Job Opening
Research Assistant for Gar Alperovitz, www.garalperovitz.com
Review of applications will begin March 23, 2009. Late applications,
however, may possibly be considered in special cases. Applications
received after April 3, 2009 will not be considered.
Salary: $35,000-$45,000, depending on work and academic experience and
qualifications. Job includes health benefits and three weeks vacation.
Length of position: Two-year commitment (contingent on satisfactory
90-day and annual review) necessary to insure continuity of support in
completion of book in progress. Position can extend beyond two years by
mutual agreement.
Start date: May 1st (Preferred). Later start date will be considered,
but strongly prefer to start no later than May 18th in order to ensure
two weeks overlap with outgoing research assistant.
To Apply: Send résumé, cover letter and writing sample related to
requirements of job to Research Associate Steve Dubb [email protected].
Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
Basic Function
Provides research assistance in support of progressive
political-economist and historian Gar Alperovitz, author of America
Beyond Capitalism [Wiley 2005], Just Deserts [New Press, 2008], The
Decision to Use the Atomic Bomb [Knopf 1995] and many other books.
Undertakes independent research assignments with minimal supervision;
drafts summaries of findings; and assists with preparation of
publications. Work includes handling a wide range of detailed
“information requests” related to the development of books, articles,
and speeches.
Must be comfortable working in a support role. Must interact with the
public in an open and pleasant manner. The job also involves spending a
great deal of time working alone in an office, so must also be
comfortable working in an environment with limited daily face-to-face
interaction.
Education/Experience Requirements
Bachelor’s degree in a social science or history required. Master’s
degree and/or equivalent work experience (e.g., policy work, research
experience, and/or journalism experience) preferred. Evidence of
previous work demonstrating extreme accuracy and attention to detail
critical.
Knowledge Requirements
Familiarity with and knowledge of and interest in left/progressive
American politics, economics, and history broadly defined, required.
Must be proficient in working in Word and Excel. Must have a thorough
knowledge of library and online research resources with capacity to
conduct independent research desired. Strong interpersonal and
organizational skills are required. Must have an exceptional ability to
synthesize information and write clearly and precisely without
supervision. Must be able to pay attention to detail; precision is
critical. Prior knowledge of HTML and/or basic familiarity with basic
quantitative data analysis (e.g., SPSS, GIS) preferred.
Principal Duties and Responsibilities
75% Research Assistance
Researches and collects documents and information from various sources
(government agencies, universities, libraries, Internet, non-profit
research organizations, etc.) for long-term research projects on a broad
range of topics including, but not limited to, social security; health
care reform; tax policy; income distribution; public and nonprofit forms
of business ownership; energy and climate change; and other issues in
American politics and economics. Collects and prepares data from various
sources for qualitative (and occasionally quantitative) analysis.
Compiles, reads, abstracts, synthesizes, analyzes, and organizes written
and electronic material into summarized form. Analyzes and produces
written summaries of quantitative data. Provides editing assistance for
research products in preparation for publication. Provides general
research on a variety of short-term projects. Prepares and verifies
factual entries based on above in manuscripts on a regular basis.
25% Administrative and Outreach
Answers phone, types some dictations, going to post office, answers the
door, arranges travel, provides first-level “trouble shooting”
assistance with computer network. Will also coordinate hiring process
for and supervise part-time administrative assistant to handle some of
these tasks.
Identifies areas of focus for the assistant position, reviews résumés,
conducts interviews, and collaborates with Dr. Alperovitz to select
assistant.
Maintains http://www.garalperovitz.com website and other
publication-related websites. Provides assistance with publicity as
needed. Acts as a support person for research seminar.
Women and people of color are strongly encouraged to apply. (Only
applicants meeting minimum qualifications for the position will be
considered. No phone calls please.)
