Job Description
Position overview Position title: Open Source Investigations Specialist
Salary range: The UC academic salary scales set the minimum pay determined by rank and step at appointment. See the following table(s) for the current salary scale(s) for this position: . The current base salary range for this position is $61,300-$137,400. "Off-scale" salaries, which yield compensation that is higher than the published system-wide salary at the designated rank and step, are offered when necessary to meet competitive conditions.
Percent time: 100%
Anticipated start: Summer 2024
Position duration: One-year term position, with the possibility of renewal
Application Window
Open date: August 7, 2024
Next review date: Wednesday, Aug 21, 2024 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.
Final date: Friday, Sep 6, 2024 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.
Position description
The Human Rights Center (HRC) is a multi-disciplinary research, investigations and training center housed within UC Berkeley School of Law that works with departments across campus to apply innovative technologies and scientic methods to investigate war crimes and other serious violations of human rights. Based on our ndings, we recommend policy measures to protect vulnerable populations and hold perpetrators accountable. We train students and practitioners around the world and provide them with the skills and tools necessary to document human rights abuses and turn this information into eective action.
Building on its longstanding work in the field, the Human Rights Center launched an Investigations Lab in 2016 to strengthen the use of new and emerging technologies in human rights research and practice. The Lab was the first university-based organization of its kind through which students, faculty and staff work in teams to conduct open source investigations and support the work of human rights researchers, journalists, and lawyers. Students are trained to find and verify publicly-available information online that is relevant to potential violations of human rights, international criminal law and humanitarian law. Each year, an impressively diverse cohort of approximately 25-50 students work with the Lab. In addition to project-specific partnerships that are developed each semester, we collaborate with ongoing partners through HRC's membership in Amnesty International's Digital Verification Corps and the University of California Digital Investigations Network.
The Open Source Investigations Specialist helps to shape and oversee the research conducted in the center's Investigations Lab, and provides professional-level research and related support to HRC's and its partners' investigations. The Investigator works closely with the Lab's co-founder/faculty director, as well as other members of the Human Rights Center team, including but not limited to the Investigations Lab's Assistant Director and Open Source Training Manager. The Open Source Investigations Specialist also works with external practitioners, policymakers, and other academics to promote evidence-based policies as well as practice-focused research and investigations.
The Open Source Investigations Specialist's work will include designing, implementing and reporting on original studies and methodological advancements that add to existing knowledge about ways that digital technologies can be used to enhance the eciency and ecacy of human rights investigations. Outputs may include workshops, blog posts, social media threads, reports, white papers, book chapters, amicus curiae briefs, implementation tools, practitioner papers, and other appropriate means for sharing and advancing information relative to digital open source investigations.
The Open Source Investigations Specialist is expected to stay informed about the latest digital open source investigation methodologies, conduct research, and publish his/her research ndings-including guidance for the digital open source investigations community. The Open Source Investigations Specialist may be expected to travel domestically and/or internationally for eld work, conferences, research, trainings, workshops and other meetings.
The Open Source Investigations Specialist may conduct training of students and practitioners in close coordination with the Investigations Lab's Director, the Investigation Lab's Assistant Director, and the Human Rights Center's Training Manager, as well as speak as an expert on investigations-related ndings and methods with the media, funders, and other strategic partners.
The Open Source Investigations Specialist is expected to provide investigations support to teams of researchers, including professional research sta and students. The Open Source Investigations Specialist may also work alongside diverse independent contractors who may be hired to provide additional research, training and other support.
For more information on the Human Rights Center : Union Contract : Health and Retirement Benefits : Qualifications
Basic qualifications (required at time of application)
Bachelor's degree or equivalent international degree
Preferred qualifications
Minimum three years of work experience related to digital open source investigations
Experience in human rights, international law, cybersecurity and/or related research
Familiarity with the Berkeley Protocol on Digital Open Source Investigations
Intermediate to advanced understanding of digital open source investigation methods and knowledge of digital open source investigation ethics
Intermediate to advanced knowledge of physical, digital and psychosocial security
Working understanding of international law and/or practice
Familiarity with basic coding languages (such as Python or other)
Familiarity working with visual media, including media production and/or Adobe Suite
Strong oral and written communication skills
Ability to think creatively and independently on problem-solving
Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work with diverse groups to achieve results and to work well as part of a team in a fast-paced environment
Excellent ability to work both independently and collaboratively
Ability to design, implement and oversee complex investigations
Ability to mentor graduate and undergraduate students
Facility in Spanish, French, Arabic, Russian or another language, in addition to English
Application Requirements
Document requirements
Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
Cover Letter
Writing Sample - A writing sample of which you are the sole author (academic, mass media, NGO reports, etc). Page range is exible.
Statement on Contributions to Advancing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion - Statement on your contributions to diversity, equity, and inclusion, including information about your understanding of these topics, your record of activities to date, and your specific plans and goals for advancing equity and inclusion if hired at Berkeley. More Information and guidelines
(Optional)
Reference requirements
3 required (contact information only) Apply link: Help contact: [email protected] About UC Berkeley
UC Berkeley is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. The excellence of the institution requires an environment in which the diverse community of faculty, students, and staff are welcome and included. Successful candidates will demonstrate knowledge and skill related to ensuring equity and inclusion in the activities of their academic position (e.g., teaching, research, and service, as applicable).
The University of California, Berkeley is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or protected veteran status.
Please refer to the University of California's Affirmative Action Policy and the University of California's Anti-Discrimination Policy .
In searches when letters of reference are required all letters will be treated as confidential per University of California policy and California state law. Please refer potential referees, including when letters are provided via a third party (i.e., dossier service or career center), to the UC Berkeley statement of confidentiality prior to submitting their letter.
As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.
Job location
Berkeley, CA
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Job Tags
Contract work, For contractors, Work experience placement, Summer work, Local area,