Research Director (Academic Administrator V)

Research Director (Academic Administrator V)

University of California Los Angeles

Requisition Number: JPF10911

The Research Director is responsible for the Labor Center's research development, project direction, management, and coordination. This includes research instrument development, data collection, and oversight of analysis. The Research Director will determine the Center's research priorities in collaboration with the Labor Center Director, research staff, partners, and allies. The Research Director will expand the Labor Center's research capacity through staff training, external funding, and partnerships with faculty, foundations, labor and community allies, and local and state public agencies, and by tracking research trends in the field to expand labor research and education projects throughout California and the nation. The Research Director will coordinate all technical aspects of the Labor Center's research, including design, project planning, implementation, evaluation, data analysis, report writing, and dissemination and communication of research findings to various audiences and media outlets. The Research Director will ensure that all research projects follow rigorous standards and maintain high quality. They will directly supervise research staff and undergraduate and graduate students, coordinate data collection activities, and provide training on research methodologies, approaches, and tools. In addition, the Research Director will engage in research fundraising efforts, manage and supervise contracts and grants, and oversee deliverables and budgets.

Assignments are determined by the Labor Center's strategic priorities, team meetings, and staff interactions. The Research Director will participate in the Labor Center's leadership team that includes oversight of budgets, personnel, external and internal relations, education and training, and research efforts. The incumbent prioritizes their own workflow. Incumbent assigns and reviews the work of supervisees, recommends hiring selections, and evaluates performance.

1. Research Design and Implementation

• Serve as PI on original research projects that advance understanding of labor policy, workplace dynamics, and low-wage industries.
• Design rigorous studies aligned with Labor Center priorities, ensuring appropriate methodological approaches, oversight, and research ethics compliance (including IRB).
• Publish in peer-reviewed and practitioner journals, produce accessible research outputs (briefs, reports, infographics, podcasts, and testimony), and disseminate findings across academic, policy, labor, and community platforms.
• Supervise and mentor graduate and undergraduate researchers to build research capacity and maintain quality standards.

2. External Relations & Community Engagement

• Build and sustain partnerships with labor organizations, policymakers, faculty, and allied research institutions to align research with community needs and emerging labor trends.
• Present research at conferences, public hearings, and educational events; contribute as peer reviewer, advisory board member, and subject-matter expert.
• Serve as a spokesperson for the Center, including engagement with journalists, media outlets, and communications stakeholders to expand the reach of labor research.
• Develop and oversee dissemination strategies, including public testimony, press engagement, podcasts, and accessible research products for diverse audiences.

3. Organizational Research Oversight

• Coordinate and oversee research projects across the Labor Center to ensure quality, rigor, and alignment with strategic priorities.
• Facilitate internal and external peer review, research meetings, and cross-team collaborations.
• Mentor and coordinate other PIs and project teams, ensuring consistent standards for research design, implementation, and dissemination.
• Guide the development of educational offerings and training on research methods for staff, students, and allied organizations.

4. Labor Education & Training

• Develop and teach courses, curricula, and training modules on labor studies, workplace dynamics, and research methodologies.
• Provide training to Labor Center staff, students, and allied organizations on research tools, methods, and data analysis.
• Organize educational events with scholars, students, labor and community groups, and policymakers to promote knowledge exchange and workforce development.
• Teach for the Labor Studies Department in any quarter (summer, fall, winter, spring).

5. Fundraising, Grants, & Contract Management

• Develop fundraising efforts to sustain the Labor Center's research portfolio, including securing grants, contracts, and philanthropic support.
• Develop and manage multi-year budgets, timelines, and deliverables for funded research projects.
• Prepare and submit grant proposals and reports, working closely with the development team and executive director.

To apply, please visit: https://recruit.apo.ucla.edu/JPF10911