How to Apply
Apply Here
Please apply with a CV and cover letter here:
This position is available for Work-Study and non-Work-Study applicants. Interested Work-Study students can find the posting in the Work-Study Management System (WSMS) at Job # 7599277894 and should fill out the form linked above to apply.
Application Window
Applicants are reviewed on a rolling basis. The research team hopes to hire early in the Spring 2025 semester.
Job Description
Position overview
Working Title: Graduate Student Researcher for a project engaging neuroscientists, users of Brain-Computer Interfaces, and the public
Appointment type: Graduate Student Researcher
Appointment duration:
Start: As soon as possible. End: End of Fall 2025 semester
Compensation: Standard GSR salary rate (current rates can be found here)
%FTE: 25%
About the Kavli Center for Ethics, Science, and the Public
The University of California, Berkeley Kavli Center for Ethics, Science, and the Public is a multi-disciplinary, academic center formed under the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research. The Center is based on the recognition that discoveries in science are increasingly posing questions for society that science alone cannot address, and for which scientists themselves are often ill-prepared to confront and publics are disenfranchised to shape. The Kavli Center works to break down the barriers that separate scientists, humanities scholars, and the public from each other; providing an inclusive, multi-disciplinary framework for understanding the ethical implications of science and technology, and helping scientific advances be answerable to fundamental human interests. The Kavli Center for Ethics, Science, and the Public works to achieve this through training programs, research, and public, stakeholder, and community engagement on ethical questions raised by advances in science.
Our conceptual organization comprises three elements: a “hub”, representing the core activities of the Center, where all who are affiliated with it come together to address fundamental ethical questions across disciplinary boundaries; “spokes” linking these activities to our three scientific fields of interest – genome editing, artificial intelligence, and neuroscience; and an “axle” connecting the Center with the larger society in a two-way process of outreach and engagement. Faculty and partnering UC Berkeley centers and institutes in each of these elements form the Kavli Center's structure. Read more about the center here: https://kavlicenter.berkeley.edu/our-vision
About the Project
In order to realize our vision of a world in which the ethical trade-offs of science are well-balanced to benefit society, we must engage society with scientists. With generous funding from the Rita Allen Foundation, the Kavli Center for Ethics, Science, and the Public in partnership with Neuroscientist and Civic Science Fellow, Dr. Narayan Sankaran, is conducting a community and stakeholder engagement research project to understand and connect impacted communities and non-scientific perspectives into the research agenda for the development of novel neurotechnologies, such as Brain-Computer Interfaces that function as neuroprostheses for communication and mobility. The project engages and researches perspectives around the ethical tension between the benefits these technologies may confer for people with disabilities on the one hand, and the threats to privacy that these technologies are perceived to create on the other.
Learn more about the project here.
About the Position
We are seeking an enthusiastic and organized Graduate Student Researcher to help coordinate and research a series of exciting public engagement events that aim to bridge the gap between neuroscientific research and public understanding, fostering meaningful dialogue in a welcoming environment. This position is a 20% time appointment corresponding to an average of about 8 hours per week. We expect the distribution of this time will vary with some weeks requiring fewer hours and other weeks such as those surrounding the engagement events or during report writing requiring more. The Graduate Student Researcher will work closely with Kavi Center Executive Director, Lea Witkowsky, and Kavli Center Faculty Affiliate and project co-PI, Narayan Sankaran.
By joining this project, the Graduate Student Researcher will also have access to participate in core programs of the Kavli Center if desired, including interacting with the Ethics, Science, and the Public Fellows and access to special seminars.
Responsibilities:
- Conduct relevant background research or literature reviews on relevant topics or questions in these fields as needed to support the charge of the research project.
- Contribute ideas and content for the goals of the project.
- Assist in recruiting neuroscientists from local universities and research institutions to participate in community engagement events.
- Provide logistics and communications support for engagement activities and the project as a whole.
- This will include note-taking, scheduling, invitations to special guests, and execution of follow-up steps from engagement events.
- Additional event coordination support may include venue selection, public recruitment, event promotion, and day-of event management.
- Contribute to post-event analysis and reporting:
- Code conversations resulting from engagement events for further qualitative and quantitative analyses, including thematic analysis.
- Contribute to co-authoring reports and/or publications.
Required Qualifications:
- Must be an enrolled Graduate Student at UC Berkeley
- Outstanding oral and written communication skills, particularly in regard to communications across multiple disciplines
- Excellent reading comprehension skills and the ability to translate academic language into everyday language
- A strong interest in neuroscience and its societal implications, science communication, and public engagement
- Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team
- Ability to work independently and to foresee, identify, and recommend solutions in the position’s areas of responsibility
- Strong attention to detail
- Excellent organizational and time management skills
- Comfort with creativity, innovation, and hard work
- Professionalism, courtesy, punctuality, and good humor
Preferred Qualifications
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Experience in science outreach, public engagement activities, event planning or project management is a plus
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Expertise and research or work experience in fields related to stakeholder engagement, social sciences, or the study of responsible or community-engaged research.
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At least two years of non-academic work or research experience in a relevant field is preferred
Inquiries
Please direct inquires about this position to lwitkowsky@berkeley.edu
