GAMBIT's parent department, Comparative Media Studies, has a couple of new job openings, so we're signal-boosting the details. Do note that each of the following positions have different application procedures, so read them carefully.

Open Source Contract Web Developer

The Education Arcade is looking for a contract web developer to design and build a site for an upcoming science game for middle school kids. The game will have kids across the country collaborating on mystery puzzles, flash games, and science challenges in the context of an unfolding story over the course of two months in the spring of 2011. The website will be players' central hub for the experience.

Term: Present - Summer 2011 (Urgently required!)

Experience Desired:

• Recent website development for compatibility with modern browsers.
• Using and modifying open-source content management systems such as Drupal.
• Database architecture and utilizing open source databases such as MySQL.
• Development of all parts of a modern website including graphic design and backend programming.

• Work with websites for youth (understanding of COPPA rules)
• Experience with tight integration/communication between Flash and the websites hosting them.

Applicants should contact Caitlin Feeley at cfeeley AT mit DOT edu.

Development Officer

MIT's Program in Comparative Media Studies in the School of Humanities, Arts and Social Science is seeking a development officer to meet the program's resource development goals of supporting faculty research and funding graduate students, primarily by focusing on institutional sources of giving: corporate, foundation, and government grants. The ideal candidate will be an experienced grant writer with a clear understanding of how to work both independently and in coordination with a variety of key players -- faculty, administrators, and, as needed, other development staff -- to identify potential funding opportunities, produce strategies and proposals, and steward ongoing grants. Experience with media-related content strongly preferred.

General Duties: Will collaborate with faculty members and research staff to develop their research ideas into fundable projects; will assess and target development options and opportunities; will work with the director, faculty members, administrative officer, School resource development staff, and MIT Central Resource Development to identify, cultivate, and steward prospects and potential funders.

Specific Duties: Will identify relevant funding opportunities and gather relevant background and application information; develop and oversee proposal submission process including gathering and preparing materials to accompany grants such as needs analysis, goals, objectives, timelines, budget narrative, evaluation strategies, and other supporting data; assist in reporting process for specific grants, including periodic and final reports and renewal applications submitted to funders; plan and execute cultivation events; assist the Assistant Dean with stewardship process when needed, including drafting acknowledgement and stewardship letters and reports; and related duties as needed.

Qualifications: A bachelor's degree, advanced degree preferred; outstanding persuasive writing skills as well as ability to clearly articulate complex information and funding priorities; five or more years experience in grant writing, including familiarity with funding opportunities and application processes; experience in higher education and in media-related areas strongly preferred; documented success securing funding from foundation, corporate, and government sources including new funders; working knowledge of research resources for foundation, corporate and government funding sources; exceptional organizational, interpersonal, and oral and written communication skills; and strong diplomacy skills. Must be able to work efficiently both independently and as part of a team, sometimes under tight deadlines.

Apply on the Jobs at MIT website.

Tenure-Track Assistant Professor

MIT's Program in Comparative Media Studies in the School of Humanities, Arts and Social Science is seeking a tenure-track assistant professor of media studies to start in the Fall of 2011.

Candidates should have a Ph.D. with a record of significant publication (or the promise thereof), research activity and/or experience relevant to civic media. Relevant areas of specialization include the contemporary practice, history, or theory of one or more of the following: user-generated content; forms of civic engagement such as citizen journalism, journalism and new media, and location-based social networks; innovative uses of media technology; media and democracy; youth culture and media literacies. Fluency in a broader array of theories, histories and practices associated with media studies will be considered a plus.

Applicants should have teaching experience. Please send a letter of application, C.V., three letters of recommendation, and hard copy samples of your research and publications to:

Prof. James G. Paradis
Interim Director
Program in Comparative Media Studies
Room E15-331
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge, MA 02139