Research Director (Temporary Position)

Job Title: Research Director

Location: Remote, United States

This is a temporary contract position and has a projected end date of 12-months with a possible extension of up to 6 months.

About the Organization: As a research and action organization, Center for Policing Equity (CPE) produces analyses identifying and reducing the causes of racial disparities in public safety. Using data-driven approaches to social justice, we use science to create levers for social, cultural, and policy change.

We are research scientists, race and equity experts, data virtuosos, and community trainers. We use data to build a more fair and just system. We partner with law enforcement and communities. Our aim is to bridge the divide of communication, generational mistrust, and suffering. But most of all, we are the path that science can forge towards public safety, community trust, and racial equity.

Position Overview:

The Center for Policing Equity (CPE) is seeking a highly skilled and equity-centered Research Director to lead a high-impact, national-scale project focused on advancing racial justice and equity in sexual and reproductive health care (SRHC). This project examines the intersection of public health, public safety, and systemic racism, with a focus on addressing long standing disparities faced by Black women, girls, trans, and non-binary individuals.

The Research Director will oversee all phases of the project—from discovery and survey development to data analysis and tool creation—while managing a multidisciplinary team and collaborating with external partners. This role is ideal for a public health expert with a proven track record in research leadership, deep knowledge of racial and reproductive equity, and experience driving actionable change through data.

Responsibilities:

• Direct the design and implementation of a national mixed-methods research initiative addressing racial inequities in SRHC.
• Guide project development through all phases: data discovery, survey creation and deployment, dashboard development, and dissemination of findings.
• Ensure all research activities align with the mission to dismantle structural racism and promote public health equity.
• Supervise a team of qualitative and quantitative researchers, data analysts, and data engineers.
• Develop and refine research protocols, analysis strategies, and project workflows.
• Maintain research quality, ethical standards, and alignment with equity principles throughout the project lifecycle.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders including advocacy groups, researchers, and data administrators to ensure inclusivity and relevance.
• Facilitate focus groups, stakeholder interviews, and ongoing knowledge exchange across key communities.
• Translate research findings into reports, presentations, and decision-support tools.
• Oversee the development of a comprehensive SRHC Equity Dashboard to help stakeholders track and measure progress.
• Produce national survey reports and provide evidence-based recommendations for systems-level change.
• Lead dissemination efforts including presentations, briefings, and possible contributions to peer-reviewed publications.

Job Requirements/Qualifications:

• PhD in Public Health or related field preferred; Master’s degree with 6+ years of relevant experience accepted.
• Expertise in racial equity, public health, and structural determinants of health.
• Significant experience leading large-scale, community-informed research projects focused on health equity, systemic racism, or reproductive justice.
• Demonstrated success in managing complex projects across multiple teams and timelines.
• Proficient in qualitative and/or mixed-methods research; familiarity with national survey implementation a plus.
• Skilled in turning complex data into actionable insights and accessible products.
• Strong communicator with excellent writing, facilitation, and stakeholder engagement abilities.
• Experience guiding junior staff in research contexts.
• Adaptable, collaborative, and responsive to shifting priorities and partner needs.

Compensation:

Range: $125,000 - $135,000 USD. The base salary for this position will vary based on place of residence and job-related criteria including relevant skills, qualifications and experience, among other factors.

In addition to the compensation range above, this role is eligible for:

• Employer-paid health benefits
• Generous time off policies; including paid parental leave
• Annual professional development allocation
• Cell phone reimbursement
• Home internet reimbursement
• Monthly work-from-home stipend
• A one-time stipend for home office set up
• A mental health app subscription

Equity is at the core of our organization. As such, we partner with compensation experts to ensure our employees are paid equitably.

EOE Statement: The Center for Policing Equity strives to build a diverse team that is inclusive of multiple perspectives and welcoming for people of all backgrounds. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. CPE strongly supports second-chance hiring, which means we strongly encourage applications from people with experiences with the criminal legal system, including incarceration, conviction, charges, or arrest.