About SPARC
SPARC is a non-profit advocacy organization that supports open systems for research and education that enable everyone, everywhere to access, contribute to, and benefit from the knowledge that shapes our world. As a catalyst for action, our pragmatic agenda focuses on driving policy change, supporting member action, and cultivating communities that advance our vision of knowledge as a public good. SPARC’s membership includes about 240 libraries and academic organizations across North America, and we work in close collaboration with a wide range of allied organizations who share our core vision.
Position Summary
SPARC is seeking a Senior Policy Fellow to lead our efforts in tracking, shaping, and advancing public access policies related to Persistent Digital Identifiers (PIDs) and metadata standards for federally funded research. This role will support SPARC’s mission to ensure equitable access to taxpayer-funded research by strengthening the legislative and regulatory foundation for open infrastructure that enhances discoverability, accessibility, and reuse of scholarly outputs.
| Position Title | Senior Policy Fellow |
| Location | Virtual |
| Hours & Schedule | 40 hours per week (average), generally available 9am-5pm Eastern Time with limited flexibility for other schedules or time zones. Extra hours may be necessary periodically and are offset by a generous time off policy during the rest of the year. Will require 3 to 5 overnight trips a year. |
| U.S. Overtime Status | Exempt |
| Compensation | Full time employee salary of $120,000-$150,000 USD per year, commensurate with experience. |
| Employee Benefits | Candidates legally authorized to work in the United States will be considered for employment and will receive a comprehensive benefits package that includes 100% employer-paid health, dental, and vision insurance for employees (and their families). Employees are able to enroll in a 401k retirement plan and are eligible for a 3% automatic contribution and up to a 3% employer match on 401k contributions. Employees are also eligible for pre-tax transportation benefits. Employees will receive 80 hours of vacation time, 80 hours of health leave, up to 2 days of casual leave, and 20 hours of volunteer leave annually. Employees will also receive 13 paid holidays throughout the calendar year. Employees are eligible for 12 weeks of paid family and medical leave after 90 days of employment.
Candidates located outside the United States will not be considered for this role. |
| Reports to | SPARC Executive Director |
| Availability | Desired start date of June 15, 2025
The position is funded for 24 months. Continued employment is subject to the availability of future funding. |
Key Responsibilities
- Monitor and analyze federal agency implementations of the OSTP Nelson Memo and other public access policies, with specific focus on PIDs and metadata requirements
- Identify and help pursue opportunities to advance legislative language supporting PIDs and metadata standards in relevant bills.
- Track and analyze proposed legislation for opportunities to incorporate language on PIDs and interoperable metadata standards
- Monitor and analyze emerging AI policies and their implications for research access, PIDs, and metadata standards
- Collaborate on best practices for AI-ready metadata that enhances discoverability while preserving attribution
- Develop policy recommendations to strengthen federal requirements for open infrastructure and interoperable metadata standards
- Build and maintain relationships with federal agencies (NIH, NSF, DOE, etc.), congressional staff, and key stakeholders in the research and library communities
- Represent SPARC at policy meetings, federal hearings, and academic conferences
- Author policy briefs, white papers, etc. that translate complex technical infrastructure concepts for policymakers and SPARC community
- Collaborate with SPARC’s broader advocacy team to integrate PID and metadata considerations into the coalition’s overall policy strategy
- Coordinate with SPARC member institutions to gather insights on implementation challenges and best practices
- Support SPARC’s international partnerships on global standards for research infrastructure
Qualifications
Education and Experience
- 7+ years of experience in scholarly communication, research policy, or digital infrastructure development
- Deep understanding of the U.S. federal research enterprise and public access policies
- Knowledge of persistent identifiers (DOIs, ORCIDs, RORs, etc.) and metadata standards for research outputs
- Understanding of both the policy and technical aspects of research infrastructure
- Understanding of how AI systems interact with scholarly content and research outputs
- Ability to articulate the connections between open infrastructure, metadata standards, and responsible AI development
- Experience working at or with federal research agencies and understanding of their policy development processes
- Experience with or knowledge of the federal legislative process and congressional operations
- Experience working on Capitol Hill or with congressional committees
- Experience with international standards bodies or global open science initiatives
- Commitment to SPARC’s mission of open and equitable access to knowledge
- Knowledge of current challenges in scholarly publishing ecosystems
- No specific degree is required, although some education, training, or experience in law, public policy, public administration, or related fields is preferred.
Skills and Abilities
- Excellent analytical, writing, and communication skills
- Demonstrated ability to translate technical concepts into policy-relevant language
Additional desirable qualifications that will set qualified candidates apart
- Prior involvement in successful legislative advocacy campaigns
- Experience in academic libraries or research administration
- Background in coalition-building and community organizing
- Familiarity with the open science movement and SPARC’s advocacy history
- Familiarity with AI governance frameworks and understanding of technical requirements for making research AI-ready while maintaining attribution and provenance
- Advanced degree in information science, library science, public policy, or a related field
How to Apply
Please complete the online application by April 15, 2025 to apply for the position. Candidates not selected to advance in the process will be notified by April 22, 2025. Email [email protected] with any questions or requests for accommodations.
Hiring Statement
The Scholarly Publishing and Academic Resources Coalition is a project of New Venture Fund (NVF), a 501(c)(3) public charity that incubates new and innovative public-interest projects and grant-making programs. NVF is committed to attracting, developing and retaining exceptional people, and to creating a work environment that is dynamic, rewarding and enables each of us to realize our potential. NVF’s work environment is safe and open to all employees and partners, respecting the full spectrum of race, color, religious creed, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, political affiliation, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, and all other classifications protected by law in the locality and/or state in which you are working.
E-Verify Statement
NVF participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with employees’ Form I-9 information to confirm authorization to work in the United States. Job candidates and employees authorized to work may not be discriminated against on the basis of national origin or citizenship status.