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Opposition Research Jobs (NOW HIRING)

TaskForce

Research and Administrative Manager

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 ...

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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.
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Opposition Research jobs near you
Infographic showing various Opposition Research job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% Locum Tenens, 20% Internship, 68% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 1% Summer. Highlights an 97% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution.

Opposition Research Intern Spring 2027

CPAC Foundation

Alexandria, VA • On-site

Other

Posted 6 days ago

Job description

Opposition Research Intern

The Opposition Research Intern documents the public record — statements, votes, filings, and published material — and verifies claims made in public debate. All work in this role is conducted using publicly available sources only, and every finding must be documented to a citable, retrievable source. Findings are delivered to staff with the source attached; the intern does not distribute research externally.

This role is ideal for: A returning intern with rigorous sourcing habits and the judgment to distinguish what is substantiated, what is inference, and what should not be written down at all.

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