The University of Texas at Austin's LBJ School of Public Affairs is looking to establish and lead the technical operations and strategic development of the new Texas Open-Source Initiative (TOSI). This initiative aims to conduct ethical, rigorous open-source research and train students in open-source collection skills and ethics.
Requirements
- Demonstrated experience with open-source intelligence tools and methodologies
- Proficiency in Python, R, or similar languages for data analysis and tool development
- Experience with forensic analysis tools and methodologies for digital evidence
- Knowledge of GIS software, satellite imagery analysis, location intelligence
- Advanced skills in statistical analysis, data visualization, metadata analysis, and large dataset manipulation
- Understanding of web scraping, API development, and database management
- Knowledge of operational security, anonymization techniques, and secure research practices
Responsibilities
- Oversee and maintain the initiative’s technical infrastructure, including secure research environments, data storage systems, and specialized OSINT tools
- Develop, implement, and socialize technical standards and best practices for research and digital investigations
- Ensure compliance with university data governance, privacy, and security policies
- Collaborate with faculty on complex technical investigations requiring advanced OSINT methodologies
- Provide technical guidance and support for student research projects across disciplines
- Develop methodologies for reproducible, ethically conducted digital research
- Identify emerging technologies and methodologies relevant to open-source intelligence
Other
- Ability to translate complex technical concepts for variable audiences, think strategically about technology adoption and implementation and able to project manage for multi-stakeholder initiatives
- Manage relationships with open-source communities and government partners
- Teach two courses in the Masters of National Security curriculum, such as Intelligence Analysis and Digital Investigations, Emerging Technologies and National Security
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, experience presenting to academic, governmental, and public audiences and ability to work effectively with interdisciplinary teams
- Strong commitment to research ethics and responsible disclosure practices, understanding of academic integrity and publication standards, awareness of legal and ethical constraints in digital investigations
