Access to Posting https://joblink.jmu.edu/postings/15893
Additional Posting Information
Federal Work Study (FWS) applicants please attach your Financial Aid Award Notice as an optional document to show your FWS eligibility.

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