Assistant Director of Research

Job Posting Title: Assistant Director of Research ---- Hiring Department: Clements Center for National Security ---- Position Open To: All Applicants ---- Weekly Scheduled Hours: 40 ---- FLSA Status: Exempt from FLSA ---- Earliest Start Date: Immediately ---- Position Duration: Expected to Continue ---- Location: AUSTIN, TX ---- Job Details: General Notes The Clements Center for National Security at The University of Texas at Austin draws on the best insights of diplomatic and military history with the mission to train the next generation of national security leaders. For more information on The Clements Center, please visit: Your skills will make a difference. You’ll be working for a university that is internationally recognized for our academic programs and research. Your work will contribute to operational excellence and enhance the student experience. If you’re the type of person that wants to know your work has meaning and impact, you’ll like working in our department and for UT Austin. UT Austin provides an outstanding benefits package including but not limited to: Competitive health benefits (employee premiums covered at 100%, family premiums at 50%) Voluntary Vision, Dental, Life, and Disability insurance options Generous paid vacation, sick time, and holidays Teachers Retirement System of Texas, a defined benefit retirement plan, with employer matching funds Additional Voluntary Retirement Programs: Tax Sheltered Annuity 403(b) and a Deferred Compensation program 457(b) Flexible spending account options for medical and childcare expenses Robust free training access through LinkedIn Learning plus professional conference opportunities Tuition assistance Expansive employee discount program including athletic tickets Free access to UT Austin's libraries and museums with staff ID card Free rides on all UT Shuttle and Austin CapMetro buses with staff ID card For more details, please see: and Must be authorized to work in the U.S. on a full-time basis for any employer without sponsorship. Purpose The Assistant Director of Research supports the strategic growth and daily management of the Clements Center’s policy research portfolio. This role oversees research operations, scholar and fellow programs, research dissemination, partnership development, and research-related events to advance the Center’s mission and engagement with policymakers, scholars, and the public. Responsibilities Collaborates closely with the Director of Research to design and execute a strategic plan for expanding the Clements Center’s policy research portfolio, which includes launching new research initiatives on contemporary national security challenges. Manages day-to-day research operations, including proposal development, project tracking, events, social media, marketing, and scholar support. Coordinates and participates in the dissemination of policy research to the private sector as well as state and federal government, including through private briefings and public engagement activities. Oversees a highly selective student fellow program, including the recruitment, selection, mentorship, project supervision, and professional development of undergraduate and graduate fellows. The assistant director will also serve as the point of contact for all Clements Center research fellows and visiting fellows. Builds and maintains partnerships with scholars, policymakers, and peer institutions to foster collaborative research, convene high-level events, and translate historical insights into actionable policy recommendations. Through and with the Clements Center’s events team, leads planning, resourcing, and execution of all public and private events which originate with research activity. Works closely with the Clements Center’s events, communications, and student programs teams to synchronize schedules and efforts. Required Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in public policy, political science, international relations, history, or a related field. Five or more years of progressively responsible professional experience in research administration, policy research, academic programs, government affairs, or a related field. Demonstrated experience managing complex projects, initiatives, or research programs with multiple stakeholders and competing priorities. Experience coordinating events, public engagement activities, or policy briefings. Experience developing and maintaining collaborative relationships with scholars, policymakers, students, and external partners. Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to synthesize and present research findings to various audiences. Demonstrated strategic planning, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. Experience supervising, mentoring, or supporting students, fellows, or professional staff. Proven ability to work collaboratively across teams and exercise sound judgment in a fast-paced environment. Relevant experience in national security, foreign policy, public policy, or related research areas. Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate. Preferred Qualifications Advanced degree in public policy, international relations, political science, history, or a related field. Experience working in a university research center, think tank, government agency, or policy organization. Experience with proposal development, grant administration, or research portfolio management. Knowledge of contemporary national security and foreign policy issues. Experience overseeing fellowship, scholar, or academic engagement programs. Experience supporting strategic communications, social media, or marketing initiatives related to research or public programs. Familiarity with higher education administrative processes and organizational structures. Demonstrated ability to convene high-level stakeholders and facilitate partnerships across academic, public, and private sectors. Experience planning and executing public and private events, conferences, or policy forums. Salary Range $100,000 + depending on qualifications Working Conditions This position is based in Austin, TX on the UT Main Campus This position is not eligible for remote work. May work around standard office conditions. Repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation. Occasional early morning, night and weekend work is expected/required. Required Materials Resume/CV 3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor Letter of interest Important for applicants who are NOT current university employees or contingent workers: You will be prompted to submit your resume the first time you apply, then you will be provided an option to upload a new Resume for subsequent applications. Any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) will be uploaded in the Application Questions section; you will be able to multi-select additional files. Before submitting your online job application, ensure that ALL Required Materials have been uploaded. Once your job application has been submitted, you cannot make changes. Important for Current university employees and contingent workers: As a current university employee or contingent worker, you MUST apply within Workday by searching for Find UT Jobs. If you are a current University employee, log-in to Workday, navigate to your Worker Profile, click the Career link in the left hand navigation menu and then update the sections in your Professional Profile before you apply. This information will be pulled in to your application. The application is one page and you will be prompted to upload your resume. In addition, you must respond to the application questions presented to upload any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) that were noted above. ---- Employment Eligibility: Regular staff who have been employed in their current position for the last six continuous months are eligible for openings being recruited for through University-Wide or Open Recruiting, to include both promotional opportunities and lateral transfers. Staff who are promotion/transfer eligible may apply for positions without supervisor approval. ---- Retirement Plan Eligibility: The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length. ---- Background Checks: A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position. ---- Equal Opportunity Employer: The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions. ---- Pay Transparency: The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. ---- Employment Eligibility Verification: If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form. You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States. Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment. Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university. ---- E-Verify: The University of Texas at Austin use E-Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015. The university’s company ID number for purposes of E-Verify is 854197. For more information about E-Verify, please see the following: E-Verify Poster (English and Spanish) [PDF] Right to Work Poster (English) [PDF] Right to Work Poster (Spanish) [PDF] ---- Compliance: Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act). If this position is identified a Campus Security Authority (Clery Act), you will be notified and provided resources for reporting. Responsible employees under Title IX are defined and outlined in HOP-3031. The Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. You may access the most recent report here or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe Street, UTA 2.206, Austin, Texas 78701. Start Here, Change the World At The University of Texas at Austin, tradition meets innovation in the heart of a city that frequents lists of the best places to live and work. Named by Forbes as one of America's Best Large Employers for the sixth year in a row in 2025, UT offers both a dynamic work environment and a gateway to vibrant local culture. Whether you're at the forefront of the student experience, conducting world-changing research or supporting the engine that drives Texas’ flagship university, working at UT means making a lasting impact on our city, our state and our world. Our more than 20,000 faculty and staff empower 55,000+ students to challenge ideas, pursue passions and shape their futures. Joining UT, you’ll become part of a community dedicated to making a meaningful impact on campus and throughout the world. 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