Graduate Assistant @ Institute for Museum and Library Services

Posted by Michael Walsh on

Project Title: Cultivating Equitable and Sustainable Ecosystems for Legacy Research Data

Project Overview: This project focuses on understanding efforts to rescue and digitize legacy or heritage data, which are often stored in outdated formats and contexts. The project aims to understand how libraries can play a role in managing older research data and create a framework for deciding which data to preserve, why, and for how long, addressing a critical national need. Research topics covered in Library & Information Science include scientific information lifecycles; international research/data contexts; sharing knowledge and equipment for legacy data rescue; and integrating legacy data with open science.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Engage in research activities including literature reviews, survey, and interviews.
  • Participate in case study analysis focusing on legacy data in astronomy and the social sciences (political economy).
  • Contribute to the creation of curricular materials for data curation education.
  • Assist with preparation of reports, publications and other materials documenting the project.
  • Assist with adhering to the data management plan, including preparing data for publication.
  • Assist with establishing a web presence for the project (website, social media engagement).
  • Attend regular project meetings.

Position Details:

  • This is a fully remote role beginning January 2024.
  • The position is available on a semester or yearly basis, with potential extension up to two years, subject to performance reviews each semester.
  • Stipend: The appointment includes a stipend at half time (20 hours per week).
  • Waiver: The appointment includes a waiver of nine hours of in-state tuition. Course fees and insurance are not covered.
  • The ideal candidate will be curious, self-motivated, and able to work and conduct research independently.

Qualifications:

  • Essential: Background or strong interest in data curation and/or digital preservation.
  • Highly Desirable: Research experience (qualitative research is emphasized). This may include conducting literature reviews; qualitative research including surveys, interviews, and document analysis; and quantitative analysis such as bibliometric research and descriptive statistics.
  • Preferred: Completion of a research methods course prior to or during employment on the project.
  • Advantageous: Proficiency in Spanish, to facilitate the analysis of Spanish-language literature and documents. Interest or background in astronomy and/or political economy is beneficial as well.

Professional Development:

  • The project not only aims to contribute to the field but also to the professional growth of the GA. Students are encouraged to pursue and integrate their research interests within the scope of the project.

How to Apply:

  • Candidates should submit a brief cover letter detailing their interest in the project and any relevant experience, along with their CV.
  • For best consideration, the application deadline is November 27, 2023. 
  • Application materials should be submitted by email to Dr. Gretchen Stahlman (gstahlman@fsu.edu).