Skip Navigation
External Candidates

Working at MIT offers opportunities that just aren’t found anywhere else, including generous and unique benefits that help to ensure that MIT employees are healthy, supported, and enjoy a fulfilling work/life balance. Discover more about what it's like to work at MIT.

We welcome people from all walks of life to bring their talent, ideas, and experience to our community. We value diversity and strongly encourage applications from individuals from all identities and backgrounds – like yours. If you want to be part of our exceptional, multicultural, collaborative, and inclusive community, then take a look at this opportunity.

Director of Research and Principal Research Scientist, Center for International Studies (CIS)
  • Job Number: 22478
  • Functional Area: Research - Social Science
  • Department: Center for International Studies
  • School Area: Humanities, Arts, & Social Sciences
  • Employment Type: Full-Time
  • Employment Category: Exempt
  • Visa Sponsorship Available: No
  • Schedule: M-F


Job Description

DIRECTOR OF RESEARCH/PRINCIPAL RESEARCH SCIENTIST, MIT Center for International Studies, to be responsible for overseeing research activities, data administration, visiting scholar engagement, and fellowships.  Research activities will include grant- and visitor-related research and engagements hosted by the center, including the review and oversight of various awards; and maintaining an active research agenda related to the mission of the center.  Will report directly to the center director to develop a strategic approach to research initiatives and in consultation with other center leadership to disseminate key findings to the MIT and broader communities.  

Job Requirements

REQUIRED: Ph.D. in a social science field related to international affairs and a strong record of scholarly publication; at least two years of experience studying, working, and/or conducting research overseas; at least two years of experience as a researcher at research universities or other research organizations (external to the  Ph.D.-granting institution); and discretion and judgment with confidential information and/or issues.  PREFERRED:  fluency in at least one foreign language, advanced-level quantitative analysis and/or GIS analysis skills, and experience developing databases.  Job #22478

May travel up to six weeks a year for research, conferences, and exchanges. May also to work up to fifteen additional days and/or nights a year for special events, workshops, etc.

To be considered for this position, application materials must be submitted by September 30, 2023.

3/13/23