Senior Researcher, Community Safety & Violence Prevention
American Institutes for Research
| Company | American Institutes for Research |
| Category | Science & Research |
| Location | US-Remote |
| Remote | Remote |
| Employment | Not stated |
| Level | Senior |
| Salary | Not stated by the employer |
| Posted | 18 Jun 2026 |
| Last verified | 9 Aug 2026 |
| Source | Employer ATS (greenhouse) |
Description
AIR seeks a Senior Researcher for the Human and Community Development program to lead research, evaluation, and strategic growth related to community safety. This role advances evidence and practice on broad community- and systems-based approaches to preventing and reducing violence and enhancing community safety. This includes community and hospital-based violence intervention, alternative response approaches, and law enforcement-based strategies, all with an emphasis on prevention science. The Senior Researcher will lead complex studies and evaluations; collaborate with federal, state, local, and community partners; contribute to portfolio strategy and business development; and mentor staff. The ideal candidate brings deep subject-matter expertise in community safety and violence prevention; strong project and people management skills; an understanding of rigorous and varied, mixed methods approaches to building evidence; and a commitment to strengths-based, community-informed research and practice.
Candidates hired for the position may work remotely within the United States (U.S.) or from one of our U.S. office locations . This does not include U.S. territories.
About AIR:
Founded in 1946 and headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, the American Institutes for Research (AIR) is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization that conducts behavioral and social science research and delivers technical assistance to address some of the most pressing challenges in the United States and globally. We generate evidence and apply data-driven solutions that expand opportunities and improve lives for all.
Responsibilities:
The responsibilities for this position include:
Project Leadership
Manage large, complex research and evaluation projects focused on community safety, violence prevention, and related systems-change efforts.
Anticipate project risks and develop mitigation strategies to ensure timely, high quality deliverables.
Ensure compliance with ethical standards, IRB requirements, and data governance policies.
Business Development
Lead and contribute to proposals and capture efforts for federal, state, local, foundation, and other client opportunities related to community safety.
Develop competitive proposal strategies, including conceptual design, methodological plans, staffing, and budgets.
Identify new business opportunities and cultivate partnerships that advance the organization’s mission.
Technical Expertise
Serve as a senior methodological leader, advising teams on rigorous quantitative and/or qualitative approaches.
Lead the review, analysis, synthesis, and visualization of data using appropriate practices and techniques.
Ensure data integrity, reproducibility, and strong documentation across all analytic workflows.
Stakeholder Engagement
Translate complex research findings—both orally and in writing—into actionable insights tailored to policymakers, practitioners, and community partners.
Manage client and stakeholder relationships with professionalism and awareness of the broader policy and practice landscape.
Cultivate external relationships with researchers, practitioners, community partners, and other leaders working across the community safety and prevention landscape.
Team Leadership
Manage and mentor staff to build technical capacity in community safety, prevention science, research design, and client service.
Provide thought partnership and coaching to mid level researchers on research design, analysis, and dissemination.
Model inclusive leadership practices and foster a collaborative team environment.
Qualifications:
Education, Knowledge, and Experience
PhD in criminology, sociology, psychology, public health, public policy, social work, ant