Graduate Fellowship in Social Data Science
The DDSS graduate fellowship supports our dual mission to lead innovation and technical rigor in quantitative social science and to promote interdisciplinary engagement.
We seek talented graduate students who can not only facilitate technical advancement through their expertise but also serve as ambassadors for DDSS within their departmental communities. Fellows will play a key role in shaping the social data science landscape at Princeton.
Fellowship Details
Graduate students working in computational or quantitative social science will receive:
- A $1,200 stipend (to support research expenses and conference travel).
- Experience providing one-to-one consultations with students, postdoctoral fellows, and faculty in the social sciences.
- The opportunity to shape a wider support network for social data science at Princeton.
Graduate Fellows will advise on computationally intensive, methodologically advanced, or technically innovative skills. Areas of expertise may include, but are not limited to: machine learning, record linkage, high-performance computing, network analysis, tool development, GIS expertise, and database development or storage of big data.
In addition to technical expertise, ideal candidates will demonstrate a strong interest in building and sustaining a multi-disciplinary research community, continuing their contributions even after the fellowship concludes. Please note that this position does not entail specific project support or research assistance; see “DDSS Consultant” for a more traditional RA role.
Responsibilities
Fellows should expect to dedicate one to three hours per week to fellowship activities. Fellows are expected to:
- Attend three DDSS Connect: Interdisciplinary Exchange meetings and two informal meetings.
- Present at one DDSS Connect: Interdisciplinary Exchange meeting.
- Respond to consultation requests relevant to their specific technical skillset.
- Attend main DDSS events (e.g., symposia, invited speaker events, and seminar series).
- Provide updates on research projects, identify common consultation themes, identify opportunities for advanced workshops, and propose innovative ideas to advance the DDSS mission.
- Help promote informal social events, discussion groups, or seminars.
- Contribute to public good creation, such as reference guides and materials for the DDSS GitHub repository.
Eligibility
Applicants must be enrolled graduate students in any department, provided they possess advanced technical skills applicable to social science. Students may reapply for renewal each term. Visiting students are not eligible to apply. Master's students are invited to apply, but priority will be given to PhD candidates.
Selection Criteria
While assessment primarily focuses on the technical expertise of each applicant, we also take into account the interdisciplinary balance/composition of the cohort and the level of prior engagement for returning fellows.
How to apply
Please use our online submission form to submit a CV and 1-2 page research statement that describes your research interests and details your areas of programming and methodological expertise. The deadline for Spring 2025 applications is January 6, 2025. Questions can be sent to [email protected] with subject line “Graduate Fellows Program.”