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Senior Researcher

Senior Researcher

CompanyAmerican University
LocationWashington, DC, USA
Salary$75000 – $115000
TypeFull-Time
DegreesMaster’s
Experience LevelSenior

Requirements

  • Master’s degree in psychology, sociology, political science, public health, criminology, education, or a related field. PhD preferred.
  • A minimum of 2 years of relevant experience in management and leadership roles within the prevention space.
  • Familiarity with public health approaches and prevention of extremism, radicalization, misinformation, conspiracy theories, and male supremacy.
  • Comfort with statistical tools, evaluation frameworks, or multi-method analysis.
  • Experience working with schools, nonprofits, or government agencies.
  • Strong qualitative and quantitative research skills and ability to analyze and interpret quantitative data.

Responsibilities

  • Leads research projects with support from the director of research and research team leadership, including conceptualizing projects and driving major decisions on research design.
  • Serves as a primary contact for funders and partners, managing relationships to ensure alignment with project objectives.
  • Oversees project progress, ensuring deadlines and deliverables are met by coordinating with staff and project managers, scheduling key meetings, and managing internal timelines.
  • Responsible for data storage, ensuring proper archiving of internal and external work products.
  • Leads most research methods within a project, particularly qualitative models, ensuring research is designed and conducted in alignment with project goals and that findings are effectively integrated across methodologies.
  • Supports research projects by contributing to qualitative and some quantitative research as a secondary support, including running data analysis for PERIL projects, assisting research teams in interpreting and contextualizing findings, and providing support for program evaluations of interventions and PERIL initiatives.
  • Determines content for research reports and briefs with significant input from the director of research and research leadership.
  • Presents research findings regularly to internal and external stakeholders, including PERIL directors, staff, funders, partners, and other professionals in the field.
  • Contributes to innovations in research theory and methodology, ensuring PERIL’s work remains at the forefront of the field.
  • Responds to media inquiries and requests related to PERIL research, effectively communicating findings to the public and relevant stakeholders.
  • Analyzes and synthesizes white papers, research reports, and data into publishable academic manuscripts.
  • Identifies appropriate journals for submission based on subject matter, impact factor, and audience reach.
  • Collaborates with PERIL team members to pursue and secure at least two grants per year.

Preferred Qualifications

  • An entrepreneurial orientation, with experience and comfort in an environment that requires generating new ideas and approaches, handling shifting priorities, working autonomously, and adapting to rapid change.
  • A bold strategic thinker who achieves impact while maintaining ease, values-alignment, and voice for all stakeholders.
  • A leader who centers listening, humility, and relationships to achieve goals.
  • A collaborative team player who thrives in a culture of learning, feedback, coaching and reciprocal support among the team.