The Principal Researcher in Child Welfare will lead business pursuits related to federal, state, and local child welfare policy and program research and evaluation. We seek a dynamic business development leader contributing to the expansion and management of a robust portfolio of contract and grant-funded policy, research and evaluation projects in child welfare. Areas of expertise by the candidate may include child welfare data system integration, cross-system data use, adoption, permanency, kinship care, foster parents, prevention, and other child welfare content, program, or policy areas. The chosen candidate will be a leader in AIR’s Children and Families portfolio of business pursuits and projects, which also includes early childhood education and care, and maternal and child health. The candidate will be proactively thinking ahead about opportunities. The candidate will have content, technical and management expertise, with the ability to build and nurture relationships with clients and leaders in the child welfare field. 

This position has the flexibility to work remotely within the United States (U.S.) or from one of AIR’s 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 the position include

Qualifications:

Education, Knowledge, and Experience 

• Doctoral degree in child development, developmental psychology, human development, education, public or social policy, economics, social welfare or a related field, with  minimum of 7 years of relevant work experience managing and conducting research, or Master’s degree and at least 11 years of relevant experience. 
• 10 or more years of project leadership experience, including proposal writing, project management, staff supervision, report writing, and external relationship management. 
• National and positive reputation for expertise in child welfare and well-connected in the field. 
• Knowledge of family supports, social services and/or early childhood research. 
• Proven record of accomplishment leading proposals and winning competitive contracts/grants from various funding organizations (e.g., Federal, state, and local government; foundations). 
• Familiarity with federal and state procurement and contract opportunities. 
• Experience effectively leading and mentoring diverse teams working on research-focused projects and/or tasks within large/complex projects, including team oriented to ensure project excellence, timeliness, and on-budget execution. 

Skills 

• Strong quantitative, qualitative, or mixed-method design and analysis skills to serve as a senior team leader on proposals and projects. 
• Demonstrated strong writing skills to effectively communicate findings and policy implications from technical research for policymakers and practitioners.
• Demonstrated clear oral communication skills, including the capacity to collaborate professionally with clients, federal or foundation project officers, implementing partners, consultants, program leadership staff, and other stakeholders.
• Proven ability to develop staff capacity in research and evaluation design and methods, project management, client relationships, research publication and business development. 
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines independently while contributing to a collaborative team environment. 
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with attention to accuracy and research best practices. 

Disclosures: Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the U.S. on a full-time basis. Employment-based visa sponsorship (including H-1B sponsorship) is not available for this position. Depending on project work, qualified candidates may need to meet certain residency requirements.

American Institutes for Research is an equal employment opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without discrimination on the basis of age, race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability. AIR adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo reference and background checks. AIR maintains a drug-free work environment. 

ACCESSIBILITY NOTICE: If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process due to a physical or mental disability, please send an email to Taliba Boone at tboone@air.orgor call 202.403.5000.

Fraudulent Job Scams Warning & Disclaimer: AIR is aware of individuals falsely presenting themselves as AIR representatives. Fraudulent job scams seek to extract sensitive information or money from victims. To protect yourself, please be aware that AIR recruitment will only email you from an “@air.org” domain. Please take extra caution while examining the email address, for example jdoe@air.org is correct and jdoe@aircareers.org is not a legitimate AIR email address. If you are unsure of the legitimacy of a communication you have received, please reach out torecruitment@air.org. If you see a job scam, or lose money to one, report it to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) atReportFraud.ftc.gov. You can also report it to your state attorney general. Find out more about how to avoid scams atftc.gov/scams.

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AIR is seeking a Senior Researcher to join the Human and Community Development program to contribute to research and evaluation projects that seek to inform and improve community wellbeing. The Senior Researcher will lead and execute mixed-method research and evaluation projects end to end—designing studies, managing teams and budgets, overseeing data collection and analysis, developing proposals, and communicating actionable findings to the field while serving as a trusted partner to clients and collaborators. The ideal candidate will bring methodological and subject matter expertise that will advance efforts to understand and improve health outcomes in rural communities. 

