Job Description

The Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law is a nonpartisan law and policy institute that seeks to improve our systems of democracy and justice. 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 court 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 the courts, in Congress and the states, and in the court of public opinion. 

Position 
The Brennan Center is seeking a talented Research Fellow or Senior Research Fellow to join the Center’s Judiciary Program, with a focus on projects related to the U.S. Supreme Court and Supreme Court reform, including Supreme Court term limits and ethics reform. The Research Fellow/Senior Research Fellow will develop and execute original research projects related to the courts to further Brennan Center goals in partnership with colleagues, working on projects from inception through design, refinement, testing, and publication. 

The Research Fellow/Senior Research Fellow will report to the Director of the Judiciary Program with a dotted line report to the Director of Research.   

 

Note: This position is based at the Brennan Center’s headquarters in New York City. 

Responsibilities may include: 

• Lead and manage rigorous, original research studies, including data cleaning and application of causal methods, qualitative, and mixed-method research. 

• Support, and, as appropriate, co-author reports with attorneys and other research professionals, managing edits from program leadership, communications colleagues, organizational leadership, and peer reviewers.  

• Conduct literature reviews and distill key information, including complex theoretical concepts and quantitative analyses, into memos for colleagues from other disciplines. 

• Participate in the public release and rollout of reports. 

• Contribute research for Brennan Center policy reports, featuring clear and accessible methods and innovative policy recommendations. 

• Conduct research for scholarly journals, legislative and executive agency testimony, legal briefs, and other Brennan Center documents. 

• Conduct research and data analysis for Brennan Center public communication efforts.  

• Present research findings through public speaking, media appearances, and written advocacy pieces.  

• Develop and maintain a public profile as a researcher contributing to a broader understanding of the Supreme Court and Supreme Court reform.  

• Speak at briefings, conferences, and other professional events.  

• Engage with the academic community, including participation in conferences. 

• Develop and maintain a high level of practical expertise on best practices for research on court-related issues, and substantive knowledge of relevant scholarship. 

• Provide mentorship for junior research staff. 
  
   

Qualifications 

• A Ph.D. or Master’s degree in social science, public policy, law and society, or related interdisciplinary field with at least 3-5 years of full-time experience leading research projects on law, courts, and/or judicial processes. Candidates with additional years of experience are also encouraged to apply.  

• Strong fluency with data science techniques, and advanced experience using R, Stata, or another comparable data analysis program. Substantial experience in dataset management. 

• Knowledge of and experience with analyzing data used to conduct systematic research on the courts, particularly the U.S. Supreme Court. 

• Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy in all work that could be used or published, with proven ability to plan for and demonstrate peer review and other techniques for bulletproofing findings. 

• Demonstrated commitment to racial justice and understanding of how to engage in research through a racial equity approach.  

• Demonstrated ability to collaborate with diverse stakeholders in designing and implementing research and to communicate technical research findings to broad audiences. 

• Excellent interpersonal skills, including proven ability to work effectively within a team environment, and to work collaboratively with editors, other staff, and outside peer reviewers. 

• Drive and ability to take initiative, anticipate needs and solve problems, and complete tasks and projects with a high degree of focus and independence. 

• Strong ability to manage time and successfully multi-task in a deadline-driven environment. 

• A high degree of professionalism, integrity, discretion, and judgment. 

• Commitment to the mission and values of the Brennan Center. 

We are committed to considering a wide range of candidates, including those with diverse experiences and backgrounds. Whether you are new to the nonprofit law and policy sector, returning to work after a gap in employment, looking to make a career transition, or seeking to advance your professional path, we welcome your application. 

If you're uncertain about meeting 100% of our qualifications, we encourage you to apply anyway. Therefore, please consider submitting your application. In your cover letter, please share your interest in the position and what you hope to contribute to the role. 

To Apply: To apply, please visit  and upload the following documents: (1) a cover letter, (2) resume, (3) one writing sample, and (4) contact information for three references.  No phone calls or faxes. Please reference where you saw this posting. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis, and decisions will be made as soon as an appropriate candidate is identified. 

We prefer applications to be submitted through our website.  If you have difficulty uploading these items as one document, e-mail them to [email protected] with “Research Fellow, Judiciary Program” in the subject line. 

Compensation and Benefits:    
The Brennan Center is a fantastic workplace! We offer competitive salaries and a comprehensive benefits package that is regularly assessed based on workplace trends and employee feedback. 

The salary range assigned for this position is $117,000 - $124,000 (Research Fellow), and $138,000 - $148,000 (Senior Research Fellow). The title will be determined based on factors such as education, experience and equity with others in the same role. Additionally, we offer 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 or to meet the legal guidelines for an exemption.  

The Brennan Center for Justice is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome all qualified applicants to apply. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, ethnicity, gender identity, socioeconomic identity, sexual orientation, national origin, previous incarceration, disability, military veteran/status, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law.

Job Tags

Full time, Local area,

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