Senior Democracy Researcher

Documented Investigations; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 74,000 - 92,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid parental leave

Generous vacation time

401(k) plan with employer match

Job summary

A nonpartisan investigative organization is seeking a Senior Democracy Researcher to lead investigations into threats to democracy. The ideal candidate will have 5-10 years of relevant experience, strong analytical skills, and proven success in investigative research. Responsibilities include managing junior researchers, driving investigative projects, and writing engaging stories for external media. The position is virtual, with a preferred location in Washington D.C. A competitive salary ranging from $74,000 to $92,000 is offered, along with a generous benefits package.

Qualifications

• 5-10 years of experience in investigative research.
• Experience managing or leading research teams.
• Strong understanding of U.S. politics and threats to democracy.

Responsibilities

• Lead investigative projects aimed at threats to democracy.
• Manage and mentor junior researchers.
• Write news stories for external media.

Skills

Investigative research

U.S. politics knowledge

Project management

Analytical skills

Mentoring

Detail-oriented

Database research

Job description

Senior Democracy Researcher

Location: Virtual, Washington D.C. preferred

Experience: 5-10 years relevant experience

Term: Full-time employee

Salary: $74,000 - $92,000

Summary

Documented is seeking creative and experienced Senior Researchers to support our expanding investigations into threats to democracy. This is a unique opportunity for an organized, motivated individual to sharpen investigative and analytical skills while contributing to work with real impact. As a Senior Researcher, you will join a collaborative team of journalists and investigators dedicated to exposing how powerful networks and organized special interests are undermining our elections, attacking fundamental rights, eroding protections for marginalized communities, and weakening a free and fair judiciary. This role includes frequent work with outside media and others.

About Documented

Documented is a nonpartisan investigative watchdog and journalism project that conducts original investigative research to expose how organized special interests are undermining our democracy. Founded in 2017, Documented has carried out groundbreaking, award‑winning investigations into the funding, strategies, and networks of powerful actors working to weaken the pillars of our political system. Our investigations have revealed the secret internal training videos of Project 2025 and played a central role in exposing how far‑right political operatives are working to reshape the judiciary and legal system in order to advance an extreme political agenda through the courts. Documented’s work has appeared in co‑branded investigations with outlets including ProPublica, The Guardian, and Rolling Stone. Our research has also been featured in front‑page stories in The New York Times, The Washington Post, and The New Yorker, and highlighted in broadcast reporting from CBS Mornings, NPR, and Last Week Tonight with John Oliver.

Role & Responsibilities

The Senior Researcher will collaborate with colleagues across the team while leading projects that advance Documented’s investigations into threats to democracy. The core objective of this role is to produce new, significant, and revealing information that shines a light on organized efforts to undermine democracy and erode protections for LGBTQ people, reproductive rights, and other fundamental freedoms. Specific responsibilities will depend on the candidate’s expertise and background, but the role requires creativity, strong analytical skills, and the ability to work both collaboratively and independently.

Day‑to‑day responsibilities may include:

• Developing and driving groundbreaking investigative projects.
• Managing junior members of the research team.
• Sharing expertise and guiding team members to sharpen their research methods.
• Writing news stories for publication with external media partners.
• Creating content for Documented’s platforms, including our website and newsletter.
• Partnering with top‑tier journalists to develop and break stories informed by Documented’s investigations.
• Speaking with external media and other partners about Documented’s work.
• Reviewing, organizing, and analyzing large volumes of material and data to identify and synthesize key findings.
• Participating in regular strategy and planning meetings to surface new research opportunities and ideas.

Candidate Profile

You might be a great candidate if you bring the following knowledge, skills, and experience:

• Proven success conducting investigative research – including uncovering new information, analyzing public records and large datasets, and translating findings into compelling narratives.
• Strong interest in and deep understanding of U.S. politics, particularly the groups, donors, and individuals working to undermine our democracy.
• Experience managing or leading other researchers, including mentoring junior researchers and overseeing projects.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex research projects, stay organized across multiple priorities, and maintain large collections of interrelated documents.
• A sharp eye for detail and accuracy in research, writing, editing, and project management.
• A creative, innovative approach to research and problem‑solving.
• Collaborative spirit with the flexibility to respond to shifting priorities, combined with the self‑motivation to work independently when needed.
• Willingness to travel for events or research needs.
• Experience with research databases such as LexisNexis, state and federal campaign finance tools, and ethics and lobbying disclosure databases (a plus).
• A readiness to dive in, learn quickly, and adapt — and an appreciation for a team that values curiosity, growth, and mutual support.

Compensation & Benefits

The compensation for this position is $74,000 – $92,000, commensurate with experience. We are a family‑friendly organization and offer a generous and competitive benefits package, including health insurance with vision and dental care; life insurance and disability coverage; three months paid parental leave; generous sick and vacation time; and a 401(k)/Roth investment plan, including an employer match.

Equal Opportunity & Inclusion

Documented is committed to building a team that reflects the diversity of our country, and an equitable and inclusive environment that values team members’ unique skills and perspectives. We strongly encourage applications from members of marginalized communities that have been disproportionately affected by ongoing threats to democracy to apply, including those who identify as Black, Indigenous, people of color, women, and the non‑binary, LGBTQIA+ and disabled communities.

Documented is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals and ensures that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. Documented is an equal‑opportunity employer; all applicants will be considered.

Applications will be considered on a rolling basis.