Visiting scientist, bibliometrics and science of science

Schmidt Sciences is a nonprofit organization founded in 2024 by Eric and Wendy Schmidt that works to accelerate scientific knowledge and breakthroughs with the most promising, advanced tools to support a thriving planet. The organization prioritizes research in areas poised for impact including AI and advanced computing, astrophysics, biosciences, climate, and space—as well as supporting researchers in a variety of disciplines through its science systems program.

About the Science Systems Center

Science Systems strengthens the technical and academic systems underlying scientific discovery through the support of people, tools, and technology. Its programs remove specific barriers researchers face, from crossing disciplines at critical career stages to accessing high-quality software and using AI effectively, and increasingly work to scale the practices and institutional models that help ambitious research thrive. The Center's portfolio includes the Schmidt Science Fellows, Schmidt Science Polymaths, the AI in Science Fellowship, the Virtual Institute for Scientific Software, Science Communications, and the Israeli Women's Postdoctoral Award.

Summary

The Science Systems Center at Schmidt Sciences invites applications for a 12-month Visiting Scientist position focused on bibliometrics and the science of science. The role combines hands-on work improving how Schmidt Sciences assesses the outcomes of its programs with the opportunity to shape the organization's thinking on scholarly infrastructure and the scientific record, as AI changes how research is produced, published, and verified. It is designed for researchers with expertise in measuring scientific output, collaboration, and impact, who make effective use of AI and large-scale data in their analysis, and who want to see research funding from the inside while continuing their own research. Both early-career researchers (Visiting Scientist) and mid-career and senior researchers on sabbatical (Distinguished Visiting Scientist) will be considered for this position. Start dates are flexible.

The Role

Reporting to the Director of the Science Systems Center, the Visiting Scientist will join the Science Systems team to strengthen impact measurement across the Center’s portfolio and help shape its future strategic directions in scholarly infrastructure and the scientific record.

The specific responsibilities of the role would be developed jointly by the individual and their manager and may change from time to time, but will include the following key elements:

Portfolio Impact and Strategy (Approx. 80% time)

• Review how programs across the Center collect, review, and assess outcomes, and recommend improvements.
• Design and pilot practical approaches for tracking the outcomes of awardees and programs over time, including measures of interdisciplinary research.
• Develop analyses and tools that program teams can use directly, making effective use of AI and large-scale bibliometric data.
• Assess the Center's current investments in strengthening the scientific literature, and map the broader landscape of efforts on scholarly infrastructure and the scientific record, including how AI is changing how research is published, discovered, and verified.
• Help shape the Center’s future strategy in this area, including a scoped recommendation on where and how it might invest and which program directions it could pursue.

Science of Science Research (Approx. 20% time)

Pursue an independent research agenda in bibliometrics and the science of science, using publicly available or independently obtained data.

Required Qualifications

• A PhD or equivalent from an accredited university in information science, computer science, applied mathematics, statistics, or a related field relevant to the science of science.
• At least 2 years of postdoctoral or equivalent professional experience in academia, industry, government, or private research organizations.
• Demonstrated expertise in bibliometrics, scientometrics, or the science of science, evidenced by peer-reviewed publications or comparable contributions.
• Hands-on experience working with large-scale data on publications, citations, researchers, and collaboration networks.
• Demonstrated effective use of AI in research and data analysis.
• Experience building databases, analytical tools, or software for science of science analysis.
• Ability to translate research into practical recommendations for program teams and non-specialist audiences.
• Proven ability to operate autonomously and make informed decisions while working with interdisciplinary teams.
• Be based on-site in New York, and be able to travel within the U.S. and internationally on a regular basis as needed.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience designing or conducting program evaluation or research assessment, particularly for funders, universities, or research organizations.
• Expertise in measuring interdisciplinary research or tracking researcher career outcomes.
• Familiarity with scholarly communication and research infrastructure, including open scholarly data, preprints, and the integrity of the scientific record.
• Experience with strategy development, landscape analysis, or program design.
• Experience building analytical tools for non-technical users.

This is an exempt position.

Schmidt Sciences, is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer that proudly pursues and hires a diverse workforce. We do not make hiring or employment decisions on the basis of race, color, religion or religious belief, ethnic or national origin, nationality, sex, gender, gender-identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, military or veteran status, or any other basis protected by applicable local, state, or federal laws or prohibited by Company policy. We strive for a healthy and safe workplace and strictly prohibit harassment of any kind.