Research Scholar for Migration, Trafficking, and Organized Crime

Details•San Diego, CA

12d•Onsite

About The Position

The Kroc School of Peace Studies trains changemakers and peacebuilders. As the first stand-alone school of peace in the United States, Kroc emphasizes innovation in learning and programs, combining theory and practice to address urgent global challenges. This position focuses on developing and advancing the Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice’s emerging portfolio on migration, trafficking, and organized crime, particularly in the U.S.–Mexico border region and comparable transnational contexts. The role is for an entrepreneurial scholar-practitioner to shape applied research, teaching, program development, and public engagement. The Researcher will integrate academic, practitioner, and policy perspectives to generate actionable knowledge, support student learning, and build institutional capacity.

Requirements

Master’s degree in a relevant field such as peace and conflict studies, international relations, law, public policy, human rights, migration studies, criminology, sociology, political science, or security studies.
At least three (3) years of relevant professional, research, policy, or higher-education experience in one or more of the following areas: migration, trafficking, organized crime, border governance, political violence, public security, illicit economies, postconflict violence, or related justice and governance issues.
Demonstrated record of producing high-quality applied research, policy analysis, public scholarship, or learning products that inform practice, policy, or public understanding.
Experience engaging with academic, governmental, intergovernmental, or civil society partners on issues related to violence, justice, migration, trafficking, security, or governance.
Strong analytical, communication, and organizational skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across academic, policy, and practitioner communities.
Ability to integrate applied research, teaching, public engagement, and program development in ways that inform real-world policy and practice.
Strong analytical and writing skills, including the ability to translate rigorous empirical research and complex ideas into accessible formats for varied academic, policy, practitioner, and public audiences.
Demonstrated ability to collaborate across academic, practitioner, policy, and community settings.
Skill in helping build a focused area of institutional work from an emerging or transitional foundation.
Proven ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and exercise sound professional judgment.
Commitment to evidence-based, impact-oriented approaches that advance peace, justice, and human dignity.

Nice To Haves

Terminal degree (PhD, JD, or equivalent) in a relevant field, or significant, sustained professional practice at a senior level in migration policy, organized crime, human rights, border governance, public security, or related areas.
Four or more years of relevant experience.
Demonstrated record of applied, policy-relevant research or practice addressing migration, trafficking, organized crime, political violence, border insecurity, or cross-border governance.
Experience teaching graduate-level courses.
Ability to contribute flexibly to adjacent Institute priorities, including student practice-based learning and applied monitoring, evaluation, learning, mixed-methods research, or evidence-based program assessment.
Experience in program development or helping build new areas of institutional work within higher education, government, or international organizations.
Experience developing or contributing to funded initiatives, collaborative research, or multi-partner projects.
Familiarity with the U.S.–Mexico border region and related policy, justice, and security dynamics.
Fluency in Spanish.

Responsibilities

Develops and advances the Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice’s emerging portfolio on migration, trafficking, and organized crime.
Integrates academic, practitioner, and policy perspectives to generate actionable knowledge, support student learning, and build a stronger institutional platform.
Teaches one elective course related to migration, trafficking, organized crime, political violence, border insecurity, or a closely related area per academic year.
Contributes to applied research and public-facing outputs.
Collaborates with the Institute’s Associate Director of Strategic Development and Grant Management and research leadership to pursue external funding.
Helps cultivate a programmatic framework to deepen and organize the Institute’s work in this area.
Contributes to the Institute’s intellectual life, supports convenings and dialogues, and represents the Institute in public forums.
Conducts and disseminates applied research, policy briefs, and public-facing outputs.
Collaborates with faculty, staff, practitioners, and external partners to produce co-authored publications and other outputs.
Presents work at Kroc Pot, public events, conferences, and other relevant forums.
Works closely with the Institute’s Associate Director for Strategic Development and Grant Management and Director for Research and Monitoring to identify and pursue external funding opportunities.
Leads the conceptual development of grant-funded initiatives, including research, programmatic, and partnership components.
Helps build the institutional foundation for sustained work in this area by identifying strategic opportunities for growth, collaboration, and external support.
Cultivates relationships with NGOs, community organizations, universities, government actors, and practitioners working on migration, trafficking, organized crime, border dynamics, transnational violence, or related themes.
Mentors students engaged in applied research, practice-oriented work, or project-based learning connected to this portfolio.
Performs other duties as assigned by the Executive Director.