Hi everyone, we’re looking for a GRA for the fall; contact me, Prof Karen Fisher (fisher@uw.edu<mailto:fisher@uw.edu>) at the iSchool for more info. It’s a pilot project funded by Microsoft and the UW. Thanks. Graduate Research Assistant – Ethnic Minority Female Youth as Info Mediaries<https://ischool.uw.edu/jobs/students> Autumn Quarter 2012 University of Washington Information School Location Information School, Mary Gates Hall Position Title Graduate Research Assistant –Info Mediary Pilot Project Start Date: 09/16/2012 End Date: 12/15/2012, this position is for Autumn quarter 2012 only, it will not be extended. Deadline to Apply: This position is open until filled. Priority will be given to applicants that apply before 9/2/12. This position will average 20 hours per week. Project Description The University of Washington Information School has an outstanding opportunity for a Graduate Research Assistant to help conduct a pilot study addressing how immigrant and refugee female youth act as Info Mediaries to members of their social networks, especially female elders. During the Fall Quarter 2012 we will engage 20-24 youth using our Teen Design Day Methodology to understand how (1) they surface the needs of others, communicate/provide information and technical help, and how they manage information; (2) how elders and others engage with youth and benefit from provided assistance; and, (3) how these behaviors can be supported by participatory design. Working with several community partners, the youth will keep diaries of their Info Mediary behavior. At regular Teen Design Thinking Days located in community centers in South Seattle the teens will work with technology experts from the UW and Microsoft Research to devise ways of facilitating their own behavior as well as future diary keeping, capturing and reporting. At the Teen Design Thinking Days, community members will participate in meeting the teens’ needs for physical activity, competence & achievement, self-definition, creative expression, positive social interaction, structure and clear limits, meaningful participation) in cross-culturally ways, e.g., African dance class, cooking, drumming, beading. The project will end with a community/family showcase where the teens share their work with their parents, and the project funders, instructors, and parents select a winning design for further development in Stage Two in the Winter. Time permitting we will also engage with the parents of the teen design days participants as well as other community leaders to better understand the community and the context at large. This research based on our past work funded by the federal government and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation that shows 2/3rds of the public seek information on behalf others using public library technology, and that youth--especially those who speak languages other than English at home—have the greatest propensity for involvement. Position Description The University of Washington Information School is seeking applicants for a Research Assistant position working directly with immigrant and refugee female youth and their elders. The successful applicant will assist the investigators (Karen Fisher, iSchool Professor and Phil Fawcett, iSchool PhD student and Microsoft) with carrying out key phases of the study, including organizing Teen Days, recruiting participants, collecting and analyzing qualitative and quantitative data, and writing research reports. The PIs are seeking an applicant who is highly organized, self-motivated, competent with using diverse research methodologies—including social network analysis, enjoys working with community stake holders and has a high aptitude for the areas of design and human information behavior. Duties include: * Conduct and summarize literature reviews to support publications and grant proposals * Keep project webpages current and updated during the pilot and subsequent phases of the project * Work with the PIs to plan and conduct the Teen Days * Collect and analyze field and social network data * Assist/support writing of grant proposals, publications, funder reports, project website, etc Requirements * Significant knowledge of human information behavior, especially among youth, ethnic minorities, immigrants, community * Strong organizational, scheduling, and coordination skills and the ability to work across organizational and cultural frameworks. * Experience working in a team setting and with community stakeholders * Excellent written and verbal communication skills * Excellent search skills * Strong attention to detail * Able to work efficiently and independently in a rapidly changing work environment * Computer-proficient and comfortable using software applications such as MS SharePoint, MS Office and Outlook, Internet Explorer, and social media * Demonstrated experience using research software such as SPSS, SAS, and Atlas.ti or SQL. Preferred Qualifications: · Experience with teaching technical disciplines to Middle School and High School students · Prior experience in event planning and coordination * Familiarity with website design and web tools including HTML 5; SQL or related database tools; programming principles, programming languages, programing logic preferred; Microsoft Touch Develop, (http://research.microsoft.com/en-us/projects/touchdevelop/), MIT Scratch (http://scratch.mit.edu/ ), Microsoft Kodu,( http://research.microsoft.com/en-us/projects/kodu/, Microsoft .NET Gadgeteer (http://research.microsoft.com/en-us/projects/gadgeteer/default.aspx ), the .Net Microsoft framework http://www.netmf.com/ and C # programming language * Experience working with Immigrant populations and environments with English as a 2nd language (ESL) or in developing countries. This position is open to University of Washington graduate level students enrolled in the Information School, Computer Science & Engineering, Jackson School, Evans School, Psychology, Social Work, and Women’s Studies. Students will be compensated at the union regulated rate with tuition and benefits. Questions regarding compensation should be directed to Crystal Yost, Assistant HR Manager crystaly@uw.edu<mailto:crystaly@uw.edu>. To apply 1. Please include a cover letter describing your skills and experiences relevant to position, program in which you’re enrolled and level, and future goals. 2. Attach a current resume that includes your work history, academic accomplishments and names of three references. Please submit all application materials to iSchool Human Resources at iApply@uw.edu<mailto:iApply@uw.edu> with “Graduate RA – LIMtB Pilot Project” in the subject line by Sunday, September 2, 2012. All candidates will be contacted within two weeks of closing date. This job classification is governed by a negotiated labor contract and is subject to union shop provisions. For more information about union shop provisions, visit: www.washington.edu/admin/hr/jobs/apl/union-info.html<http://www.washington.edu/admin/hr/jobs/apl/union-info.html> The University of Washington is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer. Women, minorities, individuals with disabilities and covered veterans are encouraged to apply.