Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Justice Research Scientist

🎯 Role Definition

As a Justice Research Scientist, you will be at the forefront of our mission to create a more effective, equitable, and data-informed justice system. You will serve as a subject matter expert, designing and executing rigorous quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods research projects from inception to dissemination. This role involves analyzing complex datasets, evaluating policy and program impacts, and translating sophisticated findings into actionable recommendations for policymakers, practitioners, and community stakeholders. You are a critical thinker and storyteller who uses data to illuminate challenges, identify opportunities, and drive meaningful, positive change in public safety and criminal justice.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Criminal Justice Policy Analyst
Social Science Research Assistant / Associate
Data Analyst (with a focus on public or social sector data)

Advancement To:

Senior or Principal Research Scientist
Director of Research and Evaluation
Chief Science Officer

Lateral Moves:

Senior Policy Advisor
Data Science Manager (Justice-focused)

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Design and execute complex quantitative and qualitative research studies to evaluate the effectiveness and equity of criminal justice programs, interventions, and policies.
Employ advanced statistical methods, including regression analysis, survival analysis, quasi-experimental designs, and predictive modeling, to analyze large-scale administrative datasets from justice agencies.
Lead the full lifecycle of research projects, from initial conceptualization and proposal writing to data collection, rigorous analysis, and the creation of final reports and publications.
Translate complex statistical findings and research results into clear, compelling, and actionable insights for a diverse audience, including executive leadership, policymakers, practitioners, and the public.
Develop, validate, and deploy data collection instruments such as surveys, interview protocols, and focus group guides for comprehensive qualitative and mixed-methods research.
Prepare and publish research findings in a variety of formats, including peer-reviewed journals, policy briefs, technical reports, and white papers to contribute to the broader field of justice research.
Create dynamic and informative data visualizations, interactive dashboards, and geospatial maps to effectively communicate trends, patterns, and key findings in justice system data.
Manage, clean, and merge large, complex, and sensitive administrative datasets, ensuring the highest standards of data integrity, security, and compliance with privacy regulations and IRB protocols.
Collaborate directly with justice system stakeholders, including law enforcement, courts, corrections, and community-based organizations, to understand their research needs and facilitate data-sharing agreements.
Evaluate the implementation fidelity and systemic impact of major justice reform initiatives, providing evidence-backed recommendations for continuous improvement and strategic scalability.
Conduct comprehensive literature reviews and environmental scans to identify evidence-based practices and inform the direction of new and ongoing research initiatives.
Present research methodologies and key findings at national conferences, stakeholder convenings, legislative briefings, and internal leadership meetings.
Secure research funding by leading and contributing to the development of competitive grant proposals for federal, state, and foundational funding opportunities.
Mentor and provide technical guidance to junior research staff, interns, and data analysts, fostering their skills in research design, analytical techniques, and professional development.
Perform geographic information system (GIS) analysis to explore and visualize spatial patterns of crime, justice system contact, and resource allocation.
Serve as a key subject matter expert on justice system data sources, research methodologies, and evidence-based policy for both internal teams and external partners.
Design and manage randomized controlled trials (RCTs) or other rigorous experimental designs to definitively assess the causal impact of new justice interventions.
Monitor and interpret shifts in local, state, and federal justice policy, analyzing their potential impact on study populations and system-wide outcomes.
Ensure all research activities strictly adhere to the highest ethical standards, principles of scientific integrity, and protection of human subjects.
Develop and test theoretical hypotheses related to justice system processes, decision-making, and the drivers of disparate outcomes for different demographic groups.

Secondary Functions

Support ad-hoc data requests and exploratory data analysis to answer time-sensitive questions from leadership and partner agencies.
Contribute to the organization's overarching data strategy and the development of its research and learning roadmap.
Collaborate with engineering and IT teams to translate data needs into technical requirements for data infrastructure and tooling.
Participate in sprint planning, retrospectives, and other agile ceremonies as part of a multidisciplinary project team.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Advanced Statistical Analysis: Expertise in advanced statistical methods (e.g., multivariate regression, survival analysis, matching techniques, interrupted time series) and experimental/quasi-experimental research design.
Statistical Software: High proficiency in at least one statistical software package such as R (preferred), Stata, SPSS, or SAS.
Data Manipulation & Programming: Strong skills in data management and analysis using programming languages like Python (with pandas, NumPy) and/or SQL for querying complex relational databases.
Data Visualization: Demonstrated ability to create clear and compelling data visualizations and dashboards using tools like Tableau, Power BI, R Shiny, or Python libraries (Matplotlib, Seaborn).
Qualitative Research: Proficiency in qualitative methods, including conducting interviews and focus groups, and using software for qualitative analysis (e.g., NVivo, Dedoose).
Survey Design & Implementation: Experience designing, validating, and administering surveys using platforms such as Qualtrics or SurveyMonkey.

Soft Skills

Critical Thinking & Problem-Solving: Ability to deconstruct complex problems, identify key questions, and apply rigorous analytical frameworks to find solutions.
Communication & Translation: Exceptional ability to communicate complex technical concepts and research findings clearly and concisely to non-technical audiences, both verbally and in writing.
Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement: Proven success working collaboratively in team environments and building strong, trust-based relationships with external partners and stakeholders.
Intellectual Curiosity: A strong desire to learn, ask probing questions, and explore new methodologies to address challenging social problems.
Project Management: Excellent organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple research projects simultaneously, adhering to deadlines and budgets.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Master's degree in a relevant social science, quantitative, or public policy field.

Preferred Education:

Ph.D. in a relevant field, providing extensive training in advanced research design and statistical methods.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Criminology / Criminal Justice
Sociology
Public Policy
Economics
Political Science
Statistics
Psychology

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

3-7 years of post-graduate experience conducting applied research in a criminal justice, public policy, or social science setting.

Preferred:

Experience managing research projects, securing grant funding, and a track record of publications in peer-reviewed journals or widely-circulated policy reports. Experience working directly with government administrative data is highly desirable.