Research Director

Position Details

Position Information

Posting date 08/27/2026 Closing date Open Until Filled Yes Position Number 1129696 Position Title Research Director Hiring Range Minimum $22.35 Hiring Range Maximum $27.94 Union Type Not a Union Position SEIU Level Not an SEIU Position FLSA Status Non-Exempt Employment Category Regular Full Time w/end date Scheduled Months per Year 12 Scheduled Hours per Week 40 Schedule Location 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

To manage the research operations of the Polarization Research Lab.

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.

We are seeking a Research Director to manage the lab's research pipeline from developing new research projects and survey instruments through data analysis and writing. This person will also help 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.

The Research Director will have the chance to co-author (and lead) papers and work on scientific projects with researchers from institutions around the world. While the majority of the time will be dedicated to collaborative lab projects, there will be opportunity (and space on the lab's survey instrument) to develop related independent research.

Dartmouth is committed to academic excellence and encourages the open exchange of ideas within a culture of mutual respect. People with different backgrounds, life experiences, and perspectives make the Dartmouth community diverse, which enhances academic excellence.

Required Qualifications - Education and Yrs Exp PhD plus 1-2 year(s) of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience Required Qualifications - Skills, Knowledge and Abilities

• Ph.D. 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.
• Experience managing complex research projects.
• A collaborative, team-oriented approach, with the ability to support and mentor junior researchers.

Preferred Qualifications

• 2 years of relevant experience.
• Experience managing or mentoring postdocs or predocs.
• Experience with large-scale surveys or panel studies.
• 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 Equal Opportunity Employer

Dartmouth College is an equal opportunity employer under federal law. We prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status, marital status, or any other legally protected status. Applications are welcome from all.

Background Check

Employment in this position is contingent upon consent to and successful completion of a pre-employment background check, which may include a criminal background check, reference checks, verification of work history, conduct review, and verification of any required academic credentials, licenses, and/or certifications, with results acceptable to Dartmouth College. A criminal conviction will not automatically disqualify an applicant from employment. Background check information will be used in a confidential, non-discriminatory manner consistent with state and federal law.

Is driving a vehicle (e.g. Dartmouth vehicle or off road vehicle, rental car, personal car) an essential function of this job? Not an essential function 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.

Dartmouth College has a Tobacco-Free Policy. Smoking and the use of tobacco-based products (including smokeless tobacco) are prohibited in all facilities, grounds, vehicles or other areas owned, operated or occupied by Dartmouth College with no exceptions. For details, please see our policy. https://policies.dartmouth.edu/policy/tobacco-free-policy

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/87032

Key Accountabilities

Description

Manage the lab's research pipeline end to end: helping to develop new research projects, designing and fielding surveys, analyzing data, and writing up findings for public reports and peer-review journals.

• With the PIs, develop original 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 80% Description

Supervise and mentor postdoctoral and predoctoral researchers and undergraduate RAs, helping manage their projects, workloads, and professional development.

Percentage Of Time 10% Description

Foster a collaborative, supportive team culture across researchers at all levels while ensuring deadlines are met.

Percentage Of Time 5% Description

Contribute to grant proposals and funder reporting as needed.

Percentage Of Time 5%

• -- 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.

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• • How many years of indirect experience do you have in related or transferable work that supports this role? Please briefly describe this indirect experience, including specific positions held and the number of years of indirect experience acquired while in these roles.

(Open Ended Question)

• • How many years of formal supervisory experience do you have, including direct responsibility for staff (e.g., hiring, performance management, terminations)? Please briefly describe your people management experience, including the positions held, number of direct reports, and the number of years of people management experience acquired while in these roles.

(Open Ended Question)

• • How many years of direct experience do you have in work closely aligned with the key accountabilities of this role? Please briefly describe your direct experience, including specific positions held and the number of years of direct experience acquired while in these roles.

(Open Ended Question)

• • How did you learn about this employment opportunity?

• Current Dartmouth employee (Please specify full name below)

• Word of mouth

• Mentioned on social, digital, or print media (e.g. LinkedIn feed, VOX, Valley News, listserv)

• jobs@dartmouth.edu email outreach (includes Job Alert notifications, marketing emails from Talent Acquisition)

• Recruiter (Please specify full name or event below)

• abilityJOBS

• Chronicle of Higher Education

• Glassdoor

• Handshake

• HigherEdJobs

• HigherEdMilitary

• Indeed

• Inside Higher Ed

• LinkedIn's Job Board

• RecruitMilitary

• Dartmouth's Job Board (searchjobs.dartmouth.edu)

• Other (Please specify below)

• If you would like to add more information to your answer, please specify here:

(Open Ended Question)

Documents Needed to Apply

Required Documents

• Resume
• Cover Letter

Optional Documents

• Additional Document #1