Research Assistant - School of Computer Science - HCII

Carnegie Mellon University is a private, global research university that stands among the world’s most renowned education institutions. With ground-breaking brain science, path-breaking performances, creative start-ups, big data, big ambitions, hands-on learning, and a whole lot of robots, CMU doesn’t imagine the future, we invent it. If you’re passionate about joining a community that challenges the curious to deliver work that matters, your journey starts here!

The Human-Computer Interaction Institute (HCII) is a living laboratory where we investigate the relationship between computer technology, human activity, and society. Founded in 1993, the HCII is a place where we work to understand and create technology that harmonizes with and improves human capabilities, goals, and social environments through interdisciplinary research and education in design, computer science, and behavioral and social sciences. We research how people work, play, and communicate within groups, organizations, and social structures, then we design, create, and evaluate technologies and tools to support human and social activities.

HCII is seeking a Research Assistant to join a research project documenting and analyzing workplace surveillance. You will conduct systematic media analysis of reporting on workplace monitoring, develop rigorous case files that combine primary reporting with ongoing secondary research on monitoring vendors and contracting firms, review and develop worker-submitted cases, and maintain an online tracker that records and updates these cases.

Core Responsibilities:

• Conduct systematic media searches and content analysis of news articles, reports, and public filings about workplace surveillance incidents and policies.
• Build rigorous case dossiers for each incident: timeline, actors (employers, vendors), technologies used, legal/regulatory context, and key documents.
• Perform secondary research on workplace-monitoring vendors (product features, marketing claims, case studies) and the firms that purchase or deploy their platforms.
• Review and flesh out incoming cases self-reported by workers, verifying details where possible, conducting follow-up research, and preparing anonymized case summaries suitable for inclusion in the tracker.
• Regularly update an online tracker with new cases and changes to existing cases, ensuring entries are consistently formatted and sourced.
• Create concise case summaries and metadata for publication on the tracker and for team use.
• Support the project lead with literature scans, citation management, and occasional data visualizations or slide-ready figures.

Adaptability, excellence, and passion are vital qualities within Carnegie Mellon University.  We are in search of a team member who can effectively interact with a varied population of internal and external partners at a high level of integrity. We are looking for someone who shares our values and who will support the mission of the university through their work.

Qualifications:

• Current or recently graduated undergraduate student (any discipline; sociology, media studies, information studies, political science, public policy, computer science, or related fields preferred).
• Excellent reading comprehension and ability to synthesize media reports into clear, concise summaries.
• Strong attention to detail and experience organizing structured datasets (spreadsheets, Airtable, or similar).
• Familiarity with online research methods (advanced search techniques, news databases) and source-evaluation skills.
• Comfort handling sensitive information with discretion and professionalism.
• Reliable time management and ability to work independently in a remote setting.
• A combination of education and proven experience from which comparable knowledge is demonstrated may be considered.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with systematic content analysis or qualitative coding.
• Familiarity with workplace surveillance topics, employee-monitoring platforms, or privacy/ethics debates.
• Basic data-cleaning or scripting skills and comfort producing simple data visualizations.
• Experience publishing or maintaining web-based trackers or databases.

To Apply:

Please apply with PDFs of the following:

• CV
• One short writing sample (500-800 words) summarizing a single news report or workplace monitoring case

Joining the CMU team opens the door to an array of exceptional benefits.

Benefits eligible employees enjoy a wide array of benefits including comprehensive medical, prescription, dental, and vision insurance as well as a generous retirement savings program with employer contributions. Unlock your potential with tuition benefits, take well-deserved breaks with ample paid time off and observed holidays, and rest easy with life and accidental death and disability insurance. 

Additional perks include a free Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus pass, access to our Family Concierge Team to help navigate childcare needs, fitness center access, and much more!

For a comprehensive overview of the benefits available, explore our Benefits page.

At Carnegie Mellon, we value the whole package when extending offers of employment. Beyond credentials, we evaluate the role and responsibilities, your valuable work experience, and the knowledge gained through education and training. We appreciate your unique skills and the perspective you bring. Your journey with us is about more than just a job; it’s about finding the perfect fit for your professional growth and personal aspirations.

Are you interested in an exciting opportunity with an exceptional organization?! Apply today!

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