Program Associate, Research & Learning / Research Scientist

POSITION SUMMARY: Scholars at Risk (SAR) seeks a detail-oriented, research-focused individual with  excellent organizational, analytical, and writing skills to join SAR’s Research & Learning team as a Program  Associate. The Program Associate will research, analyze, and write incident reports for SAR’s Academic  Freedom Monitoring Project and other reports; contribute to the research, drafting, and publication of  Research & Learning reports including SAR’s annual Free to Think report; and support the Research &  Learning team administratively across implementation of its projects.

Within Research & Learning, SAR conducts research and reporting on attacks on higher education in the  United States and worldwide, which it translates into the annual Free to Think report and other topical  reports. SAR also organizes regular cohorts of academics to further research on academic freedom as  Academic Freedom Fellows. SAR seeks a Program Associate to contribute to these projects. The position  requires excellent research, analysis, writing, and project management skills, as well as a practiced attention  to detail and judgment. It is ideal for a proactive, thoughtful individual who takes initiative, enjoys the  research process, has excellent writing skills, and likes to work on a small team. The position requires timely  and professional communication, including with partners, SAR and NYU staff, academia, and the public.  The role is based in Manhattan and in-office work is required a minimum of 2.5 days per week. This position  reports to SAR’s Director of Research & Learning.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES:

Research, analyze, write incident reports for SAR’s Academic Freedom Monitoring  Project, which identifies and registers attacks on the higher education sector worldwide

• Using SAR’s research methodology, conduct research on attacks on higher education, as reported in open sources; and draft, edit, verify, and publish summary reports.
• Collaborate on efforts to assess project efficiency and propose and implement improvements, including assessing the project’s database, use of partner data, and AI.
• Ensure appropriate and timely distribution of the project’s incidents and key findings, including over social media, in newsletters, and in submissions to stakeholders.
• Regularly share key incidents and trends with SAR staff and make recommendations as to appropriate responses.

Research, analyze, write, and produce reports that highlight trends in attacks on higher education, and develop response tools

• Contribute to the research and writing process for SAR’s annual Free to Think report, drawing on Monitoring Project data.
•  Liaise with communications staff for production and dissemination of Free to Think.
• Support research, writing, and production of other topical reports produced by SAR.
• Support development of training modules based on report recommendations, and of  similar  advocacy responses to the problem of attacks on higher education.
• Present report data and recommendations to academic and general audiences.

Support Research & Learning project implementation

• Support implementation of SAR’s Academic Freedom fellowships, including organizing  regular fellows’ meetings, commenting on research, and encouraging research on  underfunded/understudied topics.
• Across all Research & Learning projects and reports, facilitate payments to consultants and  vendors, manage team calendars, and support timely project implementation, including  through use of project management tools.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS: This is a full-time, at-will position on an open-ended term, subject to  program priorities, exemplary performance, and availability of funds. The position offers a salary range of  $55,000 – 65,000, comparable to similar positions at peer organizations in the human rights/NGO field. Scholars at Risk is an independent not-for-profit corporation hosted at New York University (NYU). SAR staff are NYU employees seconded to SAR and are eligible for NYU employee benefits, including vacation leave and holidays; medical, dental, vision and life insurance options; and retirement benefits (all subject to terms established by NYU as described at https://www.nyu.edu/employees/benefit/full time/professional-research-staff.html).

• Undergraduate degree and 3-5 years’ experience, or similar, relevant experience.
• Excellent research, writing, and editorial skills; demonstrated ability to synthesize and distill complex  information for general audiences.
• Exceptional communication skills and proven proficiency in delivering impactful presentations.
• Exceptional attention to detail, initiative, time-management, and problem-solving abilities.
• Experience in report writing, production, distribution, and strategy preferred.
• Experience in project management, especially in managing competing priorities.
• Commitment to human rights, academic freedom, and diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Experience studying and/or monitoring human rights required; experience working on academic freedom a plus.
• Ability to manage complex political and cultural factors, difficult information, including human rights  abuses, and tensions between long- and short-term goals.
• Proficiency in word processing and spreadsheet software (e.g., Word/Google Docs, Excel/Sheets),  website content management systems (e.g., WordPress). Experience in project management software (Asana, Trello, Monday) a plus.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

Application review is September 10, 2026. Applications received after the deadline will be reviewed on a rolling basis, until the position is filled. No phone calls or email inquiries, please.

Applicant must upload the requested materials in one combined PDF: (1) a letter of interest, (2) resume, (3) list of references or letters of reference, and (4) a brief, unedited writing sample.