Senior Research Scientist (Prof Haidt)

Jonathan Haidt and Zach Rausch are seeking a Quantitative Senior Research Scientist to lead analyses of large datasets, conduct systematic reviews and meta-analysis, and ensure the methodological rigor of our research outputs. This role is central to the lab’s mission of clarifying the causal impacts of digital technology on youth mental health, education, and well-being.

The ideal candidate is a strong quantitative researcher with experience in psychology, sociology, public health, or related fields. They will serve as the lab’s statistical lead, providing quality assurance, reanalyzing datasets, and contributing to both academic and public-facing outputs. This is a full time role, housed at NYU. Relocation to New York is preferred, but hybrid work arrangement is an option for exceptional candidates.

Key Responsibilities

1. Statistical Leadership & QA
   • Serve as the lab’s primary statistical authority for internal and collaborative projects.
   • Provide quality assurance on analyses run by other team members and external partners.
   • Advise on research design, variable selection, and causal inference strategies.
2. Data Analysis
   • Reanalyze existing data to test competing claims in the literature.
   • Conduct original analyses that address key questions about youth well-being and digital technology.
3. Meta-Analyses & Review Papers
   • Lead or collaborate on systematic reviews and meta-analyses of studies on technology, education, and mental health.
   • Work closely with external collaborators to ensure rigor and consistency.
   • Summarize findings for both academic papers and Substack essays.
4. Study Development
   • Design and refine lab-led research studies (e.g., surveys, quasi-experiments, longitudinal analyses).
   • Translate movement goals into rigorous study protocols.
   • Support IRB submissions and methodological documentation when needed.
5. Research Methods & Survey Design
   • Lead or collaborate on lab-led surveys
   • Support the TAG Movement team as appropriate, supporting our work to bridge between research and action.
6. Writing & Co-Authorship
   • Lead research and writing of academic manuscripts, white papers, and research briefs.
   • Edit and improve methods and results sections from all papers written in the lab
   • Collaborate with lab leadership (Haidt & Rausch) to translate quantitative findings into public-facing outputs.

In compliance with NYC’s Pay Transparency Act, the annual base salary range for this position is $128,125-$160,925. New York University considers factors such as (but not limited to) the specific grant funding and the terms of the research grant when extending an offer.

Required

• PhD in statistics, psychology, data science, epidemiology, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• Strong quantitative and analytical skills, with experience working with large datasets.
• Proficiency in data visualization tools (R, Python, SPSS, SAS, or equivalent).
• Excellent writing and communication skills, with ability to translate research for broad audiences.
• Strong organizational skills; comfort managing multiple projects simultaneously.

Preferred

• Experience with international datasets (OECD, WHO, Gallup, PISA, etc.).
• Background in survey research, statistical methods, or policy analysis.
• Familiarity with youth mental health, education, or technology research.
• Prior experience coordinating multi-institution collaborations or research consortia.

Please submit a CV, cover letter, and two references via Interfolio.