"Research Scholar - (1 Year Fixed-Term)"

Stanford's Department of Health Policy (DHP) invites applicants for a full-time (100%) Research Scholar (1 year fixed-term) position that will collaborate on research using large-scale, open-source data to support anti-trafficking efforts in Brazil as part of a dynamic, mission-driven team in the fast-growing, interdisciplinary Stanford Human Trafficking Data Lab. The primary research project is a supply chain tracing tool that uses publicly available data to identify supply chains affected by known human trafficking and deforestation cases. Secondary projects include the use of LLMs to compile validated structured data from a large corpus of primary source documents, and social science research to understand the impact of changing environmental policy on human trafficking markets.

DHP produces interdisciplinary, world-class research on domestic and international health that advances our understanding of how health care can be delivered, and shapes the formulation of health care policy around the world. DHP seeks a Research Scholar in the Stanford Human Trafficking Data Lab working under Professor Grant Miller and in collaboration with several other faculty and researchers. The Stanford Human Trafficking Data Lab is a collegial, multidisciplinary research collaboration with both academic expertise and frontline anti-trafficking experience working to apply the most promising research innovations to combat human trafficking.

The Research Scholar reports to the Lab's Principal Investigator, and is responsible for overseeing the work of undergraduate research assistance contributing to each project. The research scholar is expected to participate in regular team and one-on-one meetings as needed for each project, to collaborate on the preparation of manuscripts and research reports, and make regular progress reports on each project.

The style of workflow in the Lab requires all members to be collaborative, adaptable, and comfortable working in among a team that is often scattered across geographies. The Lab's Research Scholar will need to act with autonomy, but in a way that reflects Lab priorities as set by the Principal Investigators.

Candidates must have a Ph.D. in relevant social science or technical discipline (e.g. computer or data science, engineering) and several years of experience in data science applications. Familiarity with Stanford University policies and protocols is a plus, but is not necessary. Similarly, subject matter expertise in human trafficking or the broader human rights and international development field is preferred, but not necessary.

Duties include:

• Lead research, source and process appropriate public datasets, develop pipelines and model architecture, and collaborate with the team on a user interface for open data supply chain tracing platform
• Lead research projects using LLM models to compile and validate structured data from primary document sources
• Lead social science research projects to explore the relationship between environmental policy and human trafficking
• Attend weekly all-hands lab meetings, one-on-one meetings with Stanford and Brazil-based research team
• Mentor Stanford undergraduate research assistants, manage collaborative team project work
• Manage Lab's open datasets and cloud computing infrastructure as needed for relevant projects
• Prepare manuscripts, research reports, progress reports, and literature reviews related to research projects

The job duties listed are typical examples of work performed by positions in this job classification and are not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities. Specific duties and responsibilities may vary depending on department or program needs without changing the general nature and scope of the job or level of responsibility. Employees may also perform other duties as assigned.

The expected pay range for this position is $94,000 - $124,000 per annum.

QUALIFICATIONS / MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

REQUIRED:

• Ph.D. in relevant social science or technical discipline (e.g. computer or data science, engineering)
• Proficiency in sourcing, acquiring, and preprocessing large-scale open datasets, including geospatial data.
• Strong data science and computer programming skills (python, R, etc)
• Excellent data management and integration skills
• Strong written and interpersonal communication skills
• Experience with statistical and geospatial analysis of large, open-source datasets
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively as a member of a broad, dispersed research team.
• Demonstrated experience in data science applications to sustainable development challenges.
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize own work and multi-task.
• Demonstrated ability to take initiative and ownership of projects.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Ability to routinely and independently exercise sound judgment in decision-making.

DESIRED:

• Experience working on issues of human trafficking and/or labor exploitation.
• Prior experience in collaborative empirical research, including projects supported by large extramural grants

Additional Information
* Schedule: Full-time
* Job Code: 6784
* Employee Status: Fixed-Term
* Grade: R99
* Requisition ID: 108538
* Work Arrangement: Hybrid Eligible