Research Specialist, Presidential Senior Fellowship Program

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Overview

Yale’s newly established Presidential Senior Fellowship program aims to foster respectful debate and bridge the gap between academia and society. The program will host conversations on the permanent questions of humanistic concern--How to live a good life? How to create a good society?-through podcasts, on campus events and on all the platforms of public conversation.

The Research Specialist will collaborate closely with the Jackson School Presidential Senior Fellow, David Brooks, on various tasks related to program development and implementation. Key responsibilities include:

• Assisting with research and content development for events such as lectures, panels, workshops, and podcasts.
• Conducting detailed research on a wide range of topics.
• Compiling and summarizing data and information for the Fellow's use.
• Monitoring media for relevant stories and public discourse.
• Preparing the Fellow for various interviews.
• Supporting special events and activities.

This role requires in-depth research and writing on topics relevant to the liberal arts.

Applicants are required to submit a brief writing sample.

This is a 5 year fixed duration position.

Required Skills and Abilities

1. Excellent research skills with the ability to review, interpret, and synthesize complex information on a wide-range of topics clearly and concisely.
2. Superior written and oral communication skills. Clear and effective communicator with the ability to think analytically and articulate ideas in verbal and written forms.
3. Strong interpersonal skills with a demonstrated ability to interact with a wide range of individuals and audiences, including faculty, administrators, and high-profile individuals. Professionalism, maturity, good judgment, and the ability to handle confidential information.
4. Excellent organizational skills with the ability to adapt to changing work demands and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment. Proven ability to meet deadlines, respond timely to requests, and ensure thoroughness and follow-through on various projects. Capable of working both independently and collaboratively on complex tasks with minimal supervision.
5. Basic knowledge of American intellectual life. Some familiarity with the landscape of thinkers, past and present, who shape the public conversation. The person should have an intrinsic interest in the books, essays, substacks and podcasts created by those who are involved in the clash of ideas.

Preferred Skills and Abilities:

1. Degree in liberal arts

Principal Responsibilities

1. Manages special projects ranging from academic to financial from inception to completion, which requires quantitative analysis, independent research, and the proposal of resolutions or conclusions. Creates and envisions programmatic initiatives and communication strategies.
2. Designs and develops communications strategies for special projects. Develops and exercises a keen understanding of the multiple audiences and contributing University offices involved in a given project to ensure that individual communications are rolled out within a structure planned in advance and with appropriate communication among key stakeholders.
3. Envisions, creates and authors a wide variety of sensitive and high-level written materials. Serves as coordinator and executor for a range of internal and external committees. May participate in decisions regarding committee work. Advises panelists on precedents and prior actions.
4. Serves as Secretary for committee(s), manages informal and formal resolution processes and voluminous correspondence.
5. May supervise the work of project coordinator and administrative staff.
6. Serves as liaison to other departments on all communications.
7. Contributes to design, organization, and maintenance of department website.
8. May perform other duties as assigned.

Required Education and Experience

Bachelor's Degree in a related field and four years of related work experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.