Temporary Research Language Analyst

Department ​
 
SSD: Chicago Project on Security and Threats - Staff and Temporary Employees

About the Department

​

The Chicago Project on Security and Threats (CPOST) is an international security affairs research institute based at the University of Chicago. Founded in 2004 by Robert A. Pape, Professor of Political Science at the university, CPOST is best known for creating and maintaining the most comprehensive and transparent suicide attack database available. It continues to pursue empirically based research but does not ignore the human element. Drawing on the diverse expertise at the University of Chicago, CPOST finds social-science solutions to complex threats. We are creating a non-partisan open-source toolkit to better address emerging threats for government and corporate partners, while training the next generation of difference-makers in policy, business, the military and academia. Videos will be screened so that analysts do not encounter highly graphic violence. We are concerned with what militant groups say and how, not the specifically violent aspects of the videos. The APAT project does not attempt to explain militant behavior purely through religion or ideology, let alone pass judgment on scriptural passages. Our aim is simply to learn more about militant groups’ use of religious scripture--how, when, and why they misuse it to recruit and motivate fighters. As US military and foreign policy begins shifting focus away from Muslim-majority nations, research organizations like CPOST will need to take a more prominent role in studying global jihadist terrorism. Work such as ours, which seeks to better dissect the behavior of these groups, can ultimately save lives.

Job Information ​
 

Job Summary:

This role of Temporary Research Language Analyst consists of viewing and analyzing propaganda issued by militant groups. The analyses are then aggregated to be studied for academic and national security implications.  The Chicago Project on Security and Threats (CPOST) is accepting applications part-time Arabic and Quranic Analysts.

The positions support CPOST’s multi-year academic project on Islamic militant propaganda from Al-Qaeda to ISIS with an emphasis on the role of narrative and scripture in appealing to audiences in the Arabic-speaking world. CPOST alumni have gone on to careers in government service, policy, academia, and the private sector.

Selected candidates will fill a crucial role in collecting and analyzing propaganda videos produced by groups like ISIS, Al Qaeda, and al-Shabaab. Research tasks primarily consist of translating, coding, summarizing, and analyzing Arabic-language propaganda produced by militant groups. They will work on a team of researchers supporting Professor Robert Pape and CPOST's senior staff in the production of academic articles and publishable reports.

Hiring is contingent on successful completion of a translation assessment.

The analyst position is all remote and will start May 9, 2022, through March 1, 2023.

Responsibilities:

• View and translate militant propaganda videos.
• Read and translate militant print propaganda.
• Perform qualitative analysis of the material.
• Contribute to team discussion on the research.
• Contribute to other team duties as needed.
• Analysts must be able to translate from Arabic to English with a high degree of accuracy.
• Ability to identify audible Quranic verses and Hadiths with ease is essential.
• Fill a crucial role in collecting and analyzing propaganda videos produced by groups like ISIS, Al Qaeda, and al-Shabaab.
• Research tasks primarily consist of translating, coding, summarizing, and analyzing Arabic-language propaganda produced by militant groups.
• Will work on a team of researchers supporting Professor Robert Pape and CPOST's senior staff in the production of academic articles and publishable reports.

Competencies:

• Any person conducting research at CPOST is expected to exhibit a high degree of professionalism, as well as consideration toward her peers and the nature of the work.

Additional Requirements ​​
 

Education, Experience, or Certifications:

Education:

• Bachelors degree in related field required.

Experience:

• Fluency in Arabic required.
• Native proficiency in Arabic language required.
• High proficiency in Quranic scripture is preferred.
• Previous research experience required.

Required Documents:

• Resume
• Cover letter
• References

When applying, the document(s) MUST  be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Benefit Eligibility ​
 
No

Requires Compliance with University Covid-19 Vaccination Requirement
 

Yes

Pay Frequency ​
 
Hourly

Pay Range
 
Depends on Qualifications

Scheduled Weekly Hours ​
 
20

Union ​
 
Non-Union

Job is Exempt
 
No

Drug Test Required
 
No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
 
No

Health Screen Required
No

Posting Date ​
 
2022-04-07-07:00

Remove from Posting On or Before ​
 
2022-10-07-07:00

Posting Statement: ​​
 

Employees must comply with the University’s COVID-19 vaccination requirements. More information about the requirements can be found on the University of Chicago Vaccination GoForward .
The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/ Equal Opportunity /Disabled/Veterans Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

 

Staff Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

 

We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages a diversity of perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange.

 

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history.  A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment.  Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

 

The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu . Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.