Current Openings

Fall 2019 SSP Available Positions:

1.  "SSP Intergenerational Jewish Relationships Research Assistant" (25 hour position) with Ruth Nemzoff, WSRC Resident Scholar

 Student and I will co-write monthly columns for the American Israelite which reflect our ongoing examination of Jewish communal issues and familial relationships.. We will research and create presentations for upcoming conferences I am attending, including the USCJ Annual Conference and the Young President Organization/gold. Together, they will analyze and write about contemporary Jewish issues, focusing on gender and the family. This project involves ongoing research and writing as well as presenting of past research. Student has the opportunity to present alongside Scholar at conferences in the Boston area, as well as the opportunity to publish under their name as well. Student will work with me on researching and writing articles, as well as contributing their technical skills to creating presentations and sharing ideas on social media.

Qualifications:   Coursework: n/a;  Technical Skills: Student should be familiar with social media and the internet, be an excellent writer and editor, and a swift typist. Past Experience: Knowledge of the Jewish community is a plus. Editorial experience is also taken into account. Other: Student should have the ability to communicate their needs and self-advocate. Student should possess strong time-management skills and be able to give and take advice/opinions in a collaborative manner.

 

2. "SSP Labor Gender Equity Research Assistant" with Susan Eisenberg, WSRC Resident Scholar (50 hour position)

On Equal Terms Project Director Susan Eisenberg has been documenting, analyzing, and framing gender equity issues in the workplace, with a focus on the construction industry, for more than four decades. The Project is looking for a Student-Scholar Partner with an interest in how power imbalances are maintained, and strong skills in digital media or transcription to join this semester’s work.  Our approach combines solid research with the Arts to impact Public Policy.

Tasks include adding content to an interactive online exhibition (https://onequalter.ms) and an interview-based book project about women who work as high voltage lineworkers.   The Student partner will contribute to projects aimed at making an impact on public policy discussions. Every technical decision and choice of punctuation keeps audience in mind. Some tasks will depend on what skills the student brings, but some tasks will be routine and others creative. Responsibilities could include: updating events on personal website (http://susaneisenberg.com); transcribing hour plus interviews with women lineworkers and logging issues; editing audio or assisting in preparation of materials for presentations.

Qualifications: Coursework: Not necessary but might be helpful: Women’s and Gender Studies courses, or students in graphic/fine arts or digital media studies with an interest in social justice.; Technical Skills: Doesn't’t need to be all of these, but should be some at a high level: Website skills; transcription of hour-long interviews; facility in use of Media Lab -- able to record/edit audio; able to hear the shape of a story; able to analyze photographs.; Past Experience: Some depth of awareness about discrimination.; Other: Mainly, seeking someone who is reliable, detail-oriented, and flexible.

 

  1. "SSP Music Transcription Research Assistant" with Amelia LeClaire, WSRC Resident Scholar (50 hour position)

Scholar is seeking a Student to assist in the final steps in the creation of a performance edition in Sibelius of Ethel Smyth’s Mass in D, one of the great larger works by a great woman for chorus, soloists, and orchestra. This piece was only last spring made available in full score, after over 100 years. The Scholar received permission to create an edition from the original manuscript. Once a performing edition is created, parts can be extracted and the work can be performed as frequently as it should be. Student will help decipher and transcribe into Sibelius the handwriting and notation of the score, and help to correct all parts. Editing credits available.

Qualifications:  Coursework: Music, score reading, orchestral score reading; Technical Skills: Knowledge of Sibelius or Finale software; Past Experience: preference for score reading and musical background; Other: understanding of the importance of this work in light of women as viable and credible composers in history        

 

  1. "SSP Sex Education Survey Research Assistant" with Phoebe Schnitzer, WSRC Resident Scholar (50 hour position)

"Sex Education is a Feminist Issue: Student Survey Reveals Gender  Differences": In a current survey, undergraduates at UMass Lowell shared their experiences with pre-college sex education and  their recommendations for future sex ed curricula. Data revealed compelling gender differences, conveying young women's notable dissatisfaction. Their  comments led to consideration of the proposals of feminist writers on sex education, as a context for understanding these critiques and proposing changes for future programs.  

The student will: assist in completing the analysis and write-up of the research project; focus generally on  feminists perspectives on sex education, and on certain specific issues that need attention. For example, the experiences of self-identified non-binary students will be an important aspect of our research discussion. The student will assist in this area by reviewing the survey responses of this subgroup and exploring relevant background material.

Qualifications:  Coursework: Gender studies; Psychology or Sociology course work; Social Science research, especially qualitative research.; Technical Skills:Experience with qualitative and narrative data; Excel experience.; Past Experience: Any research assistant experience: Other: Reliability  and enthusiasm - I have been  fortunate to benefit from wonderful students, strong on these qualities, as well as on creativity!

 

  1. "SSP Renowned Woman Scientist Research Assistant" with Pnina Abir-Am, WSRC Resident Scholar (50 hour position)

"A Small Scientific Commune: The Legacy of C2, Brandeis’ First Woman Professor of Biology, 1929-2017":  This project seeks to contribute to a biography of internationally renowned Carolyn Cohen (C2), 1929-2017, Brandeis' first woman professor of biology and a pioneer in science and in gender equality for women scientists. This project will examine C2’s personal papers (correspondence, manuscripts) at Brandeis University Archives & Special Collections, as well as interview C2's colleagues and mentees at and beyond Brandeis. The project capitalizes on C2's Personal Papers at Brandeis University Archives which the Scholar helped organize for conservation so as to conduct archival research and oral history with C2's colleagues and mentees at and beyond Brandeis. The plan is that the Student will serve as co-author of an essay for journals in the history of science & WGS.  The student will interview senior and junior scientists together with the Scholar, transcribe the interviews, and extract analytical themes and pertinent data (such as scientific concepts, collaborators, and institutions which shaped C2's career or were shaped by her) The student will also participate in archival work by processing correspondence. The student will present interim progress with the Scholar at WSRC, elsewhere on campus, or at conferences in Greater Boston. 

Qualifications: Coursework: Structural Biology &/or Biochemistry &/or Molecular Biology; Intro to WGS;  Technical Skills:Excellent writing skills;; proficiency with Microsoft applications, advanced web search; Past Experience: Archival research; oral history interviewing with scientists; transcription.; Other: Ability to analyze interviews for content and theme; excellent editorial skills.

 

Application Information

The Student-Scholar Partnership is an exciting, paid mentoring opportunity for Brandeis undergraduate students offering educational and real-world experience. Students are hired for up to 50 hours of meaningful work over the course of a semester and are paid $12 an hour.

To apply, please search for SSP Listings through Workday. 

Job ID #s are listed next to the title. If chosen to interview, you may need to submit a writing sample directly to Kristen Mullin in Epstein at the WSRC. The writing sample can be any length or topic (relevant to project is better). It needs to show you can take a thought, put it in on paper and then discuss it clearly and intelligently. Many students have used past graded papers before.

Tips from Past SSPs