Senior Research and Policy Associate

Loyola Marymount University; United States; On-site; USD 89,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The Coelho Center for Disability Law, Policy, and Innovation at Loyola Marymount University seeks a Senior Associate for Research and Policy to support and advance its research, policy, and public-facing work. This role collaborates with the Faculty Director to shape the research agenda, produce policy briefs, and translate scholarship into policy interventions.

The ideal candidate brings strong research, writing, project management, and policy analysis skills with experience in disability law,

Qualifications

• Typically, a J.D. or Ph.D in public policy, political science, or sociolegal studies, or equivalent advanced degree in law, public policy, disability studies, social work, sociology, public health, political science, psychology, gender studies, or a related field.
• Minimum 3 years’ experience conducting research, policy analysis, legal analysis, program evaluation, or community-engaged research in an academic, nonprofit, legal, governmental, advocacy, or policy setting.
• Demonstrated knowledge of disability law, disability policy, disability studies, disability justice, or related fields.
• Excellent writing skills, including the ability to translate complex research, legal, and policy material for multiple audiences.
• Strong organizational and project management skills, including the ability to manage multiple projects, deadlines, collaborators, and deliverables.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively, exercise sound judgment, and make consistent progress without close day-to-day supervision.
• Experience supervising, mentoring, or coordinating the work of students, research assistants, junior staff, fellows, or interns.
• Strong interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to work respectfully with diverse communities, including disabled people, families, advocates, service providers, scholars, and institutional partners.
• Demonstrated commitment to accessibility, disability inclusion, ethical research practices, and equity.
• Computer competency, including proficiency with Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and research/project management tools.
• Familiarity with Qualtrics, Zotero, SPSS, SmartSheet, or similar tools is preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

• Develop, coordinate, and manage research and policy projects in collaboration with the Faculty Director.
• Conduct legal, policy, qualitative, and/or mixed-methods research related to disability law, disability rights, care infrastructure, public benefits, health care, employment, housing, and related areas.
• Draft, revise, and edit policy briefs, white papers, research reports, public-facing explainers, grant materials, presentations, and other TCC publications.
• Track and synthesize relevant developments in federal, state, and local disability law and policy, including California-specific developments where applicable.
• Support the design and implementation of community-engaged research projects, including interviews, focus groups, surveys, landscape scans, literature reviews, and policy analyses.
• Maintain a research infrastructure, including project timelines, databases, bibliographies, codebooks, interview protocols, data management systems, and publication workflows.
• Supervise and mentor associate research staff, graduate research fellows, undergraduate research assistants, and/or student workers on TCC projects.
• Coordinate research assignments, review work product, provide feedback, and ensure timely completion of deliverables.
• Assist with planning and execution of TCC convenings, workshops, public programs, stakeholder meetings, and policy roundtables.
• Collaborate with disability advocates, service providers, scholars, legal professionals, policymakers, community organizations, and people with lived experience.
• Support grant writing, fundraising proposals, donor reports, and other development-related materials in partnership with the Faculty Director and university staff.
• Prepare sophisticated presentations, briefing materials, public reports, and visual summaries of research findings.
• Represent TCC in relevant university, professional, community, policy, and advocacy settings, including public meetings, briefings, coalition spaces, stakeholder conversations, and conferences.
• Ensure that TCC research and programming reflect strong commitments to accessibility, disability inclusion, ethical research practices, and community accountability.
• Perform other duties as assigned or requested.

Skills

Research

Writing

Project management

Policy analysis

Education

JD or PhD in public policy, political science, or related field

Tools

Qualtrics

Zotero

SPSS

SmartSheet

Job description

The Coelho Center for Disability Law, Policy, and Innovation (TCC) at Loyola Marymount University seeks a Senior Associate for Research and Policy to support and advance TCC’s research, policy, and public-facing work. This position will work closely with the Faculty Director to develop and implement TCC’s research agenda, produce policy briefs and reports, support community-engaged research projects, supervise research staff and student fellows, and help translate scholarship into meaningful policy interventions. The ideal candidate will have strong research, writing, project management, and policy analysis skills, with experience in disability law, disability policy, public benefits, health care, housing, labor, care infrastructure, or related fields. This position requires the ability to work independently, manage complex projects, collaborate with faculty and community partners, and produce clear written materials for academic, policy, practitioner, and public audiences.

Loyola Marymount University Expectations Exhibit behavior that supports the mission, vision, and values of the university. Communicate and employ interpersonal actions that model high standards of professional, responsible, accountable, and ethical conduct. Demonstrate a commitment to outstanding service, inclusive excellence, and the building of a just society.

