Post-Doc Research Associate

University of North Carolina, United States

Updated: over 1 year ago
Location: Chapel Hill, NORTH CAROLINA
Job Type: FullTime
Deadline: ; ;

Posting Information
Posting Details


Department Sch of Inform and Libr Science - 370101
Posting Open Date 09/14/2022
Application Deadline
Open Until Filled Yes
Position Type Postdoctoral Scholar
Position Title Post-Doc Research Associate
Vacancy ID PDS003588
Full-time/Part-time Full-Time Temporary
Hours per week 40
FTE 1
Work Location Chapel Hill, NC
Position Location North Carolina, US
Hiring Range Dependent on qualifications
Proposed Start Date 09/26/2022
Estimated Duration of Appointment 12 Months

Position Information


Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit
The School of Information and Library Science (SILS) seeks to advance the profession and practice of librarianship and information science, to prepare students for careers in the field of information and library science, and to make significant contributions to the study of information. We educate innovative and responsible thinkers who will lead the information professions. These future leaders will be equipped to discover principles and impacts of information, create systems, techniques, and policies to advance information processes and services, and advance information creation, access, use, management and stewardship to improve the quality of life for diverse local, national, and global communities.
The School’s programs are among the top ranked by the US News and World Report, and the School is internationally known for its outstanding research, teaching, and service. We offer multiple Bachelor, Masters, and Doctor of Philosophy degrees as well as a variety of dual degree, professional, certificate and online programs for personal enrichment at any stage of a students’ academic career (https://sils.unc.edu/programs). We are a proud interdisciplinary campus partner leading the Carolina Health Informatics Program (CHIP); Center for Information, Technology, and Public Life (CITAP); and The Knowledge Trust. We have proudly staffed the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Library since 1975.
The Carolina Health Informatics Program (CHIP) is an interdisciplinary research and training program that plays a key role in fulfilling UNC-Chapel Hill’s commitment to improving human health through health informatics research, data sharing, development, and education. We draw faculty, health care professionals, and students from across the UNC campus to conduct basic and translational research and to offer graduate training in health informatics for scientists across the disciplines and for clinicians in medicine, nursing, public health, dentistry, and pharmacy.
The Center for Information, Technology, and Public Life (CITAP) is a research center dedicated to understanding the growing impact of the internet, social media, and other forms of digital information sharing in the context of the people who design, use, and govern them. CITAP conducts original research that illuminates how people, technology, and power intersect. Our topics of study include: how inequalities are coded into new technology systems, networked communities and how people come together online, platform governance, and identity and disinformation. We take a holistic approach grounded in history, society, culture, and politics to the study of technology platforms and information systems.
Located in Research Triangle Park (RTP), SILS provides professional library services to the EPA’s largest research facility, where investigators focus on air pollution and its effects on human health and the ecosystem. The Library’s collections and services provide exposure to and experience with a wide range of materials, including biomedical, toxicological, and chemical information; engineering literature; government documents; and basic management and computer information. The EPA-RTP Library internship has been a cornerstone of the library’s service model since 1975. The library is staffed by a mixture of full-time professional librarians and up to eight graduate student interns.
Position Summary
The Political and Civic Applications Division (PCAD) is a research team within CITAP that builds software to support quantitative, human-centered studies of information environments. Led by Dr. Deen Freelon, the PCAD team has already built its first application, PIEGraph. The tool is actively tracking a demographically-matched sample of US Twitter users, whose personal feeds it then captures, giving a clearer picture of the relationships between their demographic characteristics, political opinions, and the quality of information that appears in their timelines.
We invite applications for a postdoctoral research fellow to join the PCAD team and support the ongoing development and use of PIEGraph and other software applications. Successful applicants will be expected to spend approximately 50% of their time working with PCAD and approximately 50% on their own independent research projects, joining other pre-existing center studies, and contributing to the intellectual life of the center. The position requires no teaching, but fellows may opt to teach up to one class per academic year.
Duties include:
50%: PCAD duties (as directed by Dr. Freelon)
45% Conceptualizing and carrying out independent research projects related to CITAP’s core subjects (political processes, mis- and disinformation, democracy and equality, and platforms, networks, and infrastructure). Publishing these as academic publications (papers, books, conference papers) as appropriate.
5%: Leading, facilitating, and participating in center activities, from retreats and research workshops to mentorship of Ph.D. students and affiliates.
Minimum Education and Experience Requirements
A PhD in Information Science, Communication, Sociology, Political Science, or related field is required. The PhD should be completed, dissertation defended, and transcript indicating degree awarded in hand by the time the postdoc begins in the Fall 2022 semester.
Required Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience
Strong research, analysis, and writing skills are required for this position. The candidate is expected to demonstrate expertise in an area related to CITAP’s existing research activities. They must be able to think and work within a highly collaborative, multidisciplinary team and have the ability to tailor written and oral communications to multiple audiences such as the public, journalists, tech industry professionals, policymakers, and academic communities.
Preferred Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience
* Computational social science (specifically social media data analysis)
* Survey design and analysis
* The quantitative study of race, gender, ideology, and/or other major identity characteristics
* Political communication (specifically the study of mis/disinformation, polarization, and/or hyperpartisan content)
* Human-computer interaction (HCI)
* User experience (UX) design
Special Physical/Mental Requirements
Special Instructions
For information on UNC Postdoctoral Benefits and Services click here
Quick Link https://unc.peopleadmin.com/postings/240132

Posting Contact Information


Department Contact Name and Title Wendy Andrews
Department Contact Telephone or Email [email protected]
Postdoctoral Affairs Contact Information
If you experience any problems accessing the system or have questions about the application process, please contact the University’s Equal Employment Opportunity office at (919) 966-3576 or send an email to [email protected]. 
 
Please note: The Equal Employment Opportunity office will not be able to provide specific updates regarding position or application status.
Equal Opportunity Employer Statement
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, race, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or status as a protected veteran.

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