Job Description

Director of Youth AI Research

Common Sense Media is dedicated to improving the lives of kids and families by providing trustworthy information, education, and an independent voice they need to thrive. Our ratings, research, and resources reach more than 150million users worldwide and 1.4million educators every year.

Job Overview

We are seeking a Director of Youth AI Research to join our team and sit at the vital intersection of data, policy, and public narrative. In partnership with the Head of Research, you will lead the development and execution of a comprehensive research agenda focused on how artificial intelligence shapes child development, learning, wellbeing, and family technology use. This is a unique opportunity to drive foundational work on AI and youth, engaging across disciplines and sectors, influencing policy and practice, and elevating the profile of Common Sense as a thought leader in the field.

Location: SanFrancisco, California
Reports To: Head of Research
Salary: $111,200$132,050
Type: Fulltime, exempt

What Youll Do

• Design and lead highimpact research projects, ranging from comprehensive landscape studies (e.g., The State of AI and Youth) to agile public opinion polls, establishing the factual groundwork for our policy goals.
• Manage external polling firms, academic partners, and research contractors, and collaborate closely with internal staff to execute projects on time and within scope.
• Coordinate with the Communications, Marketing, Editorial, Education, and Advocacy teams on narrative and message development, translating research findings into political messaging, press releases, and policy briefs for lawmakers and the media.
• Serve as a thought leader externally: represent Common Sense at conferences, in academic and policy forums, and in media engagements.
• Act as a consulting thought partner on matters of AI, child development, learning, wellbeing, and family technology practices.
• Develop protective frameworks and evidencebased guidelines to support children's healthy engagement with AI.
• Partner with leading academic institutions, experts, and advisors in AI, child development, and family studies to build a robust network and collaborative research ecosystem.
• Balance the need for academic rigor with the need for speed and accessibility. Innovate on how we measure the black box of AI's impact on families.
• Create crossdisciplinary collaborations that bridge child development researchers, AI technologists, policy experts, and family study experts to ensure holistic and rigorous inquiry.

Required Qualifications

• Open to diverse backgrounds: an academic looking for realworld impact, a political pollster focusing on tech safety, or a policy strategist with a deep background in data.
• PhD, masters degree, or equivalent experience preferred. Background in child development, psychology, communications, education, media research, learning sciences, public policy, or a closely related field.
• 10+ years of experience conducting research, preferably both quantitative and qualitative, in relevant domains.
• Familiarity with the current debates surrounding AI, social media algorithms, data privacy, and youth mental health.
• Deep expertise in research design and implementation.
• Experience designing and analyzing public opinion research, messaging surveys, or message testing.
• Quantitative research skills: survey development, statistical analysis (descriptive and inferential), and data interpretation.
• Proficiency in qualitative research methods: focus groups, interviews, diary studies, contextual inquiries, personas, or similar frameworks.
• Excellent writing skills for diverse audiences: academic peers, professionals, and lay or lowliteracy audiences.
• Track record of managing complex research projects on schedule and within resources.
• Outstanding interpersonal, communication, relationshipbuilding, and presentation skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in political consulting, campaign strategy, or advocacy organizations.
• Experience conducting research directly with children and/or families.
• Spanish language skills and crosscultural research experience.

What We Offer

• The chance to work with talented, passionate professionals.
• A great health and welfare benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, and a matching 401(k).
• An organization that offers work/life balance.
• The opportunity to really make a difference in the lives of kids and families!

Common Sense Media provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified individuals and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or any other protected classification or characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

Common Sense Media will also consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. However, job offers are made on the condition that the applicant subsequently passes a criminal background check. If the background check indicates a prior criminal conviction, we will conduct an individualized assessment to determine whether the conviction should result in denial of employment. Pursuant to the SanFrancisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider employment for qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

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