Lead Researcher, JusticeForward: Applied Research & Teaching

University of San Diego; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 74,000 - 84,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Excellent Benefits

Job summary

The Lead Researcher for the JusticeForward Initiative at University of San Diego leads applied research, teaching, and public-facing knowledge products to strengthen pathways for justice-impacted students into careers within the justice sector.

This fixed-term, grant-funded role emphasizes collaboration with the IPJ and Kroc School, with on-site work, a 30-month term, and opportunities to mentor students and translate findings into policy-relevant resources.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree required in a relevant field such as peace and conflict studies, public policy, international relations, law, human rights, sociology, criminology, social work, education, political science, justice studies, public administration, or a closely related field.
• At least two (2) years of relevant professional experience in applied research, policy analysis, evaluation, teaching, higher education, community-engaged work, advocacy, public problem-solving, or related practice.
• Strong writing and analytical skills, including experience producing or contributing to research reports, policy briefs, literature reviews, evaluation products, public-facing writing, practitioner tools, grant deliverables, or other applied knowledge products.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage IPJ’s JusticeForward research workstream under the direction of the Executive Director and in close coordination with the Director of Research, Monitoring and Evaluation and relevant project partners.
• Conduct rigorous, ethical, and well-scoped applied research using appropriate quantitative, qualitative, policy, institutional, community-engaged, or mixed-methods approaches.
• Produce grant-required and project-related research, learning, and knowledge products that are responsive to project goals, partner needs, student learning, and implementation realities.

Skills

Applied research

Policy analysis

Evaluation

Grant writing

Project management

Stakeholder engagement

Academic writing

Ethical research

Public speaking

Education

Master’s degree in a relevant field

Terminal degree preferred (PhD/JD/EdD)

Job description

The Lead Researcher for the JusticeForward Initiative at University of San Diego leads applied research, teaching, and public-facing knowledge products to strengthen pathways for justice-impacted students into careers within the justice sector.

This fixed-term, grant-funded role emphasizes collaboration with the IPJ and Kroc School, with on-site work, a 30-month term, and opportunities to mentor students and translate findings into policy-relevant resources.