College Park, Maryland, United States · Hybrid
$123k–$135k/yr
POSITION TITLE: Social Science Research, Director WHO WE ARE: As a Federation, AIP advances the success of a community of more than 30 independent scientific organizations. They, in turn, support hundreds of thousands of…
Skills: Social Science Research, Qualitative Research, Quantitative Research, Mixed-Methods Research, Survey Methodology
College Park, Maryland, United States · Hybrid
$123k–$135k/yr
POSITION TITLE: Science Policy News, Editorial Director WHO WE ARE: As a Federation, AIP advances the success of a community of more than 30 independent scientific organizations. They, in turn, support hundreds of thousa…
Skills: Policy Reporting, Science Journalism, Editorial Leadership, U.S. Federal Science Policy, Budget Process Analysis
College Park, Maryland, United States • Hybrid
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The Director leads a multidisciplinary team of researchers to conduct social science research on the physical sciences enterprise, including longitudinal surveys and externally funded initiatives. They are responsible for managing a $1.5 million budget and translating complex data into actionable insights for policymakers and academic leaders.
Candidates should have significant experience leading complex social science research portfolios and managing multidisciplinary teams. A Ph.D. or advanced degree in sociology, economics, public policy, or a related field is preferred.
POSITION TITLE: Social Science Research, Director
WHO WE ARE: As a Federation, AIP advances the success of a community of more than 30 independent scientific organizations. They, in turn, support hundreds of thousands of professionals across many scientific and engineering disciplines. AIP creates shared spaces — forums, conversations, connections — where individual action among our Member Organizations becomes collective impact. We want you to become a part of our mission and join our dynamic team!
SUMMARY: The Director of Social Science Research is a senior leadership position within our research team, responsible for leading social science research initiatives focused on understanding and strengthening the physical sciences enterprise. Working closely with the Chief Research Officer, the Director leads a multidisciplinary team of social scientists, data scientists, survey researchers, and research analysts conducting research on higher education, workforce pathways, scientific communities, participation and opportunity, scientific societies, and the conditions that shape scientific progress.
The Director oversees a portfolio that includes longstanding longitudinal surveys, annual research agenda projects, externally funded initiatives, and strategically aligned contract research. Through this work, the Director helps generate actionable insights for AIP Member Organizations, researchers, academic leaders, policymakers, and the broader scientific community.
This role offers the opportunity to steward and evolve one of the longest-running social science research programs focused on the scientific enterprise in the United States. The Director will lead a team of nine researchers, oversee a research portfolio with an annual operating budget of approximately $1.5 million, and help shape the next generation of research on the future of the physical sciences enterprise.
Research Program Leadership: Leads the social science research portfolio, including annual research agenda projects, longitudinal studies, externally funded initiatives, and strategic contract research. Oversees and evolves surveys, studies, and data assets to ensure their continued relevance and value to the physical sciences community. Identifies emerging trends, challenges, and opportunities and develops research that informs decision-making across the scientific enterprise.
Team Leadership and Operations: Leads a multidisciplinary team of approximately nine researchers, data scientists, and analysts. Oversees an annual budget of approximately $1.5 million and ensures the effective allocation of staff, contractor, and financial resources. Fosters a collaborative, high-performing culture that supports professional growth, innovation, and continuous improvement.
Research Excellence and Insight: Serves as AIP’s senior authority on social science research methodology, guiding the design and execution of qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods studies. Ensures research activities are rigorous, ethical, and aligned with best practices. Produces actionable insights that support Member Organizations, researchers, academic leaders, policymakers, and other stakeholders.
Thought Leadership and External Engagement: Represents AIP as a visible leader in the research community through publications, presentations, webinars, reports, and other forums. Builds relationships with scientific societies, institutional leaders, funders, and external partners while advancing the visibility, relevance, and impact of AIP’s research.
Partnership Development and Portfolio Growth: Cultivates strategic partnerships with Member Organizations, collaborators, funders, and other stakeholders. Works closely with the Chief Research Officer and Grants & Development Office to pursue funding, partnership, and growth opportunities that strengthen the reach, sustainability, and long-term impact of AIP’s research portfolio.