The Senior Researcher will join AIR’s Human and Community Development Program, which generates evidence-informed solutions and fosters cross-sector collaboration in justice, child and youth development, family well-being, and community health to facilitate safe, healthy, informed, and thriving communities and improve the systems that serve them. 

This position has the flexibility to work remotely within the United States (U.S.) or from one of AIR’s 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:

• Manage day-to-day project operations in roles such as principal investigator, project director, or task lead.
• Lead collaborative project teams by developing timelines, coordinating staff assignments, and ensuring deliverables are completed on time, within budget, and to a high standard.
• Identify research problems and design studies to address key questions in applied research contexts.
• Apply subject-matter expertise to design and implement relevant, responsive, and impactful research projects.
• Develop study designs with aligned research questions, methodologies, and analytic plans.
• Lead and contribute to research proposals for federal, state, foundation, and other clients.
• Devise and implement innovative solutions to practical challenges in applied research.
• Lead data collection and analysis efforts.
• Oversee the design and planning of qualitative and/or quantitative data collection tools, such as interview protocols, focus group guides, and surveys.
• Supervise field-based data collection activities, including interviews, observations, focus groups, and document reviews.
• Conduct or oversee data analysis using appropriate tools and techniques for various data types.
• Communicate study progress and findings clearly and effectively.
• Prepare reports, briefs, visualizations, and other materials that interpret and present research findings for clients and stakeholders.
• Represent the organization professionally in all client interactions.
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with clients, partners, and stakeholders.
• Foster and maintain positive, collaborative working relationships.
• Manage client and stakeholder relationships with professionalism and awareness of the broader policy and practice landscape.
• Contribute thoughtfully and creatively to project teams.

Qualifications:

Education, Knowledge, and Experience

• PhD in related subject area (e.g., Sociology, Psychology, Anthropology, Public Policy, or related field) with 3+ years of relevant experience or Master’s degree with 7+ years of relevant experience.
• Experience conducting research and/or evaluation in rural health settings, with attention to locally driven solutions and rural community assets.
• Firm understanding of implementation science.
• Ability to take big ideas and develop work plans and timelines.
• Experience at contract research and/or evaluation organization(s).
• Experience with data collection methodologies (including but not limited to structured interviews, observations, survey research) and analysis activities (including but not limited to experience with quantitative and/or qualitative analytic software packages [such as STATA, R, EXCEL, NViVO, and Access]).
• Experience managing project and/or task teams on research and evaluation projects.
• Experience building and maintaining client and partner relationships.
• Experience with business pursuit (e.g., grant and proposal writing).

Skills

• Strong organizational and interpersonal skills including strong communication skills with the ability to produce concise, high-level summaries and briefings.
• Strong negotiator and communicator, with excellent client management skills.
• Strong presentation, professional development delivery, and facilitation skills.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy when writing. 
• Can collaborate effectively in a virtual work environment. 

Disclosures: Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the U.S. on a full-time basis. Employment-based visa sponsorship (including H-1B sponsorship) is not available for this position. Depending on project work, qualified candidates may need to meet certain residency requirements.

American Institutes for Research is an equal employment opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without discrimination on the basis of age, race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability. AIR adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo reference and background checks. AIR maintains a drug-free work environment. 

ACCESSIBILITY NOTICE: If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process due to a physical or mental disability, please send an email to Taliba Boone at tboone@air.orgor call 202.403.5000.

Fraudulent Job Scams Warning & Disclaimer: AIR is aware of individuals falsely presenting themselves as AIR representatives. Fraudulent job scams seek to extract sensitive information or money from victims. To protect yourself, please be aware that AIR recruitment will only email you from an “@air.org” domain. Please take extra caution while examining the email address, for example jdoe@air.org is correct and jdoe@aircareers.org is not a legitimate AIR email address. If you are unsure of the legitimacy of a communication you have received, please reach out torecruitment@air.org. If you see a job scam, or lose money to one, report it to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) atReportFraud.ftc.gov. You can also report it to your state attorney general. Find out more about how to avoid scams atftc.gov/scams.

