Communications Program Assistant, Advocacy /Junior Research Scientist - Scholars at Risk

Scholars at Risk (SAR) seeks a proactive, detail-oriented, research-focused individual with excellent analytical and writing skills to join SAR’s advocacy and research teams as a Communications Program Assistant. This role is responsible for communications-related research and outputs for SAR’s ongoing advocacy, research, and learning efforts. The role will research and draft communications to reach intended, wider audiences. In support of SAR’s advocacy efforts responding to attacks on higher education (including via SAR’s Free to Think reports and Scholars in Prison Project), the role will research media and press avenues through which to disseminate SAR’s reports, outputs, and training materials; research individual scholars’ stories that epitomize SAR’s work and build storytelling-focused communications campaigns; write communications materials and press releases; and develop data-driven assessment tools to refine SAR’s communications. The position requires excellent research, analysis, writing, and project management skills, as well as a practiced attention to detail and judgment, particularly under deadline and with competing priorities. It is ideal for a proactive, thoughtful individual who takes initiative, enjoys the research process, has excellent writing skills, and likes to work on a small team. The position requires timely and professional communication, including with partners, SAR and NYU staff, academia, and the public. This position is based in New York with a regular in-office presence expected. The role reports to SAR’s Advocacy Director.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES

40% - Research, develop, and deploy communications around attacks on higher education and at-risk scholars

• With an eye to cultivating wider audiences for SAR’s messaging, research, develop, and deploy communications to articulate the connection between higher education, knowledge production, and the greater public good,, including:

• Analyzing ongoing media coverage, including through the compilation of SAR’s Academic Freedom Media Review, US Bulletin, Advocacy Insider, and other e-newsletters;

• Highlighting policy/legal updates, Scholars in Prison or other case developments, and key issues of concern over social media;

• Maintaining relevant sections of the SAR website.

• Conduct research of outlets and creative communications methods that reach faculty, students, policymakers, media, and the public; and, based on this research, make recommendations for communications strategies and implementation options.

40% - Research, write, and produce communications materials

• Coordinate communications around SAR’s advocacy and research materials, including the Monitoring Project’s annual Free to Think report, white papers, country briefing papers, topical reports, Scholars in Prison campaigns, and letters of appeal, by:

• Developing graphics and other design elements in partnership with SAR’s graphic design consultant;

• Designing and deploying social media campaigns;

• Developing and executing production timelines for all materials;

• Coordinating other staff contributing to these materials;

• Prioritizing storytelling in communications;

• Integrating discerning use of AI to increase efficiencies;

• Coordinating with SAR’s Communications Officer on the media distribution of these materials, responding to press inquiries, and organizing interviews for SAR staff; and

• Presenting to academic and general audiences on the materials.

• Conduct an assessment of communications campaigns, especially for SAR’s Free to Think reports, to improve SAR’s impact.

10% - Create a data-driven communications structure

• Conduct a regular review of communications efforts, track specific benchmarks for success, analyze available data, and make recommendations for changes;

• Specifically, conduct an annual review of SAR’s Free to Think communications; and

• Ensure that all advocacy and research communications data, including events, web stats, and press relationships, feeds into SAR’s communications data.

10% - Ensure accurate implementation of SAR’s communications tools

• Maintain website, socials, and EveryAction database;

• Support in-person and online events, including development of best communications practices at events;

• Offer communications-related administrative support, as needed; and

• Coordinate with other SAR staff to share lessons learned.

This is a full-time, at-will position on an open-ended term, subject to program priorities, exemplary performance, and availability of funds. The position offers a salary range of $50,000 - 57,000, comparable to similar positions at peer organizations in the human rights/NGO field. Scholars at Risk is an independent not-for-profit corporation hosted at New York University (NYU). SAR staff are NYU employees seconded to SAR and are eligible for NYU employee benefits, including generous vacation leave and holidays; medical, dental, vision and life insurance options; and retirement benefits (all subject to terms established by NYU as described at https://www.nyu.edu/employees/benefit/full-time/professional-research-staff.html ).

Undergraduate degree or similar, relevant experience.

Excellent research and writing skills; demonstrated ability to synthesize and distill complex information for general, academic, and government audiences.

Exceptional interpersonal communication skills, including cross-team collaboration, and proven proficiency in delivering impactful presentations.

Exceptional attention to detail, initiative, time-management, and problem-solving abilities.

Experience in developing and executing communications campaigns, including report distribution and strategy.

Experience in digital communications; strong understanding of social media for nonprofit organizations, including outreach, media, and development.

Experience in developing, refining, and assessing impact of social media content.

Experience in data-driven decision making.

Experience in project management, especially in managing competing priorities.

Commitment to human rights, academic freedom, and diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Ability to manage complex political and cultural factors, difficult information, including human rights abuses, and tensions between long- and short-term goals.

Ability and commitment to work beyond a typical work day or work week when needed.

Proficiency in word processing and spreadsheet software (e.g., Word/Google Docs, Excel/Sheets) and website content management systems (e.g., WordPress).

HOW TO APPLY: Apply online at https://www.scholarsatrisk.org/category/career-opportunities/ by uploading the requested materials in one combined PDF: (1) a letter of interest, (2) resume, (3) list of references or letters of reference, and (4) a brief, unedited writing sample. DEADLINE FOR INITIAL APPLICATION REVIEW IS November 1, 2026 . Applications received after the deadline will be reviewed on a rolling basis, until the position is filled. No phone calls or email inquiries, please.

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NYU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to a policy of equal treatment and opportunity in every aspect of its recruitment and hiring process without regard to age, alienage, caregiver status, childbirth, citizenship status, color, creed, disability, domestic violence victim status, ethnicity, familial status, gender and/or gender identity or expression, marital status, military status, national origin, parental status, partnership status, predisposing genetic characteristics, pregnancy, race, religion, reproductive health decision making, sex, sexual orientation, unemployment status, veteran status, or any other legally protected basis. All interested persons are encouraged to apply for vacant positions at all levels.

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