Missouri Appleseed
Director of Research
Missouri Appleseed believes all Missouri families deserve the opportunity to thrive. Through advocacy, research, and education, Missouri Appleseed works to improve the systems and policies at the intersection of public health, criminal justice, and child welfare.
Missouri Appleseed seeks a Research Director to lead our research and policy implementation efforts. The Director of Research must be proficient at qualitative and quantitative research methods, statistical analysis, relationship management, and outreach, and must excel at self-motivated learning. This role is ideal for a detail-oriented, strategic thinker with experience in legal or social science research who is passionate about using data and storytelling to drive systemic change.
Key Responsibilities
– Develop and Oversee Research Projects: Design and execute research projects (including pursuing IRB approval) on criminal justice, public health, child welfare, or other areas relevant to our mission.
– Data Collection & Analysis: Conduct qualitative and quantitative research, including public records requests, interviews, case reviews, and data analysis.
– Report Writing & Publication: Lead the drafting, editing, and publication of investigative reports, white papers, and policy briefs.
– Policy Advocacy Support: Translate research findings into actionable policy recommendations and support advocacy efforts at the state and local levels.
– Collaboration & Partnerships: Work closely with external partners, including universities, nonprofits, and government agencies.
– Public Engagement: Present research findings to lawmakers, media, and community stakeholders to influence public policy and drive reform.
– Grant & Fundraising Support: Assist in grant writing and reporting by providing research insights and outcomes to funders.
Qualifications
– Required Experience: 5+ years of experience in legal and/or policy research. Strong preference for candidates with experience in criminal justice or civil rights research and familiarity with state and/or federal public policies and the legislative process. IRB experience highly preferred.
– Education: J.D., Ph.D., or Master’s degree in law, public policy, criminology, sociology, public health, or a related field preferred. Bachelor’s Degree required.
– Exceptional ability to conduct legal and policy research, analyze data, and produce clear, compelling written reports.
– Proficiency in data collection methods, public records research, and working with datasets. Experience with statistical and analytical tools (e.g., R, Stata, SPSS, NVivo, Dedoose) is a plus.
– Ability to lead multiple research projects simultaneously, meet deadlines, and manage research teams.
– Strong public speaking and presentation skills, with the ability to translate complex research into accessible and persuasive narratives.
– Commitment to justice and fairness, deep understanding of systemic inequities, and a passion for advancing the welfare of Missouri families.
How to Apply
Interested candidates should submit a resume and a professional writing sample to mquandt@appleseednetwork.org. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. A cover letter is appreciated but not required.
Missouri Appleseed is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage candidates from diverse backgrounds, including individuals directly impacted by the justice system, to apply.
