Senior researcher, mixed methods

This position is listed on behalf of a partner company, who manages all applications and next steps. Our partner is looking for a Senior Researcher, Mixed Methods based in United States.

This role offers an opportunity to lead rigorous, applied research at the intersection of behavioral science, public opinion, communications, and decarbonization.

You will independently shape research questions and lead studies from initial hypotheses through design, analysis, interpretation, and communication.

The position combines experimental, causal, qualitative, and mixed-methods approaches to understand what drives meaningful behavioral and social change.

You will investigate not only whether interventions work, but why they work, for whom, and under which conditions.

Working across program, communications, advocacy, digital, and research teams, you will translate evidence into stronger strategies and measurable outcomes.

You will also collaborate with academic institutions, research partners, vendors, and external experts on high-quality studies.

This is a highly autonomous scientific role with the opportunity to influence research strategy and contribute to large-scale progress toward a more sustainable economy.

Accountabilities

• Lead original applied research projects end-to-end, including developing research questions and hypotheses, designing studies, collecting data, conducting analysis, interpreting findings, and communicating conclusions.
• Design and analyze randomized controlled trials, field experiments, survey experiments, quasi-experimental studies, longitudinal research, and other approaches to evaluate programs and interventions.
• Integrate quantitative and qualitative methodologies, including surveys, interviews, focus groups, and open-ended data analysis, to understand behavioral drivers and intervention effectiveness.
• Develop meaningful measures of attitudes, behaviors, engagement, and program impact to determine whether initiatives should be refined, expanded, scaled, or discontinued.
• Identify high-value research questions, emerging methodologies, and innovative opportunities that can strengthen understanding of behavioral and social drivers of decarbonization.
• Partner with program, organizing, communications, advocacy, civic engagement, and digital teams to translate organizational priorities into rigorous research initiatives and incorporate evidence into decision-making.
• Build and manage research partnerships with academic researchers, community organizations, polling firms, vendors, and other external collaborators.
• Exercise independent scientific judgment when determining the evidence required to answer consequential questions and the conclusions that can reasonably be drawn from research findings.
• Translate complex research into clear findings, recommendations, presentations, reports, and other materials for technical and nontechnical audiences, including staff, funders, policymakers, and external partners.
• Contribute to the development of behavioral science as an important tool for understanding and accelerating large-scale social, economic, and technological change.

Requirements

• PhD in psychology, political science, sociology, communication, behavioral science, public policy, evaluation, another relevant social science discipline, or equivalent advanced research training and experience.
• Demonstrated ability to operate independently as a scientist, including developing original research questions, designing studies, evaluating evidence critically, and drawing well-supported conclusions.
• Strong experience designing and conducting applied social or behavioral research, including randomized controlled trials, field experiments, survey experiments, and experimental or quasi-experimental studies.
• Strong quantitative research capabilities covering statistical analysis, research design, causal inference, and evidence evaluation.
• Experience conducting qualitative or mixed-methods research using approaches such as interviews, focus groups, surveys, and open-ended data analysis.
• Proficiency with statistical and research software such as R, Python, Stata, SAS, SPSS, or comparable tools.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate sophisticated research findings clearly to both technical and nontechnical audiences.
• Strong scientific judgment, curiosity, initiative, and entrepreneurial thinking, with the ability to independently manage multiple research projects and priorities.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams, academic partners, external researchers, vendors, and organizational stakeholders.
• Three or more years of research experience following completion of a doctoral degree is preferred.
• Experience in areas such as renewable energy, climate or energy communications, public opinion, political behavior, elections, electric vehicle adoption, rural or agricultural communities, misinformation, persuasion, or related fields is preferred.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage research projects from conception through delivery while maintaining methodological rigor and high-quality standards.

Benefits

• Annual salary of $100,000–$120,000, commensurate with experience.
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance, with employee and dependent premiums covered at approximately 95–100%.
• 2–4 weeks of paid vacation annually, depending on seniority.
• 13 paid holidays plus 2 floating holidays.
• 2 weeks of paid office closure.
• 10 days of paid sick leave annually.
• 403(b) retirement plan with a 3% employer contribution/match.
• Charitable giving program with a 1:1 match up to $250 per year, plus 2 paid volunteer days.
• Education reimbursement of up to $1,500 per year.
• Healthcare Flexible Spending Account and Health Savings Account options.
• $200 monthly stipend for eligible expenses such as cellphone and wellness costs.
• 8 weeks of paid sabbatical after 5 years of employment.
• 8 weeks of paid parental leave.
• Opportunity to work on research with meaningful social, economic, and environmental impact.
• Collaborative environment combining behavioral research, data, communications, technology, and public engagement.