Research Associate – Nexus Center for Antisemitism Research

Reports To: Director, Nexus Center for Antisemitism Research (NCAR)

Start Date: Immediately

Status: Full Time, Exempt

Location: United States, Remote

About the Nexus Center for Antisemitism Research

The Nexus Center for Antisemitism Research (NCAR) produces and elevates rigorous research on antisemitism to better understand the harms Jews face and to strengthen society’s ability to respond. We conduct original research, highlight important scholarship, scrutinize widely shared claims, and serve as a bridge between research and the institutions, leaders, and communities seeking evidence-based insight. In an age of polarization and partisanship, our goal is to deepen understanding, build trust, and ensure that conversations about antisemitism are guided by rigor, transparency, and intellectual openness.

Our work is grounded in the understanding that Jewish safety and democracy are inseparable. We help prevent the conflation of criticism of Israel with antisemitism from being used to divide communities, while confronting genuine antisemitic threats from all sources. Through education, research, and coalition-building, The Nexus Project equips policymakers, journalists, educators, and community leaders with the knowledge and tools needed to fight antisemitism in ways that are effective, principled, and rooted in facts.

Position Summary

NCAR seeks a full-time Research Associate to advance our social science research on antisemitism in the United States. The Research Associate will serve as a thought partner for NCAR’s director on research design, methodology, and the interpretation of findings. They will help design and implement quantitative and qualitative studies — including survey research, content analysis, and secondary data analysis — critically evaluate existing scholarship on antisemitism, and conduct primary source research into antisemitic movements and controversies in the U.S. They will document their findings in internal memoranda and contribute to public-facing NCAR publications.

The ideal candidate is a methodologically rigorous social scientist who is unafraid to ask challenging questions — even when the answers complicate prevailing narratives — and committed to following the data wherever it leads. They bring strong attention to detail, an entrepreneurial mindset, and the ability to communicate complex findings to diverse audiences. Above all, they are motivated by a genuine desire to strengthen the Jewish community and combat antisemitism through credible, independent research at a moment when rigorous social science is needed more than ever to provide an evidence-based foundation for action.

Key Responsibilities

Serve as a strategic research partner to the Director on U.S. antisemitism, helping to frame research questions, select methods, and interpret findings for policy and public audiences.
Design and carry out qualitative and quantitative research projects (e.g., surveys, literature reviews, data analysis, case studies), from research plan through analysis and written products, in collaboration with external consultants and partners.
Critically evaluate existing scholarship, reports, datasets, and public claims about antisemitism, with close attention to methodology, evidence, and limitations.
Produce clear internal memos, research briefs, and backgrounders that synthesize complex material and inform NCAR’s agenda, publications, and external engagements.
Draft and co-author NCAR publications (reports, explainers, talking points, presentations), ensuring they are rigorous, accessible, and responsive to media, policy, and communal debates.
Conduct primary source research on antisemitic movements, incidents, and controversies in the U.S., including monitoring media, organizational materials, and public records.
Maintain organized research assets (datasets, notes, bibliographies, document repositories) and support replicable, transparent workflows.
Collaborate with external researchers and partners as needed, including preparing materials for briefings, convenings, and consultations.

Qualifications

Required:

Master’s degree in survey methodology, sociology, political science, psychology, public policy, or a related social science discipline. Equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
2-4 years of experience in applied social science research or survey research.
Experience with survey design, questionnaire development, and sampling methods.
Familiarity with weighting, margin of error, and data quality assessment.
Experience working with survey firms or managing fielded studies preferred.
Strong analytical skills, including the ability to assess the strength of evidence, evaluate research design, and distinguish clearly between empirical findings and normative claims.
Excellent writing and editing skills, with a record of producing well-structured memos, briefs, or reports for non-specialist readers.
Familiarity with contemporary debates about antisemitism, Israel/Zionism, Jewish life, extremism, racism, and/or political polarization.
High level of organization, reliability, and follow-through in a remote, small-team setting, including managing multiple projects and deadlines.
Ability to work independently on sensitive and politicized topics while exercising sound judgment and contributing constructively to an intellectually diverse team.

Preferred:

Substantive prior work directly on antisemitism, Jewish politics or history, extremism, or closely related topics (e.g., thesis, publication, major report, or portfolio of briefs).
Experience in a think tank or policy-research environment, especially on issues that are contested in public discourse and require careful framing.
Proficiency with more advanced methods or tools (e.g., survey programming/analysis platforms; R, Stata, or similar; social media or web-scraping tools; qualitative coding software).
Experience presenting research to non-academic audiences (briefings for practitioners, community leaders, journalists, or policymakers).
Experience helping to shape project scopes, manage timelines, or informally guide more junior researchers or interns.

Work Environment and Culture

NCAR is a small, collaborative research center with a strong commitment to methodological rigor, transparency, and intellectual openness. The Research Associate will work closely with the Director and a small team of partners and affiliates, with regular opportunities to shape projects and contribute ideas. The position is fully remote within the United States, with reasonable core hours for coordination and flexibility for independent work. Occasional travel for meetings, convenings, or conferences may be requested but is not expected to be frequent.

Salary and Benefits

This is a full-time, exempt position. The salary range for this position is $65,000 to $80,000, commensurate with experience and qualifications. NCAR offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes health insurance and generous paid time off; specific details will be discussed with candidates during the interview process.

Location and Work Arrangement

The position is remote and U.S.-based. While NCAR does not require residence in a specific city, the role involves regular collaboration with the Director and external partners, so the ability to participate in video meetings during standard U.S. working hours is important. Occasional in-person meetings or events may be scheduled with advance notice.

Equal Opportunity Employer

NCAR is committed to building an intellectually and demographically diverse team. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds and identities, including those from communities that have been underrepresented in research and policy spaces. We also recognize that strong candidates may bring relevant experience through nontraditional paths and may not meet every qualification listed. If you are excited about this role and our mission, we encourage you to apply even if you are not sure you meet all of the criteria.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, gender identity or expression, or any other basis protected by local, state, or federal law. This policy applies to all aspects of employment, including hiring, transfer, promotion, compensation, eligibility for benefits, and termination.

To Apply

Please submit the following:

Resume or CV
A cover letter explaining your interest in NCAR, how your experience prepares you for this role, and how you would approach research on antisemitism in a polarized environment.
A writing sample that demonstrates your research skills, analytical ability and clarity of argument (this can be an excerpt from a thesis, report, article, or substantial memo).

Please send materials to [email protected] with the subject line “Research Associate – NCAR.” Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Candidates selected for further consideration may be asked to complete a brief written exercise (for example, a short memo or critique of a public claim about antisemitism).