Academic Research Program Director

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Overview

Provides strategic, academic, and operational leadership for the Yale Racial Liberation Lab in partnership with the Principal Investigator. Serves as the senior strategic advisor responsible for developing the infrastructure, systems, collaborations, and programmatic initiatives necessary to advance a nationally recognized research enterprise. Leads research planning, academic partnerships, scholarly communications, student engagement, and administrative operations that support the production and dissemination of rigorous, high-impact social science research.

This position serves as the Principal Investigator's primary strategic and operational partner, translating the Lab's academic vision into sustainable programs and measurable outcomes. The incumbent develops research infrastructure, coordinates interdisciplinary collaborations, oversees research readiness activities, supervises research personnel, cultivates academic partnerships, supports publication planning, and strengthens the Lab's visibility across Yale and nationally. This position combines executive-level program leadership with deep familiarity with empirical social science research and higher education.

1. Partner with the Principal Investigator to develop and implement the Lab's long-term academic, research, and strategic priorities.

2. Design, implement, and continuously improve research systems and infrastructure that support the timely production of high-quality scholarship.

3. Build and oversee research pipelines from concept development through publication, ensuring appropriate planning, coordination, and execution.

4. Identify, evaluate, organize, and synthesize theoretical frameworks and scholarly literature supporting current and future research initiatives.

5. Develop and maintain searchable repositories of scholarly literature, research resources, and emerging developments relevant to the Lab's mission.

6. Lead efforts to identify, evaluate, and coordinate secondary datasets and other research resources; collaborate with quantitative researchers to assess data quality and research readiness.

7. Develop timelines and processes for obtaining, licensing, managing, and maintaining research data resources.

8. Cultivate collaborative relationships with Yale faculty, research centers, external universities, policymakers, nonprofit organizations, and community partners to expand the Lab's scholarly impact.

9. Develop opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration, visiting scholars, conferences, workshops, seminars, and public programming.

10. Supervise research staff, project personnel, undergraduate research assistants, graduate students, and other contributors while fostering professional growth and accountability.

11. Support publication planning, conference presentations, invited lectures, scholarly exchanges, and other dissemination activities that enhance the Lab's national visibility.

12. Provide leadership for grant development, sponsored research opportunities, research administration, compliance, IRB coordination, and stewardship of externally funded projects.

13. Represent the Principal Investigator in meetings and collaborative initiatives, serving as a key liaison with internal and external stakeholders.

14. Assist with budget planning, operational planning, performance metrics, and resource allocation supporting the continued growth of the Lab.

15. Perform other duties as assigned.

Required

Skills and Abilities

1. Demonstrated commitment to advancing rigorous social science research and scholarship. Ability to translate a broad intellectual vision into actionable research plans, systems, and priorities. Strong strategic thinking and exceptional organizational skills.

2. Advanced project management and operational leadership capabilities. Ability to manage multiple priorities…