#LI-AS1 #LI-REMOTE

AIR is seeking a Principal Communications Specialist to join the Human and Community Development program to strategically guide teams dedicated to effectively communicating messages that promote healthy, thriving communities. This role combines communications strategy, public health knowledge, and contract delivery expertise to ensure effective communications products and campaigns. The Principal Communications Specialist will oversee a portfolio of public health communications projects that serve a range of clients including federal, state, and local government agencies. The Principal Communications Specialist will contribute to business development in existing and emerging markets through cultivating partnerships with external organizations and subject matter experts and leading teams in proposing solutions that respond to client needs.

The Principal Communications Specialist will join AIR’s Human and Community Development Program, which generates evidence-informed solutions and fosters cross-sector collaboration in justice, child and youth development, family well-being, and community health to facilitate safe, healthy, informed, and thriving communities and improve the systems that serve them.

This position has the flexibility to work remotely within the United States (U.S.) or from one of AIR’s 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 the position include:

• Oversee a portfolio of public health communications projects that serve a range of clients. 
• Lead, mentor, and support a multidisciplinary communications team, fostering professional growth, collaboration, and high‑quality deliverables across projects.
• Lead business development strategy and execution for communications work in existing and emerging markets.
• Build and maintain partnerships with external organizations and subject matter experts to maximize the impact and reach of our public health communications work. 

Qualifications:

Education, Knowledge, and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, or a related field; Master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum of 12 years of experience in strategic communications with a strong track record of leading multi-channel campaigns and advising senior leaders.
• Proven experience managing a portfolio of external communications projects and overseeing multi-channel campaigns, including for federal clients.  
• Experience in a shared services or consulting environment is essential. 
• Experience identifying and cultivating partnerships to support business development efforts.

Skills

• Visionary leadership and strategic thinking in public health communications and public engagement.
• Exceptional business development strategy and proposal development skills. 
• Excellent time management skills and ability to handle multiple projects involving numerous changes simultaneously. 
• Exceptional writing and editing skills across technical, creative, and promotional formats. 
• Expertise in social media strategy, analytics, and platform management. 
• Proficiency in tools such as Google Analytics, Drupal, and design software (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite). 

Disclosures: Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the U.S. on a full-time basis. Employment-based visa sponsorship (including H-1B sponsorship) is not available for this position. Depending on project work, qualified candidates may need to meet certain residency requirements.

American Institutes for Research is an equal employment opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without discrimination on the basis of age, race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability. AIR adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo reference and background checks. AIR maintains a drug-free work environment. 

ACCESSIBILITY NOTICE: If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process due to a physical or mental disability, please send an email to Taliba Boone at tboone@air.orgor call 202.403.5000.

Fraudulent Job Scams Warning & Disclaimer: AIR is aware of individuals falsely presenting themselves as AIR representatives. Fraudulent job scams seek to extract sensitive information or money from victims. To protect yourself, please be aware that AIR recruitment will only email you from an “@air.org” domain. Please take extra caution while examining the email address, for example jdoe@air.org is correct and jdoe@aircareers.org is not a legitimate AIR email address. If you are unsure of the legitimacy of a communication you have received, please reach out torecruitment@air.org. If you see a job scam, or lose money to one, report it to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) atReportFraud.ftc.gov. You can also report it to your state attorney general. Find out more about how to avoid scams atftc.gov/scams.

#LI-AS1 #LI-REMOTE

AIR is seeking a Senior Communications Specialist to join the Human and Community Development program to lead project teams dedicated to effectively communicating messages that promote healthy, thriving communities. The Senior Communications Specialist will oversee public health communications projects and tasks in collaboration with clients including federal, state, and local government agencies. This role is delivery-focused, translating public health and scientific information into clear, accurate, and accessible communications products. Projects will span communications planning, implementation and evaluation as well as the provision of communications technical assistance to clients and the field.

The Senior Communications Specialist will join AIR’s Human and Community Development Program, which generates evidence-informed solutions and fosters cross-sector collaboration in justice, child and youth development, family well-being, and community health to facilitate safe, healthy, informed, and thriving communities and improve the systems that serve them.

