Postdoctoral Scholar - Data Services for Indigenous Scholarship and Sovereignty
Position Overview
Organization: Information School
Title: Postdoctoral Scholar - Data Services for Indigenous Scholarship and Sovereignty
Position Details
Position Description
The University of Washington Information School invites applications for a Postdoctoral Scholar position with the Data Services for Indigenous Scholarship and Sovereignty (DSISS) initiative. DSISS is supporting responsible stewardship of Indigenous research data in libraries and repositories. The DSISS team of information science researchers, Indigenous scholars, and data repository professionals works collaboratively to develop guidance for application of the CARE Principles for Indigenous Data Governance in research data services (RDS).
Launched in 2021 with funding from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, DSISS is starting a new phase of translational work to advance practical and technical solutions for integrating CARE into professional practice and infrastructure, with a focus on enriched metadata and documentation, controls for sensitive data, and building trust between institutions and Indigenous communities. The post doctoral scholar will join the team in developing a collaborative curation approach that centers Indigenous research methods and data sovereignty and a repository testbed grounded in the values and priorities of scholars of Indigenous culture and language and Indigenous communities. They will also contribute to a new line of inquiry exploring how CARE can be applied to enhance stewardship of established Indigenous digital collections in libraries and archives.
The position is a 12-month appointment, with the possibility for renewal, and an anticipated start date of September 15, 2025. The post doctoral scholar will be affiliated with the Center for Advances in Libraries, Museums, and Archives (CALMA) at the UW Information School. We seek applicants who bring a research agenda aligned with DSISS and are interested in pursuing their own line of research in tandem with collaborative DSISS research and engagement.
Postdoctoral Scholars are represented by UAW 4121 and are subject to the collective bargaining agreement, unless agreed exclusion criteria apply. For more information, please visit the University of Washington Labor Relations website.
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications
● PhD awarded by the start date in a relevant field, such as library and information science, information studies, Indigenous studies, science and technology studies, or related disciplines
● Strong qualitative research skills, including experience with case studies and content analysis
● Ability to work in a highly collaborative, interdisciplinary, and engaged research environment with diverse team members and partners
● Excellent communication skills
● Scholarly publication record commensurate with PhD field norms
● Understanding of Indigenous data sovereignty
● Understanding of professional data stewardship in libraries, archives, and/or repositories
Preferred Qualifications
● Experience working or engaging with Indigenous communities
● Experience in research data services, data curation, data archiving
● Academic or professional background in one or more related areas, including data ethics, indigenous research methods, indigenous data sovereignty, metadata for research data, research cyberinfrastructure
Instructions
Application Materials
1. A cover letter describing your interest in this position
2. Statement of interest in the position and relevant academic background, and experience
3. Current curriculum vitae
4. A brief research statement outlining your research achievements and goals
5. Two writing samples that demonstrate current scholarship and expertise
6. Contact information for three references
Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Interested candidates can contact Carole Palmer (clpalmer@uw.edu) or Sandy Littletree (sandy505@uw.edu) with questions.
You can read more about DSISS at https://sites.uw.edu/dsissresearch/.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, gender identity or expression, age, disability, or protected veteran status.
Benefits Information
A summary of benefits associated with this title/rank can be found at https://hr.uw.edu/benefits/benefits-orientation/benefit-summary-pdfs/. Appointees solely employed and paid directly by a non-UW entity are not UW employees and are not eligible for UW or Washington State employee benefits.
Commitment to Diversity
The University of Washington is committed to building diversity among its faculty, librarian, staff, and student communities, and articulates that commitment in the UW Diversity Blueprint (http://www.washington.edu/diversity/diversity-blueprint/). Additionally, the University’s Faculty Code recognizes faculty efforts in research, teaching and/or service that address diversity and equal opportunity as important contributions to a faculty member’s academic profile and responsibilities (https://www.washington.edu/admin/rules/policies/FCG/FCCH24.html#2432).
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Disability Services
To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 or dso@uw.edu.