[Matthew K. Gold (he/him)]

Research Project Lead: Media Manipulation – apply by Apr 3

Mar 15, 2017Research Project Lead: Media Manipulation – apply by Apr 3
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Data & Society Research Institute is seeking a dynamic and expert
individual to manage our research and intervention efforts on a project
focused on the role of technology in the manipulation of institutions and
information intermediaries. This position is based out of our New York City
office, and starts immediately.

*Manipulation Project: Understanding How Systems are Gamed*

While technologies are often created with the best of intentions, they are
often used in ways that dismay their creators. As data-driven and social
technologies – and the companies that produce them – become more powerful,
so do the individuals and groups attempting to undermine or manipulate tech
to advance other agendas. From cybersecurity to spam and search engine
optimization to the manipulation of mainstream media, we must confront the
weaknesses and fault lines that appear in a technology and data-driven
society.

At Data & Society, the Manipulation Project seeks to understand the
mechanisms by which adversarial attacks on institutions and information
intermediaries wreak havoc on countless systems, undermine trust in
society, and destroy key mechanisms of social infrastructure– and the
subsequent socio-technical implications. Conversations about topics like
“fake news” or AI-powered bots fail to account for how and why systems can
easily be gamed. This project aims to cut through the hype around these
issues, and understand vulnerabilities in socio-technical systems that go
beyond security and privacy. How can systems be manipulated? And what are
the implications of that kind of manipulation?

*About the Manipulation Project Lead*

You know how to manage a team of researchers working on multiple
trajectories and implement project management practices that lead to
successful outcomes. You enjoy thinking strategically about what is needed
for research to be useful, relevant, and accessible, and are adept at
deploying resources effectively to achieve these ends. You are analytical
and skilled at spotting connections across bodies of research, as well as
understanding the real-world implications and possibilities emerging from
research findings. You are comfortable with research from a variety of
traditions including qualitative, field research, ethnographic and survey
methods.

You have a contrarian mindset and know how to question the assumptions and
frameworks presented to you. You believe in the importance of evidence and
data, but also have an appreciation for why people might be incentivized to
manipulate data-driven systems or use technical tools to achieve
ideological, economic, or personal goals. The idea of better understanding
and broadly communicating conflicting perspectives on controversial topics
greatly appeals to you, and you have experience using research in ways that
may take discussants into uncomfortable socio-political terrain. You
believe that understanding all sides of a seemingly one-sided situation is
crucial for devising solutions. You have no problem challenging sacred cows
and enjoy shifting frames to help drive a conversation in more productive
directions.

You are excited about the possibility of helping bring knowledge to bear in
high-stakes conversations, and coordinating and managing D&S’s research on
these topics.

Responsibilities will include:

– Daily management of a team of 4-5 researchers, including oversight of
workplans, project schedule, deliverables, and project budget.
– Develop overall research project strategy in collaboration with Data &
Society leadership
– Coordinate a network of ~20 scholars, journalists, and researchers to
strategically share insights, data, and frames.
– Manage team resources proactively, identifying new staffing needs as
necessary.
– Develop and own the process of providing regular written and verbal
briefings to key stakeholders in civil society, media, and industry.
– Build and maintain a map of academic and advocacy work happening
within and beyond the D&S network on these issues, and track the arguments
and discussions taking place in various venues.
– Work closely with our research, programs, and communications teams to
ensure that our research is being strengthened through engagement with
stakeholders, and disseminated in appropriate formats to key
decision-makers.
– Develop a trusting relationship with scholars, knowing when to shine a
spotlight on them and their work and when to step in to help with
translation.
– Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholder groups in this
space.
– Balance between advancing a longer-term strategy and responding to
unforeseen but highly relevant events.

Qualifications:

– A passion for supporting research and researchers to work towards
advancing knowledge collectively.
– Extensive project management experience in fast-paced knowledge
production environments.
– Deep familiarity with debates related to those currently emerging
under frames like “fake news” and media manipulation.
– Experience connecting research findings to advocacy and/or policy
recommendations (including using research to challenge approaches being
taken).
– Comfort and experience working between business/tech industry actors,
government, civil society, and research.
– A high level of comfort with digital security tools (e.g., PGP, Tor,
Signal, etc.).
– Excellent writing and editing skills; public speaking skills a plus.
– Willingness to play a visible leadership role in representing Data &
Society’s work and broader research network to other audiences.

We expect that the right candidate for this position is mid-career and has
spent a 5-7 years in a technology company, media institution, or research
institute/think tank, and has managed investigative or research teams in
the past.

*Practical considerations:*

– This is *not *a remote position. You must be able to work full time
from Data & Society’s offices in the Flatiron District.
– You will be offered a generous benefits package including health
insurance, vacation time, and paid holidays.
– You must be eligible to work in the United States. We are unable to
sponsor visas.

*To apply, please submit the following to jobs@datasociety.net
<jobs@datasociety.net> by MONDAY, APRIL 3, 2017:*

1. A cover letter explaining your interest in this role, how you learned
about this opportunity, how you approach project management of research
efforts, and how you see the issue of manipulation unfolding at the
intersection of technology and society today. (Please also include the
names, affiliations, and email addresses of two references)
2. Your resume/CV

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Please feel free to
contact us at jobs@datasociety.net should you have any questions about the
position. Questions about the opportunity or process will not reflect
negatively on your application.

*About Data & Society Research Institute*

Data & Society focuses on the social and cultural issues arising from
data­centric technological development. We seek to inform and develop
frames for discussion of these complex issues both through our own research
and through supporting the expansion of a nascent field of actors concerned
about these topics. We want to be a resource, a catalyst, and a convener as
new sectors recognize the complexity of the issues and the need for
trade­offs when they increase their reliance on data as a tool for
management and decision-making.

We see the field as comprised of researchers, journalists, policymakers,
technologists, industry leaders and workers, funders, advocates, and civil
society actors. We are committed to helping this field engage
substantively, and with an evidence base, in debates over implications
arising from the increasing reliance on data at scale to automated
decision-making across a range of sectors.

*The work and wellbeing of Data & Society is strengthened by the diversity
of our network and our differences in background, and provides equal
employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants without
regard to race, age, creed, color, culture, experience, national origin,
religion or ancestry, genetic information, gender identity or expression,
sexual orientation, ability, pregnancy, and more. We welcome applications
from people of color, women, the LGBTQIA community, and persons with
disabilities. In addition to federal law requirements, Data & Society
complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination
in employment.*

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