1

Opposition Research Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Experience with opposition research, political data, or public records. * Background in editing or memo production. Benefits Health insurance and paid vacation, plus the opportunity to do work with ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Opposition Research information

What Are Opposition Research Jobs?

Opposition research jobs involve collecting information and creating reports about a political opponent. Your duties include looking through public records, fact-checking an opponent’s statements, and defining their political platform and issues. You then report your findings to members of your employer’s election campaign staff. Some researchers add information to a central database operated by a political party. You may use such a database to find previous information about the opponent. As an opposition researcher, you can work for a particular political candidate or different candidates associated with a political party. Some campaigns hire private firms to handle research responsibilities.

What is opposition research?

Opposition research is the practice of collecting and analyzing information about political opponents or competitors, typically to find facts that could be used to discredit or challenge them during a campaign. This can include public records, past statements, voting history, business dealings, and personal background. The goal is to uncover information that could influence public perception or campaign strategy. Opposition research is common in politics but is also used in business and legal contexts.

What is the difference between Opposition Research vs Political Campaign Research?

AspectOpposition ResearchPolitical Campaign Research
PurposeTo gather information on opponents to influence elections or policy decisionsTo understand voter behavior, preferences, and demographics for campaign strategy
CredentialsResearch skills, political knowledge, investigative techniquesPolling, data analysis, voter outreach experience
Work EnvironmentPolitical campaigns, consulting firms, government officesCampaign offices, polling firms, political consulting

While both roles involve research within the political industry, Opposition Research focuses on uncovering information about opponents to gain strategic advantages, whereas Political Campaign Research aims to understand voters and tailor campaign messages. Both require strong research skills and are integral to political strategy but serve different objectives.

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

To excel as an Opposition Researcher, you need strong analytical skills, investigative abilities, and a background in political science, journalism, or a related field. Familiarity with databases, public records, LexisNexis, and advanced internet search techniques is often required. Outstanding attention to detail, discretion, and effective written communication are crucial soft skills for this role. These competencies are vital for producing accurate, actionable intelligence that informs campaign strategies and decision-making.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals working in opposition research, and how can they be addressed?

Opposition research professionals often deal with tight deadlines, rapidly changing priorities, and the need to verify large volumes of information under pressure. Maintaining accuracy and objectivity while handling sensitive or controversial material can be challenging. Building strong organizational skills, developing meticulous research habits, and collaborating closely with campaign teams help ensure findings are credible, timely, and actionable. Leveraging technology and establishing a reliable network of sources also contribute to greater efficiency and reliability in this fast-paced field.
What cities are hiring for Opposition Research jobs? Cities with the most Opposition Research job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Opposition Research jobs? The most popular types of Opposition Research jobs are:
What states have the most Opposition Research jobs? States with the most job openings for Opposition Research jobs include:
Infographic showing various Opposition Research job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% Locum Tenens, 63% Full Time, 24% Part Time, 9% Temporary, and 2% Summer. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution.

Climate Urgency Research Director

Climate Power

Washington, DC • On-site

$120K - $123K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 24 days ago


Job description

Type of Position Full-time, exempt, regular
Team Research
Reports To Deputy Managing Director of Research
About This Role
Climate Power is seeking to add a Director of Climate Urgency Research to our research department to generate actionable research focused on extreme weather impacts, actions by the administration and relevant federal agencies (FEMA, NOAA, NWS), the home insurance industry, and other applicable topics. The Climate Urgency Research Director is expected to be a leader on research strategy for the Climate Urgency campaign and to represent the Research team within the campaign vertical.
Primary Responsibilities
  • Work with the Deputy Managing Director of Research to develop and execute overall departmental strategy for the Climate Urgency campaign and opposition research strategy focused on relevant agency heads and key administration officials.
  • Represent the department in organization-wide Climate Urgency campaign meetings and planning.
  • Monitor developments in the issue area by relevant federal agencies, including FEMA, NOAA, NWS, and USFS.
  • Develop an opposition research strategy focused on relevant agency heads and key administration officials.
  • Manage and train a Senior Research Associate, directing day-to-day tasks and managing contributions to long-term research projects.
  • Work across the organization, including directly with the Climate Urgency campaign, to manage research-driven projects in the issue area.
  • Oversee the Senior Research Associate's tracking and reporting on business news from the home insurance industry, including financial filings and earnings calls.
  • Collaborate with partners on opposition research items and manage consultants' relevant work in the issue area.
  • Generate actionable research that can be used in communications materials, media pitches, and campaign tactics to hold powerful interests and individuals accountable.
  • Produce polling and ad backups in their issue area on short deadlines, conduct fact-checks, and approve applicable content in outbound materials.
  • Work with the Research Deputy Managing Director and Communications team to pitch research findings to media outlets.
  • Draft reports, fact sheets, backgrounders and other Climate Urgency research and communications materials, and engage in rapid response work.

