Research Assistant, Brazil Jobs

Job Details

Level

Experienced

Job Location

Remote - Washington, DC

Job Category

Digital Forensic Research Lab

Description

Overview

The DFRLab is expanding its work in Latin America and is seeking to hire an open source researcher specializing on Brazil. This position will play an essential role in growing the DFRLab’s capacity within Brazil, building on its established presence in the broader region and ongoing work documenting disinformation and other elements of the regional information environment, and providing training for local partners. The researcher will use their open-source research experience and Portuguese-language skills to identify disinformation campaigns and influence operations targeting the Brazilian information environment, as well as analyze the local impact of state-backed influence activities.

The researcher will conduct trainings on research methods and communications-oriented responses to disinformation, to foster digital resilience throughout the region The researcher will also build and manage a network of local and regional partners. They will work with the DFRLab’s regional and global research teams and Atlantic Council experts, and will partner with local partners to achieve project goals. In order to responsibly cover harmful narratives targeting women and vulnerable populations, and work to build the capacity of these groups, the DFRLab will ensure that women are included as critical stakeholders throughout our work in the region. We commit to gender parity on the project team and in the trainings we offer in the region, and we will prioritize partnerships with local experts focused on the disinformation that targets these groups.

We are hiring for an immediate start. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until an offer has been accepted. The DFRLab is deeply committed to diversity. We strongly encourage applications from candidates of any gender, racial, and/or ethnic identity, parents, people with disabilities, veterans, and people of various educational backgrounds. The recruitment process will entail multiple conversations with DFRLab staff. The first interview will be with members of the DFRLab team who have relevant substantive expertise, while the second will be with staff who will manage or partner with the preferred candidate. Candidates who advance to the final stage should expect to complete a writing exercise in English and Portuguese.

Responsibilities

• Identify additional research avenues; and assist broader reporting, as needed.
• Adapt curricula for and conduct local trainings on open-source investigative techniques and narrative responses to disinformation for local partners.
• Conduct briefings for government, news outlets, and civil society on research outcomes.
• Build and manage a community committed to better understanding the role of online disinformation in Brazil and the broader Latin America region.
• Gather and analyze relevant open source data.
• Deliver trainings related to strategic communications and communication campaigning.
• Act as a liaison for local media, civil society organizations, public institutions, and research partners.
• Conduct ongoing open-source investigative research into the information environment and evolving disinformation trends in Brazil and the broader Latin America region.

Qualifications

• Public-speaking competencies, and experience running trainings.
• Experience with strategic communications is a strong advantage.
• Proven interest in the overlap between international relations, human rights, communications, technology trends, social media, and online information environments.
• Excellent research skills.
• Knowledge of the regional political landscape, especially as it relates to disinformation.
• General familiarity with data analysis tools.
• Fluency, including excellent writing skills, in English and Portuguese.
• Able to work independently on project outputs.
• Advanced reading, writing, and listening skills in Spanish are highly desirable.
• Experience and passion for open-source research methodologies.
• Professional experience interacting with civil society groups and/or government officials.