Urban Institute has flagged the Research Associate I (Justice Policy Center) job as unavailable. Let’s keep looking.

Justice Policy Principal Research Associate

Urban Institute

Principal Research Associate - Justice Policy Center

About Urban Institute:

At the Urban Institute, we believe in the power of evidence to improve lives and strengthen communities. As a nonprofit focusing on social and economic policy, our researchers and policy entrepreneurs open minds, shape decisions, and identify transformative solutions to the most pressing issues of our time.

Our Mission

To open minds, shape decisions, and offer solutions through economic and social policy research.

Our Values

Collaboration, Equity, Inclusivity, Independence, and Integrity

For more information on the Urban Institute, please visit https://www.urban.org.

The Opportunity:

The Justice Policy Center’s (JPC) mission is to inform solutions to crime and safety challenges in the interests of promoting effectiveness in justice systems and operations; addressing the harms of victimization and justice system involvement; reducing racial and other inequities; strengthening community-led approaches to safety; and promoting justice, dignity, and well-being for all. We conduct objective, rigorous, interdisciplinary research, evaluation, and policy analysis and deliver data-driven recommendations, training, and technical assistance. In carrying out our research, we seek to center the voices, experiences, and perspectives of the people, practitioners, and communities most affected by crime and the criminal legal system.

JPC seeks a Principal Research Associate with expertise in policing. The ideal candidate will bring strong quantitative skills, a track record of collaborating with police departments, and deep knowledge of the external funding environment in this area. There is a strong preference for candidates who have executed randomized control trials and/or leveraged large administrative datasets to answer empirical questions about effective policing.

This position will be expected to support ongoing work, contribute to business development to further build the JPC’s research portfolio, and serve as principal investigator or senior advisor for future studies.

People from communities that are overrepresented in the criminal legal system and people with direct experience with the criminal legal system are encouraged to apply.

What You’ll Do:

  • Serve as a subject matter expert in policy and research about policing within and across the research center
  • Exhibit mastery of complex research and evaluation methods and processes and leads the improvement or innovation of broadly accepted and new methods or process
  • Manage and design all aspects of research projects, including staffing (by supervising and coaching individual team members), team performance, monitoring project progress, budget, and schedule, designing and implementing strategy, and ensuring effective dissemination
  • Raise funds to advance bodies of work within the center
  • Oversee quality control activities for specific projects, including ensuring the accuracy of data management, analysis, and reporting
  • Present to professional associations, practitioner organizations, technical working groups, funders, and policymakers
  • Disseminate research by authoring external facing products, including reports, blog posts, and journal articles

Who You Are:

  • Possess a doctoral degree in a social science field (e.g., criminology, sociology, political science)
  • Be a recognized expert with a reputation for effectively advancing knowledge, policy, or practice at the city, state, or national level
  • Demonstrate the ability to engage with sophisticated research and connect results to policymaking
  • Possess excellent management skills, including experience coordinating or staffing high-level advisory groups and interdisciplinary teams, and experience coaching staff and teams to desired outcomes 
  • Have produced clear, concise, and compelling analysis of complex policy issues and research evidence and have outstanding oral and written communications skills
  • Have experience with strategic communications, including outreach to media and target audiences in the public, business, and nonprofit sectors

What You’ll Experience:

No matter your role with Urban, you will contribute to meaningful work that makes a difference for people and communities across the country. And whether you call the Washington, DC area or elsewhere home, you can expect to be part of a welcoming and hybrid workplace. We are committed to cultivating a community and working in a manner defined by collaboration, equity, inclusivity, independence, and integrity.

Urban’s greatest asset is our people.

The target salary range for this position is $140,000 – $200,000. Salary offered is commensurate with experience and considers internal equity. Candidates from diverse backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply. Salaries are just one component of Urban Institute’s total compensation package. Urban is committed to supporting our staff’s physical, emotional, and financial well-being through a robust benefits package for yourself, eligible dependents, and domestic partners. It includes generous paid time off, including nine federal holidays, medical (including prescription), dental and vision insurance, and transit benefits. Urban is unique in that we offer 403(b) retirement plan participation immediately after you’re hired and a generous employer contribution after six months of service and 500 hours, with immediate vesting. You’ll also have access to a health advocate, personal finance coaching, an Employee Assistance Program, and educational assistance for undergraduate and graduate degree programs. This position has the opportunity to be fully remote.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by the people assigned. This posting is not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and requirements. Urban management reserves the right to amend and change duties, responsibilities, and requirements to meet business and organizational needs as necessary.

The Urban Institute is an equal-opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. All qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender or gender identity, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, veteran status, pregnancy or family responsibilities, matriculation, disability, political affiliation, or any other protected status under applicable law. The Urban Institute is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer Minorities/Women/Disabilities/Veterans.

We are committed to equal employment opportunity and providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with physical and/or mental disabilities. If you have a physical and/or mental disability and are interested in applying for employment and need special accommodations to use our website to apply for a position, please contact Human Resources at humanresources@urban.org. Reasonable accommodation requests are considered on a case-by-case basis.

Read Full Description
Confirmed 18 hours ago. Posted a day ago.

Discover Similar Jobs

Suggested Articles