MDI is Hiring: 2024-2025 MDI-ISIM Forced Migration Scholars

We are excited to announce a call for applications for the 2024-2025 cohort of the MDI-ISIM Forced Migration Scholars to work with Sonneborn Chairs:

Katharine Donato, Donald G. Herzberg Professor of International Migration, School of Foreign Service, Institute for the Study of International Migration (ISIM)
Lisa Singh, Professor of Computer Science and Public Policy, Director Massive Data Institute (MDI)
Ali Arab, Associate Professor of Statistics and Director of Graduate Studies, Department of Mathematics and Statistics

The 2024-2025 cohort will work with researchers and practitioners on an interdisciplinary forced migration project that uses a unique combination of administrative, organic (social media, Google trends, newspapers, etc.), and survey data to improve our understanding of international migration flows from South and Central America to the US and Canadian border. This includes developing qualitative analyses, statistical models of movement, and measures from different organic data sources. Issues that we may consider include xenophobia, border myths, transit migration, movement in countries of transit, etc. Student scholars will gain valuable research skills, and they will also engage in research that is at the intersection of migration, public policy, data science. See examples of previous work completed by the MaDD project team: https://forcedmigration.cs.georgetown.edu/. If you have any questions about this position, please contact rv444@georgetown.edu.

Program Dates:

August 25, 2024 and May 10, 2025 (Fall 2024 and Spring 2025 semesters)

Background in the following is recommended, not required:

Knowledge of Spanish, Portuguese, and/or French
Experience with Python and/or R
Familiarity with basic statistical modeling

Expectations:

Require attendance at a 2-day bootcamp on campus (evening August 25-27) to meet the cohort of scholars and learn some necessary background for the project
Require working 10-12 hours per week each semester, including weekly meetings with mentors and your cohort.
If you are planning to study abroad in either of those semesters, you should not apply for this position.

Deadline:

For full consideration, the priority application deadline is March 31, 2024 at 11:59pm Eastern. All applicants who apply by March 31 will receive a decision by mid-April. After the priority deadline, we will accept applications until all positions are filled. We anticipate it will take approximately up to 1 hour to complete this application.

Eligibility:

This program is available to enrolled Georgetown University students. The Program provides motivated Georgetown students across disciplines the opportunity to engage in scholarly research. Students must be able to commit to participating in both the Fall 2024 and Spring 2025 semesters to be considered for this program. Students must also agree to participate in a one-week orientation on campus the week before the Fall 2024 semester. Coursework and/or previous research experience in computer science, data science, statistics, migration, public policy and/or computational linguistics is preferred, but we encourage students of all majors to apply. Students should have a demonstrated interest and knowledge of working with large-scale data analysis and its implications in society

Hiring Procedure and Criteria:

Please answer a few questions and share more information through the online application. Please provide the following information to the best of your ability.

Please note Georgetown Graduate students — must complete: 1) formal application through Hoyaworks (a cover letter is NOT needed in Hoyaworks) https://seo.georgetown.edu/JobXJobDetail.aspx?JobId=31059 *and* 2) the google form application.Georgetown Undergrad students — Complete only the google form application.

Job Requirments:

During the academic year, student researchers are expected to work up to 20 hours a week, depending on the project. Students can not exceed more than 20 hours for all Georgetown jobs during the academic term. In addition, students must be able to commit to participating in both the Fall 2024 and Spring 2025 semesters to be considered for this program. Students must also agree to participate in a one-week orientation on campus the week before the Fall 2024 semester.

Rate of Pay:

Students will be paid hourly; the expected compensation is $18/hour for undergraduates and the GAGE GSA rate, $22.66/hour for Master’s Students.

Mode of Work:

Hybrid (Meetings will take place in person, but some research tasks can take place remotely).

Program Timeline:

*subject to change*
Application Deadline: For full consideration, the priority application deadline is March 31, 2024 at 11:59pm Eastern. All applicants who apply by March 31 will receive a decision by April 14. After the priority deadline, we will accept applications until all positions are filled.
Position Start Date: August 21, 2024
Position Termination: May 15, 2025

About MDI

At Georgetown’s McCourt School of Public Policy, the Massive Data Institute (MDI) is an interdisciplinary research institute that connects experts across computer science, data science, public health, public policy, and social science to tackle societal scale issues and impact public policy in a way that improves people’s lives through responsible evidence-based research.

EEO Statement:

The Massive Data Institute at Georgetown University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer fully dedicated to achieving a diverse faculty and staff. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity and expression, and sexual orientation), disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

2024-2025 Application

For full consideration due March 31, 2024 at 11:59pm Eastern