The Center for Economy and Society, a division of the SNF Agora Institute at Johns Hopkins University, invites applications for the position of Research Director. We seek a scholar to coordinate and lead our Center's research agenda, publishing, and related programming, combining strategic coordination of faculty research initiatives with the development and execution of a cohesive, CES-branded research program. The Center for Economy and Society is a multidisciplinary research and teaching initiative dedicated to reinvigorating debates about politics, economics, and culture and identifying new possibilities for change.

Key Responsibilities: The Research Director will coordinate a unified research agenda in collaboration with affiliated faculty. They will develop coherent, center-branded research strategy and foster collaborative research projects that leverage expertise within our academic community. The position involves leading external communications through conferences, publications, and digital platforms. The Director will represent CES at academic conferences and policy forums while overseeing planning and dissemination of major research initiatives. Responsibilities include managing research budgets and coordinating grant applications for multi-investigator projects. The role focuses on building CES reputation as a leading voice in political economy. The position includes teaching responsibilities in the Moral and Political Economy Program and capacity to continue an aligned personal research program.

Qualifications: PhD in history, economics, sociology, political science, or closely-related field required. Candidates must demonstrate a track record of high-impact research and publication. We seek applicants with experience in research coordination or program management and strong communication skills for both academic and non-academic audiences. Candidates should show proven collaborative abilities and experience with digital communication platforms. Preferred qualifications include research center leadership experience and methodological flexibility across qualitative and quantitative approaches. We value grant writing success, policy engagement experience, and interdisciplinary collaboration background. The successful candidate will be appointed on the Research Professor track (open rank).

Application Requirements: Please submit a cover letter outlining your vision for research leadership and alignment with CES mission (up to 2 pages), a CV, a writing sample, and three letters of recommendation online via Interfolio at apply.interfolio.com/175740. Review of applications will begin on November 17, 2025 and remain open until the position is filled.

About Johns Hopkins University, SNF Agora Institute

The SNF Agora Institute at Johns Hopkins University was founded in 2017 with a $150 million grant from the Stavros Niarchos Foundation. We are a multi-disciplinary academic and public forum dedicated to strengthening global democracy by improving and expanding civic engagement and inclusive dialogue, and by supporting inquiry that leads to real-world change. By building integrated partnerships with scholars, practitioners, students, and the public, we use research to identify and sharpen strategic choices that members of the public and civic and political stakeholders around the world can make to realize the promise of democracy.

Connections working at Johns Hopkins University, SNF Agora Institute