Additional responsibilities may be assigned as need and capacity dictates.
Essential Qualifications
  • 7 years of relevant prior work experience in political research, which may include working for a campaign or issue advocacy organization. Relevant work experience may include, but is not limited to:
    • Opposition research at a campaign, campaign committee, or PAC
    • Working on energy/climate policy or corporate accountability issues in a political, advocacy, or policymaking environment OR
    • Working as an analyst or journalist covering extreme weather or climate change.
  • 3 years of people and/or project management experience; demonstrated success in leading departments and diverse teams and managing complex projects.
  • Demonstrated experience with opposition research and development of hard-hitting original research.
  • Must be able to work independently, but also collaboratively with diverse groups of people, communities, and partners.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • Strong organizational skills and a demonstrated ability to meet deadlines and manage competing priorities with minimal direct supervision.
  • Strong news judgment and knowledge of the political media landscape.
  • Strong familiarity with research tools, including LexisNexis, public records, and campaign finance filings.
  • Strong proficiency in Google Workspace and Airtable preferred.
  • Interest in climate justice is a plus!

If you do not meet all of the requirements and believe you are a good fit, we encourage you to apply, but be sure to uplift all experience that aligns with both our essential and desired qualifications.
Salary & Benefits Package
Climate Power offers a competitive compensation package, including salaries that are commensurate with and directly tied to years of experience. Climate Power believes years of experience are a foundational element of equitable pay, and the primary metric used to determine one's salary. The full salary range for this role is listed below, with a given set of years correlating to a fixed 'step' or placement within a salary range. Salaries are otherwise non-negotiable, and not impacted by merit-based performance evaluations or other flexible and/or subjective factors.
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Step 4
Step 5
Step 6
Step 7
Step 8
Step 9
Years
7<>8
8<>9
9<>10
10<>12
12<>14
14<>16
16<>18
18<>21
21+
Annual Salary
$120,499
$123,376
$126,253
$129,130
$132,007
$134,885
$137,762
$140,639
$143,516
Climate Power also offers a competitive benefits package, including the following:
  • Medical, Dental, and Vision insurances
    • 100% paid for employee
    • 50% for their dependents
  • Unlimited Paid Time off, including every other Friday and extended summer, fall, and winter breaks
  • 401(k) with 5% match
  • Education Assistance, including student loan repayment program
  • Sabbatical Leave
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Monthly Tech Allowance
  • Cell Phone Stipend
  • Work From Home Stipend, for home office furniture
  • Treat Yourself Funds

The terms of your benefits and any applicable waiting period(s) are governed by relevant plan documents and any and all applicable policies, and are subject to change or discontinuation by the organization.
About Climate Power
Climate Power is a strategic communications organization focused on winning the politics of climate. We're educating Americans about our climate progress, highlighting how clean energy investments benefit local communities, and holding Big Oil accountable for polluting our air and water. We use data-backed messages to pave a path for bold action and shine a light on the price of ignoring the climate crisis would cost our health, economy, and future generations.
It's our job to tell the story of how climate action and clean energy investment are rebuilding our economy, lowering energy costs, and protecting our planet for future generations. We call out disinformation from bad actors like the Big Oil lobby, and make the climate stakes real for voters.
Location & Hours of Operations
Climate Power is a remote-first organization based in Washington, DC. This position can be located anywhere in the United States, but must be able to work Monday - Friday 9 am - 6 pm EST, plus weekends and evenings as the work dictates. Occasional travel is required as needed, typically 3-4 times per year.
Our Hiring Timeline and Process
We are accepting applications on a rolling basis and will continue to interview until the position is filled (posting will remain up until position filled).
An ideal start date would be before or by July 6, 2026.
Our interview process generally involves 2-3 rounds of interviews, ranging in length from 30-60 minutes. All interviews will be conducted via Google Meet or Zoom. Successful candidates that move forward in the hiring process, will be invited to complete a skills assessment activity (for which they will receive compensation) and will undergo a vetting process, including reference and background check.
Climate Power is committed to fostering, cultivating and preserving a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion. We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from all qualified candidates regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, or sexual orientation.
Additionally, Climate Power is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, Climate Power will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations for the interview and hiring process.
If reasonable accommodation is needed in the interview process, please accessibility@climatepower.us. Requests for updates in the hiring/interview process or other solicitations, should not be sent to this email.