Position Specific Responsibilities/Accountabilities

• Develop, coordinate, and manage research and policy projects in collaboration with the Faculty Director.
• Conduct legal, policy, qualitative, and/or mixed-methods research related to disability law, disability rights, care infrastructure, public benefits, health care, employment, housing, and related areas.
• Draft, revise, and edit policy briefs, white papers, research reports, public-facing explainers, grant materials, presentations, and other TCC publications.
• Track and synthesize relevant developments in federal, state, and local disability law and policy, including California-specific developments where applicable.
• Support the design and implementation of community-engaged research projects, including interviews, focus groups, surveys, landscape scans, literature reviews, and policy analyses.
• Maintain a research infrastructure, including project timelines, databases, bibliographies, codebooks, interview protocols, data management systems, and publication workflows.
• Supervise and mentor associate research staff, graduate research fellows, undergraduate research assistants, and/or student workers on TCC projects.
• Coordinate research assignments, review work product, provide feedback, and ensure timely completion of deliverables.
• Assist with planning and execution of TCC convenings, workshops, public programs, stakeholder meetings, and policy roundtables.
• Collaborate with disability advocates, service providers, scholars, legal professionals, policymakers, community organizations, and people with lived experience.
• Support grant writing, fundraising proposals, donor reports, and other development-related materials in partnership with the Faculty Director and university staff.
• Prepare sophisticated presentations, briefing materials, public reports, and visual summaries of research findings.
• Represent TCC in relevant university, professional, community, policy, and advocacy settings, including public meetings, briefings, coalition spaces, stakeholder conversations, and conferences.
• Ensure that TCC research and programming reflect strong commitments to accessibility, disability inclusion, ethical research practices, and community accountability.
• Perform other duties as assigned or requested.

Requisite Qualifications

• Typically, a J.D. or Ph.D in public policy, political science, or sociolegal studies, or equivalent advanced degree in law, public policy, disability studies, social work, sociology, public health, political science, psychology, gender studies, or a related field.
• Minimum 3 years’ experience conducting research, policy analysis, legal analysis, program evaluation, or community-engaged research in an academic, nonprofit, legal, governmental, advocacy, or policy setting.
• Demonstrated knowledge of disability law, disability policy, disability studies, disability justice, or related fields.
• Excellent writing skills, including the ability to translate complex research, legal, and policy material for multiple audiences.
• Strong organizational and project management skills, including the ability to manage multiple projects, deadlines, collaborators, and deliverables.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively, exercise sound judgment, and make consistent progress without close day-to-day supervision.
• Experience supervising, mentoring, or coordinating the work of students, research assistants, junior staff, fellows, or interns.
• Strong interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to work respectfully with diverse communities, including disabled people, families, advocates, service providers, scholars, and institutional partners.
• Demonstrated commitment to accessibility, disability inclusion, ethical research practices, and equity.
• Computer competency, including proficiency with Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and research/project management tools.
• Familiarity with Qualtrics, Zotero, SPSS, SmartSheet, or similar tools is preferred but not required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with national and California disability systems, including Medi-Cal, Medicaid, regional centers, developmental disability services, special education, community-based services, housing, employment, or long-term services and supports.
• Experience producing policy briefs, legislative testimony, public reports, grant proposals, academic publications, or legal/policy memoranda.
• Experience working with disability-led organizations, advocacy groups, public agencies, legal services organizations, research centers, or university-based institutes.
• Experience with both qualitative and quantitative research methods.
• Experience planning public programs, convenings, stakeholder meetings, or community-engaged research events.
• Familiarity with accessibility practices for public events, digital materials, presentations, and research dissemination.

Staff Term (Fixed Term)

Salary range $89,100.00 - $120,400.00

Salary commensurate with education and experience.

Please note that this position may not be eligible for visa sponsorship now or in the future.

Loyola Marymount University, a Carnegie classified R2 institution in the mainstream of American Catholic higher education, seeks outstanding applicants who value its mission and share its commitment to inclusive excellence, the education of the whole person, and the building of a just society.

LMU is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing an environment free from discrimination and harassment as defined by federal, state and local law.

We invite all persons in the full diversity of their being, life experience, and beliefs to apply. (Visit www.lmu.edu for more information.)

LMU is committed to providing equal access to employment opportunities and ensuring a comprehensive recruitment and selection process for all applicants.

Individuals who require a reasonable accommodation to participate in any stage of the application, interview, or selection process may contact Human Resources at [e-mail] or by phone at [phone].

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LMU will work with applicants in a timely and interactive process to identify and provide reasonable accommodations consistent with applicable federal and state law.

Founded in 1911, Loyola Marymount University is a Carnegie classified R2 institution rooted in the Jesuit and Marymount traditions.

We are committed to fostering a diverse academic community rich in opportunity for intellectual engagement and real-world experience.

We enroll an academically ambitious, multicultural, and socioeconomically diverse student body.

We recruit, retain and support a diverse faculty committed to excellence in teaching, research, scholarship and creativity.

Our three campuses are rooted in the heart of Los Angeles, a global capital for arts and entertainment, innovation and technology, business and entrepreneurship.

LMU is a unique and rewarding place to work.

As you consider your employment opportunities with our institution, we encourage you to take the time to learn about the university community and how it distinguishes us from other places of employment.

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The University does not discriminate on these bases, or any other basis protected by law, in the administration of any of its education or admissions policies, scholarship or loan programs, athletics, and other school-administered policies and programs, or in its employment policies and practices.

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