Project Director, AI Century Study

AIR is seeking a Project Director to provide strategic, intellectual, and operational leadership for the organization’s flagship AI Century Study. The AI Century Study is a 100-year national research effort to understand how artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping human development and society. Unlike short-term or one-time studies, the AI Century Study will return to participating families at regular intervals for repeated data collection, allowing researchers to observe how AI-related experiences and outcomes evolve across key life stages. This long-term design will help identify patterns that are difficult to detect in snapshots—and clarify how impacts differ by context, including varying access to technology and resources. The ideal candidate will: bring a strong track record leading complex, multi-year research initiatives; have demonstrated results with cultivating cross-sector partnerships that generate rigorous, accessible, longitudinal evidence; and hold intellectual curiosity for the main question driving the study AIR is seeking a Project Director to provide strategic, intellectual, and operational leadership for the organization’s flagship (“How does the age of AI change the human condition?”).

The Project Director will help shape the vision and lead the execution and evolution of the AI Century Study, serving as both scientific steward and strategic leader. This role is responsible for guiding interdisciplinary teams, managing complex partnerships, and ensuring the study produces high-quality evidence that informs policy, practice, and public understanding of AI’s long-term impacts. The Project Director will work closely with AIR senior leadership, researchers across disciplines, external collaborators, and funders, and will represent the study publicly as a thought leader in AI and education research.

At AIR, we create impact through evidence that improves lives and systems. The AI Century Study is a cornerstone of AIR’s forward-looking research agenda, addressing urgent questions about how AI is reshaping human development and society. The Project Director ensures that this work is human-centered; scientifically rigorous and methodologically innovative; credible, transparent, and policy-relevant; and designed for learning over time, not just one-off findings.

This position has the flexibility to work remotely within the United States (U.S.) or from one of AIR’s U.S. office locations. This does not include U.S. territories.

About AIR:

Founded in 1946 and headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, the American Institutes for Research (AIR) is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization that conducts behavioral and social science research and delivers technical assistance to address some of the most pressing challenges in the United States and globally. Mission-focused and evidence-driven, AIR applies rigorous research and technical expertise to close gaps in opportunity and access, improving lives across communities and systems.

Responsibilities:

The responsibilities for the position include:

Strategic and Scientific Leadership

• Contribute to and support the refinement of the strategic vision for the AI Century Study, ensuring alignment with AIR’s mission.
• Provide intellectual leadership on research questions, study design, and the evolution of the study over time.
• Integrate qualitative, quantitative, longitudinal, and design-informed research methods.
• Guide synthesis of findings into clear, compelling insights for diverse technical and non-technical audiences.

Research Execution and Quality Assurance

• Lead the full research lifecycle, including data collection, governance, ethics, privacy, and security across all study components.
• Ensure high standards for research quality, transparency, and reproducibility.
• Apply adaptive learning, reflection, and iterative improvement as the study evolves.

Partnership and Stakeholder Engagement

• Develop strategic relationships with funders, academic collaborators, school systems, policymakers, and technology stakeholders.
• Serve as a key point of contact for major external partners and funders.
• Lead collaborative research activities such as listening sessions, convenings, and co-design or co-learning workshops.
• Identify and pursue opportunities to expand the study’s reach, sustainability, and influence through partnerships, co-funding, and aligned initiatives.

Communication and Thought Leadership

• Significantly contribute to dissemination and knowledge-translation strategies, including the development of reports, briefs, convenings, and public-facing products.
• Represent the AI Century Study and AIR in national forums, media, and professional communities.
• Translate complex and longitudinal findings into accessible, actionable narratives that inform policy and practice.
• Program and Team Leadership Lead, supervise, and mentor a multidisciplinary team of researchers, analysts, designers, and communications staff.
• Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performing team culture grounded in rigor, curiosity, and continuous learning.
• Coordinate across AIR divisions and technical areas to ensure coherence, alignment, and effective use of institutional expertise.

Qualifications:

Education, Knowledge, and Experience

• PhD with a minimum of 7 years of relevant experience, or Master’s degree with a minimum of 11 years of experience in one or more of the following areas: human development, health, workforce development, education, or learning sciences; social science research, evaluation, or longitudinal study leadership; technology policy, data science, or applied research related to digital or AI-enabled systems.
• Proven record of directing large-scale, multi-year research or evaluation projects, including responsibility for study design, implementation, and learning over time.
• At least 5 years of experience managing, or contributing to complex research initiatives, partnerships, or portfolios spanning multiple organizations or sectors (e.g., nonprofit, government, academia, philanthropy, technology partners).
• Demonstrated success building and sustaining partnerships across sectors and disciplines to support long-term research and learning agendas.
• Professional reputation and network in fields relevant to the AI Century Study.
• Direct experience translating research and evidence into policy- or practice-relevant insights for technical and non-technical audiences.
• Experience with longitudinal, cohort-based, or life-course-oriented studies.
• Comfort engaging with both technical and non-technical stakeholders, including policymakers, practitioners, and the public.
• Experience across domains of human development, health, education, workforce, and technology.
• Experience at the intersection of AI and human development Background in human-centered research approaches.

Skills

• Intellectual curiosity for the main study question – “How does the age of AI change the human condition?”
• Systems-oriented thinker with a deep understanding of systems change; able to see connections across research, policy, technology, and human experience.
• Highly organized and adaptable, able to manage multiple priorities and navigate ambiguity in dynamic, evolving research environments.
• Excellent communicator and storyteller who can translate complex, longitudinal findings into clear, actionable insights for varied audiences.
• Strong leader and people manager with a demonstrated commitment to mentorship, collaboration, and staff development within interdisciplinary teams.

Disclosures: Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the U.S. on a full-time basis. Employment-based visa sponsorship (including H-1B sponsorship) is not available for this position. Depending on project work, qualified candidates may need to meet certain residency requirements.

American Institutes for Research is an equal employment opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without discrimination on the basis of age, race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability. AIR adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo reference and background checks. AIR maintains a drug-free work environment.

ACCESSIBILITY NOTICE: If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process due to a physical or mental disability, please send an email to Taliba Boone at tboone@air.orgor call 202.403.5000.

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