RIPIL Deputy Director

American University is a student-centered research institution located in Washington, DC, with highly-ranked schools and colleges, internationally-renowned faculty, and a reputation for creating meaningful change in the world.

Department: School of International Service

Time Type: Full time

FLSA Status: Exempt

The Research on International Policy Implementation Lab (RIPIL) and the Department of Foreign Policy & Global Security in the School of International Service (SIS) at American University are seeking applications for a Deputy Director (who would be appointed at the rank of Research Fellow or Postdoctoral Fellow, depending upon qualifications) for an initial 12-month appointment term contingent on external funding beginning on July 15, 2026, with possibility of renewal for additional time contingent upon performance, budget, and need.

RIPIL investigates pressing topics in international peace, security, development, and humanitarian response through innovative research-to-policy methods, partnerships, and practices that translate scholarly research into real policy action. Working closely with the Director, the Deputy Director will provide strategic, managerial, and research leadership to advance RIPIL's mission, including by leading the research component of the Translating Research into Action Center (TRAC). The Deputy Director will oversee daily operations including oversight of budget and hires (with support from the SIS Office of Financial Operations), lead research activities, foster partnerships with external stakeholders, supervise postdoctoral fellows and graduate student workers, and contribute to high-quality publications and policy engagement. The successful candidate will be expected to drive research impact, lead research teams, contribute to high-quality grant-based outputs, and build RIPIL’s reputation for rigorous and applied studies on international policy implementation.

For this position, we seek a collaborative scholar-practitioner with experience in international policy research, program management, and applied social science methods. Applicants should deeply understand research-to-policy translation, engaged research, and research-practice partnership theory and have demonstrable experience advancing related projects and research efforts. Preference will be given to applicants with experience leading partnerships, managing multiple workflows, possessing strong intrapersonal skills, and experience working with RIPIL.

Applicants should reside in the D.C. metropolitan area and hold a PhD or the highest equivalent degree in any discipline connected to the social sciences by the start date, though ABD applications will be considered. The annual salary for this position is $125,000. Benefits are competitive. Review of applications will begin on June 1, 2026, and will continue until the position is filled.

Applications must be submitted electronically via the Workday application system. Applications should include the following:

• Cover letter detailing the applicant’s research background and expertise. It is recommended that the cover letter describe your contributions to research-to-policy projects and research-practice partnerships.
• Curriculum vitae
• Previously published writing sample
• The names and email addresses of three references (the Workday system will contact them for a confidential letter of recommendation) and whom the committee may contact.

Queries about the position may be sent to Professor Susanna Campbell (scampbell@american.edu). Queries about the online application system may be sent to SIS Faculty Affairs (sisfacultyaffairs@american.edu).