The University of San Diego is inviting applications for a Lead Researcher, JusticeForward Initiative position at the Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice.
This full-time, grant-funded opportunity is designed for an applied researcher, policy specialist, academic, or experienced scholar-practitioner interested in conducting research and developing practical solutions around justice-sector workforce pathways.
The successful candidate will help lead the research component of the JusticeForward: Safer Students Workforce Initiative, a programme focused on strengthening career pathways for justice-impacted students seeking employment in areas connected to the criminal justice and broader justice sectors.
The position is based in San Diego, California, and is a full-time temporary appointment with an anticipated 30-month grant assignment. The role offers a monthly salary range of $6,667 to $7,500, alongside a benefits package.
Applications are currently open until filled, meaning interested and qualified candidates are encouraged to apply as early as possible.
JusticeForward is a grant-funded workforce development and applied research initiative designed to expand and strengthen pathways for students with prior involvement in the justice system into careers within the justice sector.
The initiative focuses on understanding and addressing the barriers that can make it difficult for otherwise qualified candidates with criminal records or prior justice-system involvement to enter certain professional fields.
These career pathways may include areas such as:
- Probation
- Corrections
- Law
- Public policy
- Social work
- Public administration
- Justice studies
- Other related justice-sector careers
The Lead Researcher will conduct research examining legal, institutional, and practical barriers affecting access to these career opportunities. The research will also identify opportunities and help produce practical recommendations and resources for employers, government agencies, universities, practitioners, and other relevant partners.
About the Lead Researcher Position
This is a genuinely applied role that combines rigorous research with policy analysis, teaching, student mentorship, stakeholder engagement, and public-facing dissemination.
The successful candidate will work under the direction of the Executive Director and collaborate closely with the Director of Research, Monitoring and Evaluation, as well as relevant project partners.
A major responsibility will be to lead and produce core JusticeForward research deliverables required under the grant. These include a barrier and opportunity scan, a learning framework, midpoint and final reports, practical public-facing resources, and other scholarly, policy-oriented, or practitioner-focused outputs.
The position may suit professionals who are comfortable moving between academic research, teaching, public policy, and practical problem-solving.
The University is open to different types of candidates, including academics, policy researchers, and experienced practitioners with relevant expertise.
Key Responsibilities
The Lead Researcher will lead and manage the JusticeForward applied research workstream while coordinating with project leadership and partners.
Key responsibilities include:
- Conducting rigorous and ethical applied research
- Leading policy and institutional analysis
- Gathering and analysing information from documents and other evidence sources
- Conducting stakeholder engagement and research activities
- Producing reports, research briefs, and knowledge products
- Developing practical public-facing resources
- Translating research findings into actionable recommendations
- Supporting research dissemination and public engagement
- Contributing to stakeholder meetings, presentations, and briefings
- Maintaining and expanding relevant external relationships
The research may use quantitative, qualitative, policy, institutional, community-engaged, or mixed-methods approaches depending on the needs of the initiative.
The successful candidate will be expected to ensure that research is not only academically rigorous but also relevant to project goals, partner needs, student learning, and real-world implementation.
Teaching and Student Mentorship
An important feature of this role is its integration of research and student learning.
The Lead Researcher will teach or co-teach credit-bearing practica that involve students directly in JusticeForward’s research, policy, and dissemination activities.
Students may contribute to activities such as policy mapping, research brief development, stakeholder analysis, and translating research findings into accessible resources for practitioners and other audiences.
The successful candidate will also mentor students involved in JusticeForward-related research, practica, internships, presentations, and other applied learning opportunities.
This means the role is particularly relevant to candidates who value experiential education and have the ability to connect academic learning with professional development and career pathways.
Who Can Apply?
Applicants must hold at least a Master’s degree in a relevant discipline.
Relevant fields include:
- Peace and conflict studies
- Public policy
- International relations
- Law
- Human rights
- Sociology
- Criminology
- Social work
- Education
- Political science
- Justice studies
- Public administration
- Other closely related fields
Candidates must also have at least two years of relevant professional experience in areas such as applied research, policy analysis, evaluation, teaching, higher education, community-engaged work, advocacy, public problem-solving, or related practice.
Applicants should demonstrate strong research, analytical, writing, organisational, and project management abilities. They should also be able to work effectively with students, faculty, public agencies, community partners, nonprofit organisations, and people with lived experience of justice-system involvement.
Preferred Qualifications
A terminal degree, such as a PhD, JD, EdD, or equivalent qualification, is preferred but not listed as a minimum requirement.
The University is particularly interested in candidates with experience related to criminal justice, reentry, collateral consequences, public safety, probation, corrections, diversion, restorative justice, community violence prevention, or justice-sector workforce pathways.
Other preferred experience includes stakeholder interviews, listening sessions, focus groups, policy scans, workforce pathway mapping, institutional analysis, monitoring and evaluation, quantitative research, and mixed-methods research.
Experience teaching, facilitating workshops, mentoring students, supervising researchers, or supporting practice-based learning is also valuable.
Salary and Benefits
The advertised salary range for the Lead Researcher position is $6,667 to $7,500 per month, depending on experience, education, and other relevant factors.
The position also includes access to a competitive benefits package, including:
- Medical coverage
- Dental coverage
- Vision coverage
- University retirement contributions
- Access to on-campus fitness centres
Actual compensation will depend on the selected candidate’s experience, education, and other applicable factors.
Location and Work Arrangement
The position is based at the University of San Diego in California.
Although limited remote work may be permitted with prior approval where compatible with operational requirements, regular on-site presence is considered an essential expectation of the role.
The position may also involve local travel to partner organisations, justice-sector agencies, community-based organisations, convenings, or research sites. Occasional domestic travel for conferences or professional events may also be required.
How to Apply
Interested candidates should complete the University of San Diego’s online application process and upload the required documents.
Applicants are required to submit:
- A current resume
- A cover letter
The job posting is listed under Posting Number 5700, and candidates should use the official University of San Diego employment portal to submit their applications.
APPLY HERE
The position is open until filled. Applications will be reviewed throughout the posting period, and a candidate may be selected before a specific closing date is announced. Early application is therefore strongly encouraged.
Why This Opportunity Matters
The JusticeForward Initiative offers an opportunity to contribute to applied research with direct relevance to policy, institutions, workforce development, higher education, and justice-sector practice.
The Lead Researcher will have the opportunity to combine evidence-based inquiry with practical action while working with students, researchers, public agencies, community organisations, and other stakeholders.
For academics, policy researchers, and experienced practitioners seeking a role that bridges research and real-world impact, this 30-month University of San Diego opportunity could provide a meaningful platform to contribute to research and recommendations aimed at expanding professional pathways for justice-impacted students.
APPLY NOW
Interested applicants should review the complete job description and submit their application through the official University of San Diego employment portal. The position is open until filled, and candidates are encouraged to apply early.
Position: Lead Researcher, JusticeForward Initiative
Organisation: University of San Diego – Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice
Location: San Diego, California, USA
Employment Type: Full-time temporary
Contract Duration: Anticipated 30 months
Salary: $6,667–$7,500 per month
Application Status: Open until filled
Required Documents: Resume and Cover Letter
