Postdoctoral Fellow in Technology Policy and Rehabilitation Research (Multiple Positions)

Atlanta, GA

The Georgia Institute of Technology's Center for Advanced Communications Policy (CACP) welcomes applications for its : Inclusive Technology and Policy Design Fellowships, funded by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR). The appointment will be from January 1, 2023 - December 31, 2024.

The Advanced Rehabilitation Research Training: Inclusive Technology and Policy Design Research Fellowships (ARRT) Project, was implemented under funding from NIDILRR's priority for the ARRT Policy Research Fellowship program. During the five-year duration of this project, project staff will train four (4) postdoctoral fellows in the area of advanced disability and accessible technology policy, responsive to NIDILRR's domains of community participation and employment with a cross-cutting focus on technology for access and with specializations in information and communications technology (ICT) policy, as it pertains to issues of accessibility and usability for individuals with disabilities.

The Center for Advanced Communications Policy (CACP)'s ARRT program builds on the experience of the Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center on Wireless Inclusive Technologies (Wireless RERC) to provide a basis for training and research activities. CACP and the Wireless RERC work with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), National Technology and Information Administration (NTIA), National Council on Disability (NCD), and U.S. Access Board, among other institutions to address the priority's requirement for a one-year residency in Washington, DC for Congressional, Federal Agency, or relevant non-governmental organizational policy experience. The program is also supported by other NIDILRR funded projects at Georgia Tech related to technology and disability, including the Field Initiated Project on the Contingent Employment of Individuals with Disabilities (FIP-CE), which also engages policymaking as it pertains to technologically based employment of individuals with disabilities as part of the so-called "gig economy."

The successful ARRT Fellow will:

• assist with and, eventually, co-teach a graduate-level seminar (PUBP 8803/4813: Policy Innovation for Inclusion), typically offered during the Spring semester,
• participate in didactic training and mentorship on policy research (3-5 hours/week)
• develop and undertake an independent research project that is responsive to NIDILRR's and priorities, leading to substantial publications or comparable outputs (8-16 hours/week)
• contribute to other NIDILRR-funded research projects at Georgia Tech (10-12 hours/week)

In Year 2, the ARRT Fellow, based on their research projects, interests, and availability of appropriate opportunities, may spend a one-semester residency with a federal agency, or appropriate policy-making organization in Washington D.C.

PhD or equivalent terminal degree in a relevant field: rehabilitation engineering, related science or engineering discipline; OR public policy, or related social sciences with research focus on disability, assistive technology, or rehabilitation science.

1. Experience in qualitative, quantitative, or mixed-methods research with ability to demonstrate related tool skills.
2. Ability to work independently and collaboratively, with a demonstrated ability to manage projects and work in teams.
3. Experience or interest in public policy or regulatory issues related to mainstream and assistive technologies and stakeholders with disabilities.
4. Ability to relocate to the Georgia Tech campus in Atlanta, Georgia, is highly preferred

$50,000 per year, plus benefits

To apply, submit the following:

1. Cover letter (maximum 750 words) explaining your interest in the position and how you meet the qualifications listed above.
2. Current CV.
3. One paper, published or unpublished, that best represents your work.
4. Name & email for three (3) academic references (to be contacted for short-listed candidates).

Applications will be reviewed starting on November 1, 2022, with a prospective start date of January 1, 2023. While applications will be considered until position is filled, applications received by November 1, 2022 will be given priority.

The Principal Investigators and Advisors are:

Nathan W. Moon, Ph.D. (nathan.moon@gatech.edu), is the PI for the ARRT program, and a social scientist whose work focuses on workplace accommodations and the employment of people with disabilities, broadening participation in postsecondary education, and the accessibility and usability of mainstream and assistive technologies.

Paul M.A. Baker, Ph.D. (paul.baker@gatech.edu), is Chief Operations Officer, Center for the Development and Application of IoT Technologies (CDAIT), and Principal Research Scientist and Senior Director, Research and Strategic Innovation, at Georgia Tech's Center for Advanced Communications Policy (CACP). He work focuses on innovation networks in technology development and workforce development, policy approaches for advancing technology and universal accessibility goals for persons with disabilities; inclusive telework; social media innovation, and the functioning of online collaboration and virtual communities.

John Bricout, Ph.D. (jbricout@umn.edu), is a Professor and Director of Research in the University of Minnesota School of Social Work. He also serves as co-director of the interdisciplinary Workforce Development and Research Lab in the UMN College of Education and Human Development. His work includes application of social technologies to enhance engagement of people with disabilities, disability and employment, technology and social work ethics, rehabilitation science, and workforce development.

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