Research Project Manager, Data Privacy Lab

Responsibilities

Data Privacy Research Management (40%)

• The RPM will coordinate research activities and lead study partner relations for multiple projects that involve the development and deployment of PETs in data-intensive LMIC settings. Specific responsibilities include:
  • Utilize exceptional project management, strategic thinking and communications skills to manage key, often high-stakes relationships. Includes building and stewarding relationships with study partners, supporting the negotiation of partnership agreements/MOUs, and serving as a bridge between partners, researchers, and the CEGA’s broader network.
  • Oversee general project management of Data Privacy Lab including coordinating contributions from multiple research staff members on several projects simultaneously, in close collaboration with supervisor. Organize and develop agendas for weekly research team meetings, proactively share updates, support recruiting and onboarding of new staff in partnership with CEGA’s HR Associate, and (potentially in the future) provide mentorship to support their professional growth and development.
  • Identify, scope, and leverage opportunities for project expansion (e.g. new modalities or side-studies) through strategic collaboration and fundraising.
  • Support the drafting of proposals, reports, documents, analyses, and presentations for fundraising, donor reporting, and dissemination activities.
  • Collaborate with research team, partners, and CEGA’s communications team to translate our research into blogs, policy briefs, website content, and audiovisual outputs.
  • Contribute to the writing/editing of papers for scientific publication in leading computer science and mathematics venues.

Data Privacy Lab / Programmatic Administration (40%)

• Lead financial management and pre/post award support for the Lab including developing budgets, managing grant and other funding, (technical and financial) reporting and renewals, smooth navigation of UC Berkeley systems (contracts, payments), and facilitation of project fundraising (e.g. proposal development and submission), in collaboration with CEGA’s Operations team.
• Manage subawards/other agreements, including: compiling required documentation, drafting scopes of work, monitoring sub-awards to field partners, managing payments/invoicing, and ensuring adherence to regulations/processes, human subjects protocols, and reporting requirements.
• Provide critical operational support to the Lab including contracting with partners and vendors, managing events, scheduling, and reporting.
• Manage all event planning for the Lab, including logistics and budgeting, calls for nominations/papers, outreach, and reimbursements, with support from CEGA’s Communications and Events team.

New Initiative Development (15%)

• Contribute to the development of new initiatives at CEGA related to data privacy and other intersectional topics by stewarding relationships with faculty, policymakers, and donors; identifying fundraising and partnership opportunities; contributing to concept note and proposal development; organizing panels and networking events; and supporting research coordination efforts across key projects.
• Coordinate with relevant CEGA staff and research teams to facilitate cross-project learning and exploit synergies across the portfolio.

Center-wide Activities (10%)

• Work with colleagues to update and promote the adoption of privacy-preserving and ethical practices and standards to guide development research, especially in fragile contexts.
• Actively participate in Center-wide activities, including weekly staff meetings, annual staff retreat, maintenance of standard operating procedures and process documentation, staff recruitment and onboarding, internal working groups, performance management, and other duties as assigned.

Skillset

• Bachelor’s degree with coursework in quantitative research methods.
• Professional experience and/or coursework in quantitative research methods, including mathematics, statistics, econometrics, or engineering.
• Experience working with research and engineering teams using state-of-the-art technologies.
• Experience with at least one programming language (e.g., Python, Java), database language (e.g., SQL), and at least one PET (e.g., differential privacy, homomorphic encryption, secure multiparty computation, private set intersection, zero knowledge proofs).