Research Director

Center for Democracy & Technology • Washington, DC

1d • $135,000 - $165,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Center for Democracy & Technology (CDT) is seeking a senior-level Director to lead its quantitative and qualitative research both internally and in partnership with academic and other institutions. The Director will set research priorities in consultation with CDT leadership, conduct, guide, and collaborate on original empirical research, build and contribute to collaborative research networks, and communicate research findings through written reports, papers and presentations to key stakeholders. CDT conducts research to inform and support its policy advocacy, which addresses the many ways in which technology impacts people’s rights and democracy in the digital age. Although the Research Director will support research initiatives across all the subjects on which CDT works, a particular focus will be on research to inform effective, evidence-based, rights-respecting trust and safety practices and related policy considerations for generative AI, social media services, and other platforms hosting user-generated content. The Director also will work with CDT’s development team to secure new research grants. You can learn more about the Research team and CDT’s research work at https://cdt.org/cdtresearch/ . About CDT CDT is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that works to advance civil rights and civil liberties in the digital age. We champion policies, laws, and technical designs that empower people to use technology for good, while protecting against invasive, discriminatory, and exploitative uses. CDT was founded in Washington, D.C. in 1994 and has operated a second office, in Brussels, since 2014. CDT works to protect people’s rights across a range of technology uses and applications, with a focus on privacy and data (including specific projects on health privacy , workers rights & technology , and disability rights & technology ), AI policy and governance , free expression/platform governance , government surveillance , elections & democracy , civic technology & education , and competition . We engage policymakers in the U.S. and the European Union, advocate for companies to adopt best practices, represent the public interest in multistakeholder processes and standards bodies, file amicus briefs in court, conduct original research , and raise public awareness about how technology design and governance impact people’s rights and our democracy. We collaborate with a wide range of civil society partners, academic researchers and industry experts. Read more at https://cdt.org .

Requirements

• Advanced degree (Doctorate preferred).
• 8+ years of experience with empirical research efforts, both qualitative and quantitative, with preference for experience with trust and safety issues.
• 3+ years of leadership and project management experience, including with other researchers.
• Proficiency in analysis of quantitative and qualitative data, empirical research methods, and/or experimental research design.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including experience writing papers or reports conveying research results.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex projects.
• Ability to work independently.
• An energetic, entrepreneurial, and collaborative working style.
• A deep commitment to CDT’s mission and values.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in successful fundraising for research projects (preferred).
• Access to a network of potential academic and research collaborators and relationships with relevant academic communities

Responsibilities

• In collaboration with management and policy teams, lead CDT’s research activities, including setting research strategy and priorities; conducting, managing, and guiding original empirical research projects; and managing any research fellows and staff. Research topics will have a particular focus on trust and safety for generative AI, social media services, and other platforms hosting user-generated content.
• Write and edit public-facing research reports and papers, including for academic audiences when appropriate.
• Collaborate with the communications team to disseminate research findings and products to key stakeholders and media.
• Identify and engage with external research partners at academic and other institutions, including by managing CDT’s Non-Resident Fellows program .
• Collaborate with the development team to identify research grant opportunities, draft grant proposals, and secure grants, as well as grant reporting, metrics, and funder relationship management.
• Represent CDT at research and other conferences and meetings.

Benefits

• CDT provides a generous benefits package that includes health care and dental coverage for employees and dependents, a retirement plan, paid vacation, sick days, and parental leave.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree