Director of Research & Resource Development (R&D)

Position: Director of Research & Resource Development (Full-time, exempt)

Start Date: Flexible by November 15, 2025

Location: Remote in USA; New York City office also available

Pay: $130-150k

Travel: 10%

Heterodox Academy (HxA) fosters a culture of open inquiry on college campuses, where the pursuit of truth requires three essential conditions: the free exchange of ideas, viewpoint diversity, and constructive disagreement. After a widespread surge of appreciation for the importance of these conditions, HxA now has the opportunity to equip its members, member communities, and college and university partners with research, data, ideas, practical resources, and training resources that can allow them to build cultures of open inquiry on campus in alignment with HxA’s Open Inquiry U Reform Agenda. As an essential leader in this effort, HxA seeks a Director of Research & Resource Development (R&D) to lead a team (of three people, initially) and oversee academic programs at the Mike & Sofia Segal Center for Academic Pluralism.

The role is designed for a trained academic researcher and experienced manager with the versatility and drive to oversee the production of high-quality research and resources at a challenging tempo. The ideal candidate will have a personal commitment to HxA’s mission; the ability to make rigorous analysis accessible to varied audiences; and the ambition to develop impactful resources that can be used by members and campus partners across North America. Candidates with a wide range of disciplinary and methodological backgrounds will be considered. Those with a background in higher education policy research and/or professional development for college faculty are especially encouraged to apply.

The Director will report to HxA's Executive Director and will manage three direct reports (two researchers and one resource developer) and multiple contractors. This is a remote position, with limited travel in the United States required.

This position is wide-ranging and collaborative, requiring some discretion and independent judgment. HxA understands that not every candidate will be equally skilled or experienced in every area. If you feel qualified for the role, but your skills and experience are not a 100% fit for every detail below, we encourage you to apply.

Specific Duties:

Planning and Overseeing Research and Resource-Development Projects

Plan, oversee, and edit public-facing products in three categories:
- Empirical reports and analyses of trends in open inquiry in higher education, including original survey research, policy reviews, data analyses, literature reviews, and institutional profiles
- Normative arguments and prescriptive frameworks and models that recommend specific ways to think about, and change, the state of open inquiry in higher education
- Practical resources for use by HxA members and college/university leaders, including issue guides, advocacy toolkits, and training courses and modules
Oversee monitoring and evaluation of research and resource products; ensure feedback loops for ongoing improvement
Oversee the completion, launch, and maintenance of a new database about the state of open inquiry at specific colleges and universities
Provide analysis of internal data, by request
Speak to members and news media about research projects

Overseeing Academic Fellowships and the Segal Center for Academic Pluralism

Advise and coordinate with Visiting Faculty Fellows and Postdoctoral Fellows during the 2025-26 academic year
Plan and facilitate the weekly Open Inquiry Workshop that examines work-in-progress, academic guest presentations, and classic readings in open inquiry
Contribute to design and planning of Segal Center programs including the next stage of member engagement in research

Program Management and Team Leadership

Work in close coordination with communications, member engagement, partnerships, development, and executive teams
Manage and develop at least three direct reports and two contractors
Manage department budget, vendor relationships, and software tools
Cultivate partnerships with aligned organizations and researchers, as needed
Track program outcomes and institutional impact metrics
Other duties as assigned

Experience Desired:

Required Qualifications:

PhD, or Master’s degree with evidence of original empirical research
Strong project management and people management skills, with the ability to plan and implement a steady publication cadence
Clear and accessible writing style; experience in public communication of academic research preferred
Knowledge of relevant issues in academic culture, including intellectual freedom, viewpoint diversity, constructive disagreement, academic governance, and campus climate
Collaborative orientation, with an interest in cultivating intellectual community at the Center for Academic Pluralism and across HxA’s large, interdisciplinary network of scholars

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience as faculty or staff at a college or university
Technical background in a related area such as survey research methods, quantitative data analysis, or professional development for college faculty and staff
Familiarity with higher education data sources (e.g. IPEDS, HERI).
Public speaking and thought leadership experience

Essential Attributes:

Strong alignment with HxA's mission and values
Intellectual curiosity, humility, and dexterity, including positive collaboration across diverse viewpoints
Collaborative, organized, and accountable management style
Ability to work effectively in a small, nimble organization

To Apply: Submit an original cover letter and resume via this form.

The final salary offer will be determined based on the candidate's experience, qualifications, and other relevant factors. The stated range reflects the anticipated lower and higher bounds of the possible salary.

HxA also provides strong benefits, including contributions to medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance; employer contributions to retirement; paid time off; and professional development opportunities.

Heterodox Academy is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.