Senior Researcher

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Department:

School of Public Affairs

Time Type: Full time

FLSA Status:Exempt

Job Description:

The Polarization & Extremism Research & Innovation Lab (“PERIL”) and the Department of Justice, Law, & Criminology in the School of Public Affairs at American University are seeking applications for 2 Senior Researcher positions (who would be appointed at the rank of Research Assistant Professor).

The Polarization & Extremism Research & Innovation Lab (“PERIL”) is an applied research lab preventing radicalization to violent extremism by strengthening community resilience. We use a public health approach to design, test, and scale-up evidence-based tools and strategies that effectively reduce the threat of radicalization to harmful online and offline content including conspiracy theories, mis/disinformation, propaganda, and supremacist ideologies. As an alternative to security-based approaches that rely on surveillance, censorship, and incarceration, our work takes a multidisciplinary and preventative approach to support individuals and communities to reject propaganda and extremist content, as well as empower them to intervene and interrupt early radicalization.

PERIL and its Executive Leadership Team have a common vision of a just world free of hate and full of learning, and a mission to utilize public health approaches to design, test and scale evidence-based tools and strategies to prevent hate, bias, and extremist radicalization.

About the Senior Researcher role:

The incoming Senior Researcher will have an extraordinary opportunity to make an impact within the field of public health approaches to reducing extremist violence. The Senior Researcher for the Polarization and Extremism Research and Innovation Lab (PERIL) will play a critical role in advancing our research and objectives. The Senior Researcher plays a central role in conducting analysis, shaping research agendas, designing rigorous studies, and translating findings into meaningful impact. This position requires critical thinking, a strong publication record or trajectory, and the ability to lead interdisciplinary research efforts from ideation through dissemination. Working closely with the Executive Director, the Founding Director & Chief Vision Officer, and key members of the research leadership team, the Senior Researcher will help translate strategic goals around community-based prevention into actionable projects. The work performed will demand extensive contact with numerous organizations, community groups, schools, non-profit and faith-based organizations, government agencies, and the citizens of the state. It will also require excellent communication skills and sensitivity to the needs of the various groups.

The Senior Researcher will play a critical role in advancing our research and objectives. This position demands a highly skilled, qualitatively and quantitatively focused professional who can lead and contribute groundbreaking research initiatives while building and maintaining strong relationships with funders and partners to further PERIL’s mission:

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. Presentations may include formal meetings with funders, academic conferences, PERIL workshops, and training.

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.

Conducts quantitative data analysis for additional PERIL research projects. Assists other research teams in interpreting and contextualizing quantitative data. Supports program evaluation for interventions and PERIL initiatives. Determines content for research reports and briefs, with significant input from the director. Presents research findings to internal teams, funders, partners, and broader professional audiences. This includes formal meetings, academic conferences, workshops, and training sessions. Contributes to innovations in theory and research methods. Respond to media inquiries related to PERIL research.

Analyzes and synthesizes white papers, research reports, and data into publishable academic manuscripts. Identifies compelling findings and frames them according to journal standards and target audiences. Collaborates with team members to update statistical models or conduct supplementary analyses as needed for publication.

Identifies appropriate journals for submission based on subject matter, impact factor, and audience reach. Tailors manuscripts to meet specific journal guidelines and thematic focuses. Leads or contributes to the peer-review process, addressing reviewer feedback and revising manuscripts as needed.

Collaborates with PERIL team members to pursue and secure at least two grants per year.

Skills and experience:

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.

A track record of leading powerfully through collaborative relationships, with deep experience in coalition building, facilitating partnerships, and playing an advisory role to a wide array of stakeholders

Research, training, education, or teaching experience in the prevention field

Experience working in an ambiguous, entrepreneurial context and launching innovative projects or initiatives

Deep knowledge of the topics studied by the lab, including extremism, radicalization, misinformation, conspiracy theories, and male supremacy.

Ability to manage multiple projects, meet deadlines, and collaborate effectively in a team-based environment.

Strong qualitative and quantitative research skills and ability to analyze and interpret quantitative data

Sound judgment and decision-making skills

Demonstrated experience of scaling programs

Experience working on a small team with a highly collaborative, “all hands-on deck” approach; ability to juggle many competing priorities at once

Exemplary leadership, analytical and problem-solving skills

Strong communication and interpersonal skills

Desired mindset and orientation

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

There is no teaching associated with these positions. The initial appointment is for 12 months starting July 1, 2025, or sooner depending on the candidate's qualifications.

The salary for these positions will be generated through externally funded research activities. The expected salary range is $75,000 - $115,000, commensurate with education, qualifications, and work experience.

Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled, subject to ongoing budgetary approval. Please submit applications via Workday, please include a cover letter, curriculum vitae, and the name and contact information of three professional references. Please email Katie Spann at if you have any questions.

Benefits

AU offers a competitive benefits package including a 200% matching retirement plan, tuition benefits for full-time staff and their families, several leadership development certificates, and has been recognized by the American Heart Association as a fit-friendly worksite. Click here to learn about American University's unique benefit options.

Other Details

Hiring offers for this position are contingent on successful completion of a background check.

Employees in staff positions at American University must deliver their services to the university from either the District of Columbia, Maryland, or Virginia, or perform work on-site at the university.

Please note this job announcement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

American University is an E-Verify employer.

Current American University Employees

American University current employees must apply through their employee Workday account. If you are a current employee at American University, please log into Workday and select the Find Jobs report which will take you to our internal career listings.

Contact Us

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