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 the position include:

• Lead the development and execution of strategic communications plans that align with client goals and AIR’s mission. 
• Oversee the creation and dissemination of high-quality content across digital platforms, publications, and media outlets. 
• Guide messaging strategy and editorial direction for complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives. 
• Manage cross-functional teams and workflows to ensure timely delivery of communications products. 
• Conduct audience research and apply insights to optimize engagement and accessibility. 
• Analyze performance metrics across channels (e.g., social media, web, email) and use data to refine strategies. 
• Serve as a senior advisor to clients and internal teams on communications best practices, branding, and outreach. 
• Lead proposal development efforts related to communications strategy, budgeting, and staffing. 
• Ensure compliance with accessibility standards and AIR’s style and brand guidelines. 
• Mentor junior communications staff and contribute to professional development initiatives. 

Qualifications:

Education, Knowledge, and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, or a related field, with 8+ years of experience in strategic communications. 
• Master’s degree preferred, but not required. 
• Proven experience managing communications for external clients and leading multi-channel campaigns. 
• Experience in a shared services or consulting environment is preferred, but not required.

Skills

• Advanced project management skills, including budgeting, scheduling, and team coordination. 
• Excellent time management skills and ability to handle multiple projects involving numerous changes simultaneously. 
• Exceptional writing and editing skills across technical, creative, and promotional formats. 
• Expertise in social media strategy, analytics, and platform management. 
• Proficiency in tools such as Google Analytics, Drupal, and design software (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite). 
• Strong leadership and stakeholder engagement abilities. 
• Experience with business development strategy and proposal development.

Disclosures: Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the U.S. on a full-time basis. Employment-based visa sponsorship (including H-1B sponsorship) is not available for this position. Depending on project work, qualified candidates may need to meet certain residency requirements.

American Institutes for Research is an equal employment opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without discrimination on the basis of age, race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability. AIR adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo reference and background checks. AIR maintains a drug-free work environment. 

ACCESSIBILITY NOTICE: If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process due to a physical or mental disability, please send an email to Taliba Boone at tboone@air.orgor call 202.403.5000.

Fraudulent Job Scams Warning & Disclaimer: AIR is aware of individuals falsely presenting themselves as AIR representatives. Fraudulent job scams seek to extract sensitive information or money from victims. To protect yourself, please be aware that AIR recruitment will only email you from an “@air.org” domain. Please take extra caution while examining the email address, for example jdoe@air.org is correct and jdoe@aircareers.org is not a legitimate AIR email address. If you are unsure of the legitimacy of a communication you have received, please reach out torecruitment@air.org. If you see a job scam, or lose money to one, report it to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) atReportFraud.ftc.gov. You can also report it to your state attorney general. Find out more about how to avoid scams atftc.gov/scams.

#LI-AS1 #LI-REMOTE

AIR seeks a Senior Researcher for the Human and Community Development program to advance evidence and practice related to suicide prevention in the military, law enforcement, and community with an understanding on broad safety and justice systems. This position will focus on prevention science with emphasis on preventing violence and other forms of harmful behaviors. The Senior Researcher will lead and/or manage complex research and evaluation efforts; collaborate with internal and external partners, including federal, state, and local agencies; and contribute to strategic visioning that strengthens suicide prevention and safety outcomes, and provide mentorship and guidance to teams. This position will also provide oversight on data collection, management, analysis, and visualization for contract and grant research and evaluation projects. The ideal candidate is committed to building out our prevention portfolio, particularly in suicide prevention, and taking a strengths-based perspective. We are especially interested in candidates that have direct experience with suicide prevention, preferably in the military, law enforcement, and justice system context, and who have strong project and people management skills.

