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Impact Research Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Waabi

Research Scientist, Simulation Agents

Dallas, TX · On-site +1

$158K - $269K/yr

... to impact the world in a positive way. To learn more visit: www.waabi.ai The Behaviors team at ... As a Research Scientist on the Behaviors team, you will work closely with our multidisciplinary ...

Hedra

Research Scientist

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$200K - $325K/yr

You will have access to large-scale compute, the freedom to pursue high-impact research directions, and a direct path to publication at top venues. We are looking for researchers who are excited to ...

Waabi

Research Scientist, Simulation Agents

Phoenix, AZ · On-site +1

$158K - $269K/yr

... to impact the world in a positive way. To learn more visit: www.waabi.ai The Behaviors team at ... As a Research Scientist on the Behaviors team, you will work closely with our multidisciplinary ...

Waabi

Research Scientist, Simulation Agents

Pittsburgh, PA · On-site +1

$158K - $269K/yr

... to impact the world in a positive way. To learn more visit: www.waabi.ai The Behaviors team at ... As a Research Scientist on the Behaviors team, you will work closely with our multidisciplinary ...

Waabi

Research Scientist, Simulation Agents

Dallas, TX · On-site +1

$158K - $269K/yr

... to impact the world in a positive way. To learn more visit: www.waabi.ai The Behaviors team at ... As a Research Scientist on the Behaviors team, you will work closely with our multidisciplinary ...

Waabi

Research Scientist, Simulation Agents

Phoenix, AZ · On-site +1

$158K - $269K/yr

... to impact the world in a positive way. To learn more visit: www.waabi.ai The Behaviors team at ... As a Research Scientist on the Behaviors team, you will work closely with our multidisciplinary ...

Waabi

Research Scientist, Simulation Agents

Dallas, TX · On-site +1

$158K - $269K/yr

... to impact the world in a positive way. To learn more visit: www.waabi.ai The Behaviors team at ... As a Research Scientist on the Behaviors team, you will work closely with our multidisciplinary ...

Waabi

Research Scientist, Simulation Agents

Pittsburgh, PA · On-site +1

$158K - $269K/yr

... to impact the world in a positive way. To learn more visit: www.waabi.ai The Behaviors team at ... As a Research Scientist on the Behaviors team, you will work closely with our multidisciplinary ...

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All JobsImpact Research Jobs

Impact Research information

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$30K

$58.7K

$95K

How much do impact research jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 21, 2026, the average yearly pay for impact research in the United States is $58,746.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $44,000.00 and $70,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Impact Researcher, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Impact Researcher, you need strong analytical skills, a background in social sciences or related fields, and experience in research methodologies. Familiarity with data analysis software (such as R, SPSS, or STATA), survey design tools, and sometimes certifications in impact evaluation are typically required. Excellent communication, critical thinking, and collaboration skills help convey findings and work effectively with stakeholders. These competencies are essential to accurately assess program outcomes and inform decision-making for organizations seeking to maximize their social or environmental impact.

How does an Impact Researcher typically collaborate with program teams to evaluate project effectiveness?

Impact Researchers work closely with program teams to design evaluation frameworks, collect relevant data, and interpret results to assess the effectiveness of various initiatives. This collaboration often involves regular meetings to align on objectives, share findings, and adjust methodologies based on program needs. By fostering open communication and providing evidence-based insights, Impact Researchers help ensure that projects are both impactful and continuously improved. This teamwork is essential for translating research into actionable recommendations that drive organizational success.

What is the difference between Impact Research vs Data Analyst?

AspectImpact ResearchData Analyst
Required CredentialsMaster's or PhD in social sciences, research methodsBachelor's or Master's in statistics, data science, or related fields
Work EnvironmentResearch institutions, NGOs, government agenciesCorporate, consulting firms, government agencies
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in policy, social impact studies, nonprofit sectorsUsed in business analytics, market research, data-driven decision making

Impact Research and Data Analysts both analyze data, but Impact Research focuses on evaluating social or policy impacts, often requiring advanced research skills and qualitative methods. Data Analysts primarily handle large datasets to generate insights for business or operational decisions. While their skills overlap, Impact Research emphasizes social impact evaluation, whereas Data Analysts focus on data processing and reporting.

What is impact research?

Impact research is the systematic study and evaluation of the effects that programs, policies, or interventions have on individuals, communities, or broader systems. It aims to assess whether an initiative achieves its intended outcomes and to what extent it creates meaningful, measurable change. Impact researchers use a variety of methods such as surveys, interviews, and data analysis to gather evidence and inform decision-making. Their work helps organizations understand what works, improve approaches, and demonstrate accountability to stakeholders.
More about Impact Research jobs
What states have the most Impact Research jobs? States with the most job openings for Impact Research jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Impact Research jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Impact Research jobs are:
Impact Research jobs near you
Infographic showing various Impact Research job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 25% Internship, 49% Full Time, 13% Temporary, and 13% Contract. Highlights an 74% In-person, 13% Hybrid, and 13% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $58,746 per year, or $28.2 per hour.

