Role Summary:
The term of appointment will be up to 12 months subject to renewal to 30 months, starting approximately August 1, 2024, for work on an externally sponsored research grant.
We seek an experienced and highly motivated Postdoctoral Research Fellow to work in a unique and new research project funded until 2027 by the Qatar Research Development and Innovation Council (QRDI) - Qatar National Research Fund (QNRF) titled Pearling social networks in the GCC: comprehensive sociograms and content analyses across social media platforms" led by the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies (DI) represented by Charles Harb (Lead Principal Investigator). In this project, the research team will be comprehensively mapping the online socio-political networks of the GCC. In doing so, we will be producing a large repository of data on such networks, and conducting novel analyses that will help shed light on the structure of such networks, information flows within these networks, and the dynamics of network change. The successful applicant will be based at the DI. The project will operate within the Research & Grants Department.
A Ph.D. in hand is required before joining the project, but we will consider advanced ABDs during the application process. Candidates should have proven working knowledge and experience of the literature on social network analysis and information technology, advanced network analysis skills, broad training in advanced quantitative methods and the demonstrated ability to write high-quality research papers. The ideal candidate will have demonstrated expertise in conducting dynamic network analyses, Python and/or R programming skills, and experience working with large datasets drawn from online social networks. Most importantly, the candidate should have a solid foundation in quantitative social sciences and the flexibility and willingness to learn new techniques.
Key Responsibilities:
• Extract data for analysis by the research team
• Assist in managing the project and research team (including RA training)
• Contribute to data management and classification
• Analyze and interpret data generated by the project
• Carry out other forms of data collection and analysis as required by the needs of the project
• Help in preparing progress reports for the funding agency
• Coordinate regular meetings
• Prepare research manuscripts, reports, and presentations as required
• Write supporting documents to contribute to and support the work of the project team.
• Other tasks as directed by the Principal Investigators
EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
A Ph.D. in a social sciences field with strong training in quantitative methods, computer science or statistics
WORK EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:
Some work experience related to the field of research is preferred.
REQUIRED SKILLS:
Fluency in English and a working knowledge of Arabic
Programming languages (Python, R, and preferably one of: Rust, Java, C/C++) and network construction and analysis packages
Experience working with large datasets drawn from social networking sites
Expertise in social network analysis, including the analysis of dynamic models. In particular, knowledge of edge-oriented (e.g., TERGM/STERGM) and/or node-oriented (e.g., SAOM) dynamic models is required
Graph theory fundamentals including centrality, community detection, clustering, and network flow analysis
Training in or the willingness to learn applied AI/ML/Data science expertise: training/finetuning and using existing models
Data and network visualizations and manipulation techniques
Data acquisition and management skills (and knowledge of or the willingness to learn SQL/NoSQL databases)
Some familiarity with natural language processing and Arabic NLP tools