Related projects aim to use prevention science to focus around one or more areas, including but not limited to: 

Content areas:

• Suicide prevention
• Public health approach to primary prevention of violence, such as
• community violence
• youth violence
• intimate partner and sexual violence
• child maltreatment and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs)
• Military communities, readiness, and resilience
• Systems change, including organizational and culture change in community-serving systems and in the military
• Public health workforce competencies and career pipelines
• Data visualization and dissemination

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 the position include:

Project & Portfolio Leadership

• Manage large, complex research projects or a portfolio of smaller studies, ensuring alignment with client expectations and organizational priorities.
• Oversee project planning, design, and implementation, including development of methods, procedures, timelines, and reporting structures.
• Anticipate project risks and develop mitigation strategies to ensure timely, high‑quality deliverables.
• Ensure compliance with ethical standards, IRB requirements, and data governance policies.

Methodological & Technical Expertise

• Serve as a methodological authority, advising teams on advanced quantitative, qualitative, and mixed‑methods approaches.
• Develop conceptual frameworks and innovative research methodologies that advance understanding of prevention and evaluation topics.
• 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.

Strategic & Organizational Contribution

• Contribute to organizational strategy by identifying emerging research needs, funding trends, and opportunities for innovation in public health and prevention science.
• Represent the organization in national working groups, advisory panels, and technical expert meetings.
• Lead internal capacity‑building efforts through trainings, workshops, and knowledge‑sharing initiatives.

Client, Partner & Stakeholder Engagement

• Communicate effectively—both orally and in writing—with clients, partners, funders, and other key stakeholders.
• Translate complex research findings 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.
• Curate external relationships by engaging thought leaders, innovators, and implementation partners across the public health arena.

Dissemination & Field Leadership

• Serve as a subject‑matter expert and disseminate findings through peer‑reviewed publications, technical reports, policy briefs, and presentations at conferences and seminars.
• Strengthen the organization’s visibility and influence within the public health and prevention research communities.

Proposal Development & Business Growth

• Lead and contribute to research proposals for federal, state, foundation, and other client opportunities.
• 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.

Team Leadership & Mentorship

• Manage and mentor staff to build prevention expertise, strengthen technical capacity, and support professional growth.
• 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 related subject area (e.g., Sociology, Psychology, Anthropology, Public Policy, or related field) with 3+ years of relevant experience or Master’s degree with 7+ years of relevant experience.
• Firm understanding of implementation science.
• Ability to take big ideas and develop work plans and timelines.
• Experience at contract research and/or evaluation organization(s).
• Experience with data collection methodologies (including but not limited to structured interviews, observations, survey research) and analysis activities (including but not limited to experience with quantitative and/or qualitative analytic software packages such as STATA, R, Excel,
  NVivo
  , and Access).
• Experience managing project and/or task teams on research and evaluation projects.
• Experience building and maintaining client and partner relationships.
• Experience with business pursuit (e.g., grant and proposal writing).

 Skills

• Strong organizational and interpersonal skills including strong communication skills with the ability to produce concise, high-level summaries and briefings.
• Strong negotiator and communicator, with excellent client management skills.
• Strong presentation, professional development delivery, and facilitation skills.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy when writing. 
• Can collaborate effectively in a virtual work environment. 

Disclosures: Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the U.S. on a full-time basis. Employment-based visa sponsorship (including H-1B sponsorship) is not available for this position. Depending on project work, qualified candidates may need to meet certain residency requirements.

American Institutes for Research is an equal employment opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without discrimination on the basis of age, race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability. AIR adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo reference and background checks. AIR maintains a drug-free work environment. 

ACCESSIBILITY NOTICE: If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process due to a physical or mental disability, please send an email to Taliba Boone at tboone@air.orgor call 202.403.5000.

Fraudulent Job Scams Warning & Disclaimer: AIR is aware of individuals falsely presenting themselves as AIR representatives. Fraudulent job scams seek to extract sensitive information or money from victims. To protect yourself, please be aware that AIR recruitment will only email you from an “@air.org” domain. Please take extra caution while examining the email address, for example jdoe@air.org is correct and jdoe@aircareers.org is not a legitimate AIR email address. If you are unsure of the legitimacy of a communication you have received, please reach out torecruitment@air.org. If you see a job scam, or lose money to one, report it to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) atReportFraud.ftc.gov. You can also report it to your state attorney general. Find out more about how to avoid scams atftc.gov/scams.

#LI-AS1 #LI-REMOTE