Human Rights Watch
Legal
SeniorResearcher,CriminalJustice
Neural analysis suggests this role is
optimal for Senior candidates.
“Senior Researcher, Criminal Justice at Human Rights Watch. Skills: Criminal justice, Human rights, Research, Advocacy. Monitor legal developments. Monitor policy developments”
What You'll Achieve.
Change key US human rights issues; Advance human rights; Evaluate human rights violations; Identify goals for remedy; Identify targets for remedy; Engage in advocacy for change; Complement coalition work; Enhance coalition work; Change abusive laws; Change abusive policies; Change abusive practices; Press human rights issues; Generate public support
Industry & Context.
Identifying trends; Identifying issues; Analyzing abuses; Investigating factors; Investigating avenues; Developing strategies; Responding to events; Thinking creatively; Thinking strategically
Work from office 3 days/week, Flexible hours, Domestic travel, International travel, Extensive research time, Extensive advocacy time
What They're Looking For.
Must Have
Deep subject matter expertise in policing, Deep subject matter expertise in use of force, Deep subject matter expertise in law enforcement racial justice, Deep subject matter expertise in systemic discrimination, Deep subject matter expertise in racial due process, Deep subject matter expertise in criminal legal system accountability, Deep subject matter expertise in police misconduct accountability, Deep subject matter expertise in law enforcement harms accountability, Qualitative research skills, Quantitative research skills, Legal analysis skills, Policy review skills, Data interpretation skills, Expertise in designing research projects, Expertise in leading research projects, Recognized expert in criminal justice, Ability to write accurate reports, Ability to write unbiased reports, Ability to write comprehensive reports, Ability to write timely reports, Ability to write persuasive reports, Ability to write well-organized reports, Ability to edit HRW colleagues' work, Valid US work authorization
Nice to Have
Spanish language skills
What You'll Do.
Monitor legal developments
Monitor policy developments
Identify criminal legal system trends
Identify emerging issues
Investigate contributing factors
Investigate avenues for change
Make recommendations on research projects
Make recommendations on advocacy projects
Develop research projects
Lead research projects
Develop advocacy projects
Lead advocacy projects
Research criminal justice policies
Research criminal justice practices
Document human rights concerns
Interview affected persons
Interview professionals
Undertake desk research
File public records requests
Access public documents
Create multimedia products
Write briefing papers
Write regulatory comments
Write policy comments
Write legislative comments
Write advocacy letters
Write submissions to bodies
Work closely with coalitions
Bring HRW contributions to coalitions
Bring coalition needs to HRW planning
Identify reform opportunities
Communicate with system participants
Communicate with system observers
Develop advocacy strategies
Implement advocacy strategies
Project HRW concerns into debates
Change abusive policies
Change abusive practices
Present concerns to government officials
Present concerns to opinion leaders
Present concerns to international institutions
Respond to news events
Press human rights issues
Make public interventions
Raise concerns in public debate
Respond to media queries
Respond to public queries
Respond to colleague queries
Use web for public support
Use social media for public support
Liaise with HRW staff
Collaborate on projects
Ensure coordination of research
Ensure coordination of advocacy
Assist with building donor relationships
Travel internationally
How You'll Work.
Team & Collaboration
Internal HRW policy discussions; Coalitions led by others; Building new alliances; HRW strategic planning; Partnership with Director; HRW staff collaboration; International staff collaboration; Local partners; Government officials; Media; External stakeholders
Communication Scope
Public speaking; Writing reports; Writing multimedia products; Writing briefing papers; Writing comments; Writing letters; Writing releases; Writing op-eds; Writing submissions; Media interviews; Public interventions; Presenting concerns
Process & Methodology
Designing research projects, Leading research projects, Developing advocacy strategies, Implementing advocacy strategies, Planning skills, Organizing skills
Full Job Description
FULL-TIME JOB VACANCY Senior Researcher, Criminal Justice United States Program Multiple US Locations Considered Application Deadline: July 13th, 2026 The Opportunity The United States Program (USP) of Human Rights Watch (HRW) is seeking a Senior Researcher to play a leadership role within the US Program in identifying, researching, and advocating to change key US human rights issues as they relate to criminal justice. The US Program works to advance human rights in three priority areas -- criminal justice, immigration, and democracy -- in ways that center racial justice and equity. In partnership with allied organizations, USP undertakes research and provides expertise to evaluate ongoing human rights violations in the US, identifies goals and targets for remedy, and engages in advocacy for change. In addition to its own work, USP collaborates with the multiple HRW thematic and regional divisions that work in the United States as well. The Senior Researcher will lead USP’s criminal justice research and advocacy. This role reports to the Director of the US Program, based in New York. The successful candidate will be based within commuting distance of one of HRW’s US offices (New York, Washington DC, Chicago, Miami, Los Angeles, or San Francisco) and may be expected to work from office up to 3 days per week. Candidate Profile: The Senior Researcher should have demonstrated experience and deep subject matter expertise in criminalization; policing, use of force, and other law enforcement practices; racial justice and systemic discrimination, including racial profiling; due process and other criminal legal system processes; and accountability for police misconduct and other law enforcement harms. The ideal candidate will have strong qualitative and quantitative research skills, including legal analysis, policy review, and data interpretation and will have demonstrated expertise in designing and leading complex research projects from inception through publication. The id
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