Institute for Law, Innovation & Technology (iLIT)
The Temple University Institute for Law, Innovation & Technology (iLIT), based at the Beasley School of Law, seeks a recent law school graduate to serve as the inaugural iLIT Scholar-Practitioner Fellow. The successful candidate will work with iLIT’s staff and partners to advance projects across all areas of the Institute’s work, including but not limited to research and advocacy on border technology, digital identity and digital public infrastructure, and emerging cybernorms and their alignment with human rights safeguards. The fellowship is a new program integrated with iLIT’s core commitment to build and sustain diverse leadership in technology fields. The program is consciously designed to promote the professional advancement of selected candidates in careers at the intersection of technology and society. The fellow will be mentored by iLIT’s director, Laura Bingham, and other University faculty affiliated with the Institute.
iLIT is a collaborative research, policy and advocacy hub driven to ensure that the field of digital technology bridges existing divides, remedies the systemic underrepresentation of minorities and other marginalized peoples, and innovates in ways that clearly advance the broad global public interest. We view legal education and legal practice as tools of individual and community empowerment that are integral to achieving our mission. Collaboration informs everything we do. Strategic investments in collaboration that we make today help us to imagine alternative visions for our work that are better informed, more equitable and more likely to support social justice goals.
The fellow will join a small hybrid team that meets in-person at least once per week. Staff have the option to work remotely or in the office, with flexibility for remote work to meet personal, health and family needs. The successful candidate will engage in both scholarly research and direct action, assisting with program management of priorities and initiatives. They will support the iLIT executive director in launching and running clinical educational programming focused on technology and human rights. They may also supervise student research.
Required qualifications include the following skills and experience.
- JD or LLM from an accredited institution and two years of practical experience, which may include work experience as a student.
- Ability to participate in and lead research projects involving faculty collaborators, community members, organizations/agencies and graduate students.
- Excellent organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and projects.
- Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills.
- Ability to effectively interact with a diverse population of students, colleagues and collaborators.
- A strong commitment to iLIT’s mission and values, including diversity and a personal approach that values and respects differences in race, ethnicity, age, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ability and socioeconomic circumstances.
- Demonstrated experience engaging and working with and/or on behalf of directly impacted communities is a plus.
Preferred qualifications include the following skills and experience.
- Subject matter expertise in digital technology development, procurement and use of surveillance technology, or related knowledge, including lived experience.
- Experience with or interest in clinical and practical education programs, including as a student.
- Practical experience and/or academic interest in fields of public international law, migration, anti-discrimination, international development, privacy and data protection.
- Passion for collaborative teamwork, with strong writing and communication skills.
- Experience with or interest in interdisciplinary research and practice, as well as comfort engaging in technical and social science research and scholarship are pluses.
A competitive salary with Temple University employee benefits is offered. This two-year appointment has the possibility of renewal, pending funding. The earliest start date is June 30, 2023. For graduates taking the bar exam in July 2023, a later start date is possible. Candidates located close to the Philadelphia area are strongly preferred.
For full consideration, apply by May 15, 2023. Review of applications begins upon receipt and continues until the position is filled. Candidates must send an email with the subject line “(last name) 2023 iLIT Scholar-Practitioner Fellow” and include a cover letter, current CV, and list of three references with contact information to
Laura Bingham, executive director of iLIT.
Email: [click-for-email]
Temple University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all in every aspect of its operations, including employment, service, and educational programs. The University has pledged not to discriminate on the basis of age, color, disability, marital status, national origin or ethnic origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or veteran status.
Revised May 3, 2023
Revised Apr. 21, 2023
Posted Apr. 13, 2023