The Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law is a nonpartisan law and policy institute that seeks to improve the systems of democracy and justice in the United States. We work to hold our political institutions and laws accountable to the twin American ideals of democracy and equal justice for all. The Brennan Center’s work ranges from voting rights to campaign finance reform, from ending mass incarceration to preserving Constitutional protections in the fight against terrorism. Part think-tank, part advocacy group, part cutting edge communications hub, we start with rigorous research. We craft innovative policies. And we fight for them – in Congress and the states, in the courts, and in the court of public opinion.
The Brennan Center’s Justice Program aims to secure our nation’s promise of “equal justice for all” by tackling racial disparities and economic injustice, promoting a dignity-centered approach to crime and punishment, and creating a rational, effective, and fair justice system. Its priority focus is to reform the criminal legal system to shrink reliance on mass incarceration and mitigate its pernicious effects.
Position: The Justice Program is seeking a full-time Research Associate (RA) to join a cutting edge inter-disciplinary team working to create innovative, data-driven solutions to end mass incarceration and support new, holistic solutions to public safety that put communities first. The Research Associate will conduct research and policy advocacy for Justice Program initiatives. Some projects in the near term will include: a mixed methods study examining racial inequities in misdemeanor enforcement, and the development of recommendations with the engagement of impacted communities; and research to understand trends, root causes, and structural solutions related to crime, alternatives to enforcement in the form of policing, prosecution, and incarceration; and prison reform.
The Research Associate will support the work of researchers and program staff including attorneys.
Note: This is a hybrid position. Staff are currently working remotely 2 days a week. This position is based in New York City.
Responsibilities:
Conducting quantitative research and data analysis, under the instruction and mentorship of the research supervisor. This includes locating, collecting, and cleaning data related to the criminal legal system; managing large datasets documentation; analyzing data using statistical programs (such as R, Stata, or GIS); and helping draft and refine research findings and methodologies for reports and public forums.
Providing qualitative support to research supervisors by, for example, helping develop protocols; conducting or co-facilitating interviews and focus groups; analyzing qualitative data; and helping draft and refine research findings and methodologies for reports and public forums.
Providing administrative, logistical, and/or project management support to research supervisors and attorneys.
Drafting, editing, and assisting with the rollout of publications, reports, opinion pieces, academic journal articles, and other publications or communications as needed.
Taking on special projects and other duties as assigned.
This is a junior-level role reporting to the Justice Program’s managing director, but will work closely with a senior research fellow.
Qualifications:
Working knowledge of at least one data processing program is required (e.g., R, Stata, or GIS are preferred, but other programs are accepted).
Experience in conducting quantitative and qualitative research, including statistical analysis, is preferred.
Strong writing skills required.
Excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, self-reliance, and strong work ethic are required.
Mixed-methods experience, lived experience, participatory research, sociology, demography, public health, public policy, criminology, or statistics are a plus.
Our research centers issues of equity with respect to race, gender, sexual orientation, class, and other sociopolitical factors; comfort with equity as a driving principle of research is essential to success in the role.
The Brennan Center is committed to advancing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the workplace. We continuously work with our staff to find new ways to increase diversity and to build and cultivate an inclusive and equitable work environment, where everyone can be their true-self and feel a strong sense of belonging. As such, we seek to hire employees who have a commitment to and/or experience with diversity, equity, and inclusion. In addition, we expect employees to participate/contribute with DEI initiatives or activities with recruitment, retention, and workplace culture.
Applications:
Applicants will be interviewed on a rolling basis, and decisions will be made as soon as appropriate candidates are identified. We hope to expeditiously move through the recruitment process; therefore, we strongly encourage interested applicants to apply early. To apply, visit https://brennancenter.applytojob.com/apply/s6mUpqdC9C/Research-Associate-Justice-Program. Please upload each of the following application materials separately: cover letter, resume, writing sample (up to 10 pages), a data coding syntax sample (up to 2 pages), and contact information for three references. If applicable, please include Internet hyperlinks to authored writing samples. Please, no phone calls or faxes. Please identify where you saw this ad - it is strongly preferred that you apply on our website.
If you have difficulty with the online system, you may send your application by e-mail to: brennancenterjobs@nyu.edu with “Research Associate, Justice Program” in the subject line, after registering in the online system.
Compensation and Benefits:
This is a scaled position. The salary range assigned for the scale is $52,005 - $65,663 and has been determined based on market competitiveness. Additionally, we offer a very robust and competitive array of benefits such as a generous time off program, 401k plan, comprehensive health insurance (medical, dental, and vision), and wellness and office perks.
In addition, this position is part of a bargaining unit represented by the National Organization of Legal Services Workers, UAW local 2320.
Note: The Brennan Center is committed to public health and to the safety and wellbeing of our colleagues and visitors. As such, we have adopted a policy requiring all employees working in the New York and Washington, DC offices to be vaccinated against COVID-19, including having a booster, or to meet the legal guidelines for an exemption.
The Brennan Center for Justice is committed to a workplace based on equal opportunity and a strong belief in the increased effectiveness that comes from a diverse workforce. To this end, Brennan Center
- Welcomes applicants with disabilities and applicants of all races, ethnicities, gender identities, socioeconomic identities, sexual orientations, and national origin or citizenship, including people who have been previously incarcerated;
- Hires diverse candidates and works to improve our recruitment practices to allow for such
- Creates a workplace where true diversity is fostered and different perspectives are valued and freely exchanged;
- Ensures that all members of the Brennan Center community feel welcome and respected, and have equal opportunities to thrive and advance within the institution; and
- Is committed to supporting low-income communities and communities of color particularly affected by social inequities.