Reporting to the Lead Data Scientist, the Research Scientist is responsible for designing, implementing, and overseeing data collection systems and collecting, analyzing, and interpreting large datasets utilizing a variety of methodologies to understand audience cultural consumption and narratives about important issues in media. The Research Scientist will also contribute to the preparation of reports, presentations, and other deliverables to communicate research methodologies and findings to internal and external stakeholders.
Conduct data exploration, analysis, and visualization to understand audience cultural consumption and narratives about important issues in media . -Design, execute, and analyze randomized controlled trials to test media effects . -Retrieve, combine, and analyze media consumption and content data, raw survey data, social graph data, and text data from diverse sources using a variety of advanced techniques . -Analyze survey data using advanced techniques including weighting, factor analysis, clustering, generalized linear models, and others -Analyze social graph data using techniques including community detection, neighborhood analysis, and others . -Analyze text data using techniques including embedding, API-based large language models, custom neural network pipelines, unsupervised and semi-supervised clustering, and profiling results . -Execute these tasks on a timely basis while also seeking and implementing opportunities to improve Harmony Labs’ existing research methodologies and processes
Design, create, and oversee primary data collection processes and systems employing survey, annotation, experiments and trials, and other sources . -Collaborate with cross-functional teams to design, create, implement, troubleshoot, and improve research products, tools, and systems . -Collect, define, and document the definitions of system components and requirements for quality and completeness for data collection . -Review data collection systems for quality and implement updates based on requirements and definitions of quality and design to increase efficiency and consistency . -Oversee and manage both human and technological components of primary data collection, including managing contractors and using APIs for external data acquisition
Collaborate with engineering in creating analytical products, including by converting manual research processes into research software pipelines. . -Responsible for creating and providing requirements for software systems . -Design and perform tests of software systems that identify gaps . -Identify and drive the resolution of gaps in product performance and documentation, risks to data collection quality, and opportunities for process improvement
Work with project teams to plan, execute, and deliver research insights, including through surveys and content testing . -Collaborate with project teams to define data collection methods, analytics and sampling techniques and requirements to ensure the validity and reliability of survey results; and translate those into systems of targets and quotas relying on data from Census and other sources . -Regularly monitor and maintain testing tools, platforms, and data collection processes to identify and address any issues or discrepancies in real-time, and communicate issues and changes in time and cost . -Plan for and implement the use of outside resources including consultants and annotators, as needed, to aid in data collection and identify patterns, trends, and relationships in media consumption behavior
Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to integrate findings from multiple research areas and contribute to cross-functional projects . -Synthesize findings and methods into written descriptions, data visualizations, and dashboards to effectively communicate with both technical and non-technical stakeholders . -Ensure complex research findings are accurately communicated in a way that excites stakeholders and welcomes discussion and questions . -Contribute to the creation of reports, presentations, and other deliverables . -Explore innovative new ways to convey information, including through written descriptions, data visualizations, and interactive tools . -Review and respond to others work to ensure the accuracy of the findings and alignment with the goals of the project
And other duties and responsibilities as needed and as assigned.
Please submit a resume and cover letter, clearly describing your interest and experience to jobs@harmonylabs.org. Due to the number of emails we receive, we regret that we are unable to respond to each one.
Broad perspectives and diverse experiences are key to serving society, and innovating in a way that responds to our complex, interdependent global context. While Harmony Labs employs only United States citizens and those non-U.S. citizens authorized to work in the United States, in compliance with national regulations, we strongly encourage people from backgrounds currently underrepresented in tech, research, media, and data science to apply. Harmony Labs is an equal opportunity employer. We value and welcome diversity in the workplace and strongly encourage all qualified persons to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.
We are a media research lab, using science, data, and creativity to research and reshape our relationship with media. For more than a decade, Harmony Labs has helped storytellers and strategists, decision makers and dreamers, harness the immense power of media to shape a positive, pluralistic future. With the Narrative Observatory, for the first time ever, we're harnessing powerful industry relationships to deliver one-of-a-kind data infrastructure that empowers partners to find, reach, and resonate with the right audience in today's media minefield. The Narrative Observatory delivers audience-based insights, narrative and network analysis, and empirical validation of cultural strategy and content---all derived from the actual behavior of real people and true audiences, not survey results, demographic groups, or inauthentic online activity.
We work with a wide range of partners on issues of existential importance, like climate, gun violence, political corruption, artificial intelligence, and more, using an approach to research that is rigorous, participatory, and public. One of the first papers we co-authored looked at fracking narratives in documentary film. The outputs we've created with our partners include websites, presentations, peer-reviewed publications, toolkits, curriculum, interactives, white papers, and media. And our work has been covered in the press, like in this recent New York Times article.
Founded by John S. Johnson in 2008, Harmony Labs is a 501(c)3 incorporated in New York State. Funders include Atlantic Foundation, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, Open Society Foundations, Nathan Cummings Foundation, Google, and more.