Center Director of Research

Founded in 1961, the Vera Institute of Justice combines expertise in research, technical assistance, and demonstration projects to help leaders in government and civil society improve the systems people rely on for justice and safety. Vera’s centers, programs, and departments cover a full range of justice issues and serve diverse and vulnerable populations.

Center Description
Vera’s Center on Sentencing and Corrections (CSC) works with government leaders to advance criminal justice policies that promote fairness, protect public safety, and ensure that resources are used efficiently. A key service of CSC is data analysis that helps government officials diagnose problems, evaluate policies and programs, and contribute to the field’s larger base of empirical knowledge. CSC researchers employ a broad range of quantitative and qualitative methodologies. Center research is funded by a mix of government and foundation sources.

Responsibilities
The center’s director of research is responsible for all aspects of the Center’s research agenda development, applications, administration, and support. The center director of research is responsible for supervising the work of the Center’s research staff, and assisting them in their professional development.

In close collaboration with the center director, the center director of research will set the Center’s research agenda and plan and build research projects around the Center’s core areas of work. This requires knowledge of potential funding sources, the ability to communicate with funders, a willingness to work on projects that involve basic and applied research, the capacity to work collaboratively with program staff, and the ability to implement new projects. Specific responsibilities include:
• Planning, managing, and overseeing Center research projects
• Providing analytical support to the Center’s projects
• Developing research proposals and securing funding for them
• Managing the team of Center researchers
• Recruiting new research staff when necessary
• Managing research budgets
• Collaborating with government and community partners
• Preparing and editing reports and publications
• Assisting the center director in the overall management of the Center.

Qualifications
• PhD in a social science required
• At least five years of experience designing and carrying out research projects
• Experience being the principal investigator on research projects desired
• Experience supervising and managing multiple projects employing a range of social science methods
• Experience managing and supervising projects that involve research with human subjects
• Experience developing and writing research projects and preparing grant applications
• Proven ability to identify and develop research program areas
• Experience managing budgets and negotiating contracts
• Prior history of funded research
• Excellent writing and editing skills and ability to write for a policy audience
• Excellent presentation and communication skills
• Ability to work with a range of stakeholders, including staff at nonprofit community organizations, legal service providers, expert researchers, and high-level government employees
• Willingness to travel
• Experience managing staff.

Finalists for this position will be required to give a presentation on their original research to Center and research staff.

Salary
Commensurate with experience. Excellent benefits.

How to Apply
Submit cover letter and resume.

Online submission is preferred.

However, if necessary, materials may be mailed or faxed to:
ATTN: Human Resources / CSC Center Research Director
Vera Institute of Justice
233 Broadway, 12th Fl
New York, NY 10279
Fax: (212) 941-9407

Please use only one method of submission (online, mail or fax).
No phone calls, please. Only applicants selected for interviews will be contacted.

The Vera Institute of Justice values diversity and is an equal opportunity employer.

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