People and Organizational Leadership
Strategic Thinking and Influence
Partnership and Resource Development
Preferred Qualifications
TO APPLY: Include a resume and a cover letter. We encourage you to apply even if your experience does not fully match the position description. At AIP, we embrace considering people from a diversity of backgrounds and career experiences.
COMPENSATION: $122,828.00 - $135,111.00
WORKING AT AIP: AIP embraces a flexible hybrid work environment to balance in-person collaborative work with remote work. The team works in a flexible, hybrid schedule and reports to our offices in College Park, Maryland and Washington, DC, as needed. Employees are required to reside in the DC Metro regions of Maryland, Virginia, or Washington, DC.
We offer comprehensive benefits, including generous paid time off, medical/dental/vision coverage, an annual retirement contribution of 10% of base pay, tuition assistance, commuter benefits, and more. Your colleagues at AIP are welcoming, gracious, and eager to help each other succeed. With our commitment to community service, institute-wide social opportunities, and ongoing learning and development, AIP is a rewarding place to work.
ABOUT AIP: Scientific discovery shapes our lives every day. And AIP empowers the organizations and people that make those discoveries possible.
As a Federation, AIP advances the success of a community of more than 30 independent scientific organizations. They, in turn, support hundreds of thousands of professionals across many scientific and engineering disciplines. AIP creates shared spaces — forums, conversations, connections — where individual action among our Member Organizations becomes collective impact.
As an Institute, AIP preserves the history of discovery so the past can guide the future. We study how research is done, who participates, and what holds people back or propels them to succeed. Our findings inform policy, practice, and decision-making across the physical sciences. We are especially focused on the next generation of physical scientists and committed to ensuring talent from anywhere can thrive in our fields.
Humanity needs science. And science needs people and organizations working together to tackle our planet’s toughest challenges. Together, we can advance science, empower scientists, and ensure discovery continues to shape our lives.
Commitment to Non-Discrimination: All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to disability, status as a protected veteran or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
The American Institute of Physics (AIP) advances, promotes, and serves the physical sciences for the benefit of humanity. As both a federation of physical science societies and an institute, AIP offers programs, products, and services that empower physical scientists to continue to change our world and advance the frontiers of knowledge. AIP Member Societies cover a broad range of fields in the physical sciences and collectively represent more than 120,000 scientists, engineers, educators and students in the global physical sciences community. They include the Acoustical Society of America (ASA), the American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM), the American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT), the American Astronomical Society (AAS), ACA: The Structural Science Society, the American Meteorological Society (AMS), the American Physical Society (APS), AVS: Science & Technology of Materials, Interfaces, and Processing, Optica, and the Society of Rheology (SoR). In 2020, the AIP Foundation was launched to directly support AIP programs that preserve and celebrate the history of physics, foster support for future generations of physicists, and create a more equitable and accessible field for all. AIP Publishing is a wholly owned not-for-profit subsidiary of the American Institute of Physics.
Offices: American Center for Physics, One Physics Ellipse, College Park, MD 20740, US · 1305 Walt Whitman Rd, 300, Melville, NY 11747, US
The American Institute of Physics (AIP) advances, promotes, and serves the physical sciences for the benefit of humanity. As both a federation of physical science societies and an institute, AIP offers programs, products, and services that empower physical scientists to continue to change our world and advance the frontiers of knowledge. AIP Member Societies cover a broad range of fields in the physical sciences and collectively represent more than 120,000 scientists, engineers, educators and students in the global physical sciences community. They include the Acoustical Society of America (ASA), the American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM), the American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT), the American Astronomical Society (AAS), ACA: The Structural Science Society, the American Meteorological Society (AMS), the American Physical Society (APS), AVS: Science & Technology of Materials, Interfaces, and Processing, Optica, and the Society of Rheology (SoR). In 2020, the AIP Foundation was launched to directly support AIP programs that preserve and celebrate the history of physics, foster support for future generations of physicists, and create a more equitable and accessible field for all. AIP Publishing is a wholly owned not-for-profit subsidiary of the American Institute of Physics.
Offices: American Center for Physics, One Physics Ellipse, College Park, MD 20740, US · 1305 Walt Whitman Rd, 300, Melville, NY 11747, US
