Career Center

The Center for Human Rights and Global Justice (CHRGJ) at New York University School of Law is recruiting a full-time researcher to work on the Digital Welfare State and Human Rights Project.

The Digital Welfare State and Human Rights Project investigates the human rights impacts of the digital transformation of the state, focusing specifically on the rights and experiences of marginalized groups across varied national contexts. The project team engages in research, convening, education, coordination, and action to highlight and mitigate the costs of governments' initiatives to introduce digital technologies into their services and operations.

The Research Scholar will work closely with senior researchers in the project team to undertake rigorous research, produce written outputs, and assist in the organization of workshops, consultations, and events. They will help to shape the team's cutting-edge research and advocacy agenda on human rights and the digitalization of the public sector.

Their primary responsibility will be to conduct research, through desk-based academic research, scoping work to map harms, and assisting with research interviews. This research will support key substantive projects which relate to the digitalization of government, which are global in scope, and which center on social and economic inequalities. Examples of ongoing work include a research project investigating the human rights impacts of digital identification systems in various national contexts, and a research project mapping the environmental harms arising from digital government transformation.

They will also support the organization and running of public-facing webinars and academic workshops. They will be involved in running the "Transformer States" Series of blogs and interviews on Digital Government and Human Rights. They will conduct scoping research to plan a diverse set of interviews, and will curate blog posts from scholars and activists.

The Research Scholar will also provide organizational assistance across the Project's lines of work, including occasional communications and outreach to partner organizations and collaborators, as well as representatives of governments and international organizations.

Benefits and terms of employment

This position is for an initial 6-month employment contract, with the possibility of renewal(s). Candidates must have the right to work in the United States for the duration of the 6-month contract.

In compliance with NYC's Pay Transparency Act, the annual base salary range for the position is $60,000 - $65,000, including a generous array of benefits including medical, dental and vision. New York University considers candidates' education and training, key skills, work experience, internal peer equity, and organizational considerations when extending an offer.

Candidates must have an advanced degree in law, political science, international relations, or a related field (JD or Master's). They must demonstrate strong knowledge of international human rights law. An understanding of economic and social rights is highly desirable, as is an understanding and sensitivity to intersectional inequalities. Knowledge of issues surrounding digital technologies is also highly desirable, as is a strong willingness to learn about and explore innovative areas of rights-based research.

Strong competence in human rights-based research and writing is required. The candidate must have at least 2 years of experience in research related to human rights. Comparative research skills and an ability to conduct legal and non-legal research across very different contexts and jurisdictions are highly desirable. An interest in and understanding of human rights advocacy work is also highly desirable.

The candidate must be able to work independently and in a small, fast-moving team. They must be able to produce high-quality written material for different audiences under tight deadlines. They must have excellent organizational skills and strong oral and written communication skills, including an ability to communicate well with diverse audiences and partner organizations. Fluency in English is required; fluency in other languages is highly desirable.

To apply, please submit a resume, cover letter, and writing sample through Interfolio. Candidates should confirm in their cover letter that they have the right to work in the United States. The writing sample should be maximum five pages long and can be a short extract of a longer piece; this need not be legal writing, and it must be unedited by third parties.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

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NYU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to a policy of equal treatment and opportunity in every aspect of its recruitment and hiring process without regard to age, alienage, caregiver status, childbirth, citizenship status, color, creed, disability, domestic violence victim status, ethnicity, familial status, gender and/or gender identity or expression, marital status, military status, national origin, parental status, partnership status, predisposing genetic characteristics, pregnancy, race, religion, reproductive health decision making, sex, sexual orientation, unemployment status, veteran status, or any other legally protected basis. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of minority sexual orientation or gender identity, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply for vacant positions at all levels.

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