Senior Fellow, Religion & Liberty Policy

Fellowships & Summer Associates; Scottsdale (AZ); On-site; USD 141,000 - 233,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

100% medical and dental insurance

Dependent care reimbursement

Paid disability

Long-term care insurance

Life insurance

401(k) plan with 4% match

Paid time off

12 paid holidays

Job summary

Alliance Defending Freedom seeks a Senior Fellow to join the Research & Innovation team, shaping legal and cultural strategy through scholarship, litigation support, and public engagement. You will lead horizon-scanning, author policy papers and op-eds, and collaborate with legal, legislative, and communications teams to advance ADF’s mission across issue areas.

Reporting to senior leadership, you will develop your portfolio, engage policymakers, and help organize events that translate complex

Qualifications

• Terminal degree (J.D., Ph.D., M.D., D.Min., or equivalent) strongly preferred.
• Minimum 10 years of ascending experience in law, policy, academia, journalism, theology, ministry, or related field.
• Demonstrated range across multiple fields with a record of advancing solutions.

Responsibilities

• Identify and analyze threats to religious liberty and related freedoms using research methods.
• Produce original written work for diverse audiences, with aiming placements in leading journals.
• Build a public voice and develop external relationships for ADF.
• Develop practical litigation and regulatory proposals with internal teams.
• Collaborate on case strategy, amicus briefs, and public messaging.
• Represent ADF before policymakers and allied organizations.
• Organize colloquia and gatherings to generate high-quality intelligence and thought leadership.
• Mentor junior staff and contribute to knowledge management projects.
• Prepare testimony, position papers, and public commentary.

Skills

Legal research

Policy analysis

Public speaking

Education

J.D., Ph.D., M.D., D.Min., or equivalent

Job description

Alliance Defending Freedom seeks a Senior Fellow to join the Research & Innovation team, shaping legal and cultural strategy through scholarship, litigation support, and public engagement. You will lead horizon-scanning, author policy papers and op-eds, and collaborate with legal, legislative, and communications teams to advance ADF’s mission across issue areas.

Reporting to senior leadership, you will develop your portfolio, engage policymakers, and help organize events that translate complex