Research Fellow

Research Fellow

Location: Flexible

Type: Full-time, 1 or 2 year appointment 

About SFE

Siegel Family Endowment (SFE) is a foundation focused on understanding and shaping the impact of technology on society.  SFE supports organizations whose work contributes to giving everyone the opportunity to learn and contribute to a rapidly changing society. We were founded in 2011 by David M. Siegel, Co-Founder and Co-Chairman of Two Sigma, a financial sciences company. We primarily focus on three interest areas: Learning, Workforce, and Infrastructure. Our grantmaking philosophy and process differs from many more traditional foundations -- we encourage you to read through the “Our Approach” on www.siegelendowment.org/​ to understand more about how we work with potential grantees.

In 2022, SFE is building a research team that aims to develop knowledge in our issue areas and to support our grantmaking efforts. Research will be conducted by SFE staff and research fellows as well as by grantee partners. You can read more about our approach at “Research at Siegel Family Endowment: Research & Philanthropy” and “Research at Siegel Family Endowment: Our Approach.”

Position Summary 

Reporting to the Senior Vice President and Head of Research, the Research Fellow will conduct original research in a relevant field and work to disseminate those findings via thought leadership activities, such as through professional meetings, public presentations, and via media outlets.

We anticipate that the fellows will work on projects of interest and relevance to SFE’s program areas, broadly defined. We are currently especially interested in fellows with a background at the intersection of social sciences and technology - our specific research interests include intelligence, innovation, information, design, decisions, and development – ; but we welcome additional suggestions for research agendas. We welcome applicants from traditional disciplines as well as hybrid or interdisciplinary programs. We anticipate that the research fellow will be able to apply their research and expertise in multiple fields of interest to SFE.

While academia is one audience for this work, we also anticipate that the fellows will also be effective communicators with other more general audiences, including policymakers, nonprofit and private sector leaders, and the media. 

We anticipate that the fellowship will be  either a one- or two-year appointment and most appropriate for early career (post-doc) researchers. 

As a SFE Research Fellow, you will play a critical role in building SFE’s reputation and partnerships. This role is an excellent opportunity to be part of a growing team and to gain exposure to a variety of research and nonprofit organizations.

Responsibilities

Knowledge Creation

• Undertake original research in one or more areas of interest to SFE
• Conduct literature reviews on relevant topics, and synthesize findings
• Work in partnership with colleagues to help develop research agendas related to SFE’s inquiry questions, as aligned with SFE’s inquiry-driven approach to grantmaking
• Provide thoughtful feedback based on research findings and field learning to contribute to shaping organizational strategy

Research Dissemination

• Prepare research reports, articles, presentations, and other publications that elevate SFE’s research or the findings from our grantees
  
• Plan and execute convenings with external partners
  
• Prepare research summaries for a variety of audiences
  
• Synthesize learnings from the research and collaborate with colleagues to uncover interesting opportunities at the intersection of our interest areas and topics for further exploration 
• Facilitate internal learning from research grantee relationships
• Other duties as assigned
  

Research Grant Support

• Working with the Grantmaking team, assist in evaluating potential research grantee projects, and help to source new opportunities
• Help evaluate and monitor research grantees
  

Qualifications

• Have or expect to soon complete a PhD level course of study conducting research in a relevant field (see above) 
• Intellectual curiosity and a willingness to explore adjacent fields of study
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to translate technical and complex research to more understandable forms
• Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills
• Strong organizational, project management, and problem-solving skills
• Additional experience in an organization that conducts or disseminates research is a plus.

Special Note:

• In your Cover Letter,  please let us know why you are interested in this role.