Overview:

The Program in Law & Public Policy (P*LAW) in the School of Public and International Affairs (SPIA) at Princeton University seeks to hire a Senior Research Specialist to lead investigative research and reporting into parties and of past Supreme Court cases of historic and contemporary significance.

The position is in support of a pilot P*LAW Project in Legal Journalism, supported by a competitive grant from the Princeton University’s Dean for Research Innovation Funds (New Ideas in the Humanities) to bring a distinguished visiting journalist to the Princeton to engage with leading legal academics and pursue interlocking goals: (1) support and foster innovative methods of legal journalism through original investigative research, demonstrating the checking function of the press on the work of the courts; (2) inform public and scholarly understanding of contemporary legal developments through new insights into the factual and historical basis of disputes; and (3) improve research methods through the study of comparative best practices of leading thinkers in law, journalism, and history. In addition to supporting investigative research and associated public events, the project aims to develop a website blending

newly reported oral histories on Supreme Court cases and uncovered documents with case materials, civics instruction, and cutting-edge, expert commentary.

The position is entirely remote and currently limited to a one-year engagement, with opportunities for renewal conditioned on available funding.

Responsibilities:

Responsibilities:

In collaboration with the Director and staff of the SPIA Program in Law and Public Policy:

• Help identify historic Supreme Court cases with significant relevance to current legal developments, and conduct original journalistic research shedding new light on case

development;

• Participate in developing 2 public events per academic year featuring interviews with key actors related to those cases;

• Draft written content for use on online and other platforms summarizing/describing investigative findings;

• Collect and help maintain audiovisual, documentary, and archival records from investigations for

public dissemination.

Qualifications:

Essential Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent;

• Five+ years experience in investigative journalism;

• Exceptional investigative research, documentary and writing skills;

• Capacity to work independently.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Interest/background in Supreme Court reporting;

• Familiarity with historical and/or archival research methods;

• Interest in contemporary questions of constitutional law and the judicial role.

We at the School of Public and International Affairs believe that it is vital to cultivate an environment that embraces and promotes diversity, equity and inclusion - fundamental to the success of our education and research mission. This commitment to diversity informs our efforts in recruitment and hiring as we actively seek colleagues of exceptional ability who represent a broad range of viewpoints, experiences and value systems, and who share Princeton University's dedication to excellence.

Princeton University is an and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Standard Weekly Hours:

36.25

Eligible for Overtime:

No

Benefits Eligible:

Yes

Probationary Period:

180 days

Essential Services Personnel (see policy for detail):

No

Physical Capacity Exam Required:

No

Valid Driver’s License Required:

No

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