Behavioral Scientist

Part-Time: Up to 20 hours/week

About Yaqeen Institute

Yaqeen is a nonprofit on a mission to pioneer Islamic research in creative, cutting-edge formats tailored to meet people where they are. We work to dismantle doubts through well-researched truths, nurture conviction by strengthening belief with practical, spiritual guidance, and inspire contribution by reviving our tradition of faithful changemakers, insha’Allah. We’re seeking like-minded professionals who embody Islamic values including sincerity, excellence, and compassion, and want to make a difference in the faith of people worldwide.

About the role

Yaqeen Institute is seeking a qualified Behavioral Scientist, who will play a critical role in the Global Muslim Studies Division by advising the strategic growth of the Division while supporting the execution of empirical research exploring the religious, social, and psychological dynamics of Muslim populations worldwide. Reporting to the Director of Global Data Studies, this researcher will be a self-starter and effectively manage deadlines and deliverables, leveraging quantitative and qualitative methods to generate data-driven insights that support Yaqeen Institute’s mission of dismantling doubts, nurturing conviction, and inspiring contribution.

The ideal candidate is a rigorous academic researcher capable of managing the full lifecycle of a study, from instrument design and data collection to advanced statistical analysis and peer-reviewed publication, while ensuring alignment with Islamic values and organizational research priorities. Experience with analogous studies at other research institutes, universities, think tanks, and similar organizations is particularly valued.

The primary objective of this position is to bolster the Division’s domain knowledge with best practices and technical expertise, while augmenting its execution capacity to produce studies at the highest levels of academic and religious technical quality. The Behavioral Scientist will also provide quantitative analysis expertise and strategic advice across the Institute as requested.

What you'll do

Research Design & Data Collection

• Study Design: Design and execute experimental studies and surveys from scratch, utilizing both quantitative and qualitative methodologies to investigate religious and social phenomena.
• Advanced Data Collection: Lead complex data gathering initiatives, including long-form qualitative interviews, focus groups, and the collection of data.

Analysis & Methodology

• Statistical Analysis: Apply advanced statistical knowledge to large datasets and utilization of data visualization.
• Evaluation: Lead product/program evaluations to assess impact and efficacy through rigorous scientific standards.

Publication & Deliverables

• Academic Writing: Author and co-author high-level deliverables including academic papers, journal articles, curriculum standards, white papers, and books.
• Collaboration: Work simultaneously on multiple projects, collaborating with the "Books & Reports" squad to ensure research aligns with long-term publication goals.

Qualifications

Education

• Required: PhD or Master’s degree in Sociology, Economics, Epidemiology, Psychology, Criminology, Islamic Studies, or Education.

Technical Proficiency

• Statistical Software: Strong proficiency in working with statistical software, specifically Stata, SPSS, MPlus, R, or Python.
• Research Tools: Expertise in using Qualtrics for survey design and Shamela/Academic Libraries for literature reviews.

Core Competencies

• Islamic Literacy: Understanding of foundational Islamic ideas, concepts, values, and principles is essential for contextualizing research findings.
• Academic Rigor: Demonstrated ability to produce work that meets the standards of peer review and academic credibility.
• Strategic Alignment: Ability to distinguish between "knowledge generation" (Research) and "delivery optimization" (Product), ensuring work focuses on validity, authority, and shifting public narrative.

Success Metrics

• Publication of peer-reviewed papers and journal articles.
• Citations and recognition within the academic community.
• Contribution to shifting the public narrative regarding Muslims through evidence-based description

Yaqeen Institute embraces a philosophy that values and promotes diversity. Our goal is to attract, develop, retain, and advance a talented and diverse workforce within a culture where all employees are empowered to reach their fullest potential.

Please note that all career opportunities at Yaqeen Institute are subject to a three-month probationary period, during which we assess performance, alignment with our values, and mutual fit to ensure long-term success in the role.