Position DetailsPosition Information
Posting date 11/09/2026
Closing dateOpen Until Filled Yes
Position Number 1129696
Position Title Research Director
Hiring Range Minimum $87,700
Hiring Range Maximum $109,600
Union Type Not a Union Position
SEIU Level Not an SEIU Position
FLSA Status Exempt
Employment Category Regular Full Time w/end date
Scheduled Months per Year 12
Scheduled Hours per Week 40
ScheduleLocation of Position Hanover, NH
Remote Work Eligibility? Onsite only
Is this a term position? Yes
If yes, length of term in months. 12
Is this a grant funded position? Yes
Position Purpose The Research Director manages the lab's research programs function, providing professional leadership for research operations, staff development, and scientific excellence. This person will oversee the lab's research pipeline from developing new research projects and survey instruments through data analysis and writing, and will manage and mentor our postdoctoral and predoctoral researchers, ensuring the team runs smoothly and produces rigorous, timely work. We're looking for a strong quantitative researcher, a clear writer, and a good collaborator.
Description The Polarization Research Lab (PRL), led by Associate Professor of Government Sean Westwood, is seeking a Research Director. PRL is a cross-university social science research lab founded in 2022. Our work examines democratic attitudes, political trust, elite rhetoric, and governance. We combine rigorous survey research, experimental methods, and public engagement to produce findings that inform scholars, policymakers, journalists, and the public.
The Research Director manages the lab's research programs function, providing professional leadership for research operations, staff development, and scientific excellence. This person will oversee the lab's research pipeline from developing new research projects and survey instruments through data analysis and writing, and will manage and mentor our postdoctoral and predoctoral researchers, ensuring the team runs smoothly and produces rigorous, timely work.
We're looking for a strong quantitative researcher, a clear writer, and a good collaborator.
Required Qualifications - Education and Yrs Exp PhD plus 3-5 years' experience or equivalent combination of education and experience
Required Qualifications - Skills, Knowledge and Abilities - Ph.D. required, in Political Science, Economics, Statistics, or Computer Science.
- Advanced statistical and AI skills; substantial experience with writing code.
- Strong writing experience, with a preference for a track record of peer-reviewed journal articles.
- 5+ years of research management experience, including managing complex research projects.
- A collaborative, team-oriented approach, with the ability to support and mentor junior researchers.
Preferred Qualifications - Experience managing research programs at a major research university.
- Experience managing or mentoring postdocs or predocs.
- Experience with large-scale surveys or panel studies.
- Experience with research budgets, grant compliance, and sponsor reporting.
- Track record of peer-reviewed publications.
Department Contact for Recruitment Inquiries Sean Westwood
Department Contact Phone Number Sean.J.Westwood@dartmouth.edu
Department Contact for Cover Letter and Title Sean Westwood, Associate Professor of Government
Department Contact's Phone Number Sean.J.Westwood@dartmouth.edu
Special Instructions to Applicants This position is funded by a grant. Continuation is based upon available funds.
This position is a 12-month term position.
Additional Instructions Applicants will be asked to respond to three supplemental questions regarding years of direct experience, indirect experience, and people management experience. Responses will be reviewed alongside application materials. Your response will be cross-referenced with your application materials to verify accuracy and, for finalists, to inform salary placement.
Please ensure your resume and work history clearly reflect the full scope of your work, including position titles, employment dates, responsibilities, and supervisory duties. Incomplete or inconsistent information may affect how your experience is evaluated.
Quick Link https://searchjobs.dartmouth.edu/postings/87822
Key Accountabilities
Description Manage the Polarization Research Lab's research programs and project portfolio, overseeing research operations, scientific quality, and staff development across the lab's work on democratic attitudes, political trust, elite rhetoric, and governance.
- Develop research questions and study designs.
- Design survey instruments and oversee data collection, ensuring methodological rigor.
- Conduct and oversee quantitative analysis of survey and experimental data, including writing and checking code.
- Write up findings for peer-reviewed publications, reports, and public-facing summaries.
Percentage Of Time 40%
Description Develop and implement the lab's research operational standards, compliance frameworks, and research support service models, including survey and experimental protocols, human subjects (IRB) compliance, data management and security, and reproducibility practices.
Percentage Of Time 20%
Description Manage the lab's research program budgets, grant compliance, and sponsor reporting, including contributing to grant proposals and funder reports.
Percentage Of Time 20%
Description Lead professional development for the lab's postdoctoral and predoctoral researchers and undergraduate RAs, foster a collaborative, supportive team culture while ensuring deadlines are met, and contribute to the lab's research strategic plan.
Percentage Of Time 20%
-- Demonstrates professionalism and collegiality through actions, interactions, and communications with others appropriate to an environment that is welcoming to all.
-- Performs other duties as assigned.
