Research Scholar for Migration, Trafficking, and Organized Crime

About the Role

This is a full-time temporary, benefit-based position with an anticipated end date of August 31, 2028. The appointment is renewable at the discretion of the University and dependent upon performance and continued funding. Develops and advances the Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice's emerging portfolio on migration, trafficking, and organized crime, with attention to the U.S.–Mexico border region and comparable transnational contexts. This position is intended for an entrepreneurial scholar-practitioner who will help shape a focused but flexible area of applied research, teaching, program development, and public engagement within the Institute. The Researcher integrates academic, practitioner, and policy perspectives to generate actionable knowledge, support student learning, and build a stronger institutional platform for future work in this domain.

Responsibilities

• Help lay the intellectual, relational, and strategic groundwork for a developing area of Institute work focused on migration, trafficking, organized crime, and related forms of violence or insecurity, including thematic focus, partnership cultivation, student engagement, and the pursuit of future external support.
• Teach one elective course per academic year related to migration, trafficking, organized crime, border dynamics, political violence, or a closely related topic.
• Mentor students engaged in applied research, practice-oriented work, or project-based learning connected to this portfolio.
• Conduct and disseminate applied research, policy briefs, and public-facing outputs that advance understanding of migration, trafficking, organized crime, and related forms of violence or insecurity.
• Collaborate with faculty, staff, practitioners, and external partners to produce co-authored publications and other outputs relevant to policy and practice.
• Contribute to the Institute's public intellectual life by presenting work at Kroc Pot, public events, conferences, and other relevant forums.
• Work closely with the Institute's Associate Director for Strategic Development and Grant Management and Director for Research and Monitoring to identify and pursue external funding opportunities aligned with this portfolio.
• Lead the conceptual development of grant-funded initiatives in this area, including research, programmatic, and partnership components, and help translate emerging ideas into competitive proposals and externally supported projects.
• Help build the institutional foundation for sustained work in this area by identifying strategic opportunities for growth, collaboration, and external support.
• Cultivate relationships with NGOs, community organizations, universities, government actors, and practitioners working on migration, trafficking, organized crime, border dynamics, transnational violence, or related themes.
• Other duties as assigned by the Executive Director.

Minimum Qualifications

• Master's degree in a relevant field such as peace and conflict studies, international relations, law, public policy, human rights, migration studies, criminology, sociology, political science, or security studies.
• At least three (3) years of relevant professional, research, policy, or higher-education experience in one or more of the following areas: migration, trafficking, organized crime, border governance, political violence, public security, illicit economies, postconflict violence, or related justice and governance issues.
• Demonstrated record of producing high-quality applied research, policy analysis, public scholarship, or learning products that inform practice, policy, or public understanding.
• Experience engaging with academic, governmental, intergovernmental, or civil society partners on issues related to violence, justice, migration, trafficking, security, or governance.
• Strong analytical, communication, and organizational skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across academic, policy, and practitioner communities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Terminal degree (PhD, JD, or equivalent) in a relevant field, or significant, sustained professional practice at a senior level in migration policy, organized crime, human rights, border governance, public security, or related areas.
• Four or more years of relevant experience, as described above.
• Demonstrated record of applied, policy-relevant research or practice addressing migration, trafficking, organized crime, political violence, border insecurity, or cross-border governance.
• Experience teaching graduate-level courses.
• Ability to contribute flexibly to adjacent Institute priorities, including student practice-based learning and applied monitoring, evaluation, learning, mixed-methods research, or evidence-based program assessment.
• Experience in program development or helping build new areas of institutional work within higher education, government, or international organizations.
• Experience developing or contributing to funded initiatives, collaborative research, or multi-partner projects.
• Familiarity with the U.S.–Mexico border region and related policy, justice, and security dynamics.
• Fluency in Spanish.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Deep understanding of migration, trafficking, organized crime, and related forms of transnational insecurity, especially in border contexts.
• Ability to integrate applied research, teaching, public engagement, and program development in ways that inform real-world policy and practice.
• Strong analytical and writing skills, including the ability to translate rigorous empirical research and complex ideas into accessible formats for varied academic, policy, practitioner, and public audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate across academic, practitioner, policy, and community settings.
• Skill in helping build a focused area of institutional work from an emerging or transitional foundation.
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and exercise sound professional judgment.
• Commitment to evidence-based, impact-oriented approaches that advance peace, justice, and human dignity.

Pay

$6,666.67 - $8,333.33 per month

Benefits

The University of San Diego offers a very competitive benefits package including; medical, dental, vision, a retirement contribution given to you by the University, and access to on-campus Fitness Centers.

Schedule

37.5 hours per week

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