Senior Impact Researcher

Constructive Dialogue

New York, NY • On-site, Remote

$130K - $140K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 12 days ago

Job description

About CDI
The Constructive Dialogue Institute (CDI) is a non-partisan, non-profit dedicated to equipping the next generation of Americans with the skills to communicate and collaborate across lines of difference. We work with U.S. colleges and universities by providing co-curricular programming for students, professional development for faculty and staff, and strategic guidance to leadership. Our goal is to foster constructive dialogue at every level of the institution and to create the conditions for lasting organizational change. CDI was co-founded by psychologist Jonathan Haidt, the bestselling author of The Righteous Mind and The Anxious Generation.
About the Role
CDI is looking for a Senior Impact Researcher to own our evaluation agenda end-to-end - designing and executing impact and efficacy studies, building the measurement systems and analytical workflows behind them, and translating findings into insight that reaches academic, practitioner, funder, and public audiences.
This is a role for someone who cares as much about how research lands as how it's designed - combining deep methodological expertise with a genuine commitment to public-facing communication. You'll work at the intersection of rigorous social science and real-world organizational impact, contributing to both CDI's mission and the broader field of constructive dialogue.
This role reports to the Senior Director of Research and Evaluation and works in close collaboration with three key peers on the Research and Evaluation team: the Research Scientist, who brings subject-matter expertise in moral psychology, dialogue, and bridge-building; the Senior Research Associate, who owns research operations, survey administration, and UX research; and the Senior Data Scientist, who owns the data infrastructure and reporting systems that evaluation workflows depend on.
Responsibilities
Program Evaluation & Impact Research (50%)
  • Own CDI's impact and efficacy research portfolio, including pre-post evaluations, quasi-experimental studies, and randomized controlled trials conducted in partnership with university collaborators.
  • Lead all phases of evaluation work: research design, measurement development, data collection planning, analysis, interpretation, and reporting.
  • Develop, revise, test, and validate assessment measures, including self-report surveys, behavioral indicators, and emerging measurement approaches.
  • Build and maintain reproducible analytical workflows and documentation standards that support rigorous, auditable research.

External Communication & Field Contribution (30%)
  • Through various written and oral formats, communicate research findings to diverse external audiences, including university partners, funders, academic and practitioner communities, and the general public.
  • Represent CDI's research with accuracy, clarity, and appropriate nuance, in a manner consistent with CDI's values and nonpartisan commitments.
  • Contribute to CDI's external credibility and thought leadership in the fields of evaluation, dialogue education, and bridge-building.
  • Collaborate with Growth, Education, and Product teams to translate findings into program improvements and partner-facing materials.

Research Systems & Collaboration (20%)
  • Partner with the Senior Data Scientist to ensure measurement and data collection workflows are well-integrated into reporting infrastructure and stakeholder-facing outputs.
  • Collaborate with the Senior Research Associate on qualitative data collection, coding, and synthesis, and on the operational systems that support study execution.
  • Build evaluation fluency across the team by helping colleagues develop shared language around measurement concepts, study findings, and their implications.
  • Collaborate cross-functionally with Product, Education, and Growth teams to align evaluation priorities with organizational needs.

About You
Required
  • 5+ years of experience leading applied social science research, including program evaluation or impact studies outside of purely academic settings.
  • Strong command of quantitative research design and advanced statistical methods (e.g., multilevel modeling, mediation/moderation, longitudinal analysis, experimental and quasi-experimental designs).
  • Experience designing and executing evaluations of interventions or programs, including in field (non-lab) settings.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including demonstrated ability to write for non-academic audiences.
  • Experience presenting or publishing research findings for practitioner, funder, or public audiences.

Preferred
  • Experience with mixed-methods research, including qualitative data collection and synthesis.
  • PhD in psychology, education, or a related quantitative social science field
  • Familiarity with higher education, civic learning, or dialogue/bridge-building contexts.
  • Experience programming in R; proficiency with reproducible research workflows.
  • Knowledge of implementation science or improvement science frameworks.
  • Experience collaborating with or advising product or education teams on measurement and evaluation.
Benefits
  • Compensation - $130,000-$140,000
  • A Mission-Driven Culture - we practice what we preach, so our work culture is characterized by intellectual humility, continuous improvement, and open-mindedness
  • Remote-First - CDI was founded as a remote-first organization, and we work hard to maintain a strong team culture across vast distances
  • Unlimited PTO - as well as 13 company holidays
  • Remote Work Support - up to $500 reimbursed for home office equipment (like desks, chairs, or webcams) and up to $50/month reimbursed for home internet or cell phone expenses
  • Other Benefits - employer-supported health, vision and dental plans, subsidized parental leave, 3% 401k match, short- and long-term disability insurance, life and AD&D insurance, $1,000 annual professional development budget
Role Specs
  • Reports to: Senior Director of Research and Evaluation
  • Schedule: Full-time, flexible within U.S. time zones
  • Target start date: ASAP
  • Location: Remote, must be based in the U.S.
  • Travel: twice a year for CDI's in-person gatherings, and approximately once a quarter to represent CDI at conferences or funder events.

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