Research Scientist

About the role

Yaqeen Institute is seeking a qualified Research Scientist, who will play a critical role in the Global Muslim Studies Division by designing, executing, and analyzing empirical research that explores the religious, social, and psychological dynamics of Muslim populations worldwide. Reporting to the Director of Global Data Studies, this researcher will leverage 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.

The primary objective of this position is to produce rigorous, methodologically sound studies that stand up to academic and religious technical scrutiny. The successful candidate will manage long-term projects (longitudinal studies, peer-reviewed papers) that build Yaqeen’s authority in the field. The research will be focused on Muslim populations globally, and may include studies focused on psychological, sociological, economic, and other social scientific topics. The Research Scientist should have a strong background in working with survey data and statistical inference. They will also provide quantitative analysis expertise in advising surveys and studies across the Institute.

What you'll do

• Collaborate with stakeholders to understand project objectives 
• Design and develop survey instruments tailored to assess knowledge, attitudes, and practices within targeted populations
• Analyze quantitative and qualitative data using appropriate statistical and analytical tools
• Interpret findings in the context of project scope
• Prepare reports and presentations with insights and trends
• Ensure quality control throughout all stages of the research process

Qualifications

Required Skills:

• Bachelor’s degree (Master’s or doctorate preferred) in the Social Sciences, Statistics, or Data Science.
• Experience working with large datasets and knowledge of statistical software, including Stata, SPSS, R, Mplus, or Python.
• Experience cleaning datasets and creating codebooks
• Experience writing research reports. 
• Able to work on multiple projects simultaneously
• Understands foundational Islamic ideas, concepts, values and principles

Preferred Skills:

• Master’s or PhD in the social sciences, Statistics, or Data Science
• Experience with data visualization is preferred (e.g., Tableau)
• Experience programming in Python
• Advanced statistical knowledge (e.g., factor analysis, hierarchical linear modeling, structural equation modeling, cluster analyses, machine learning, etc.)
• Experience in working with human subjects research and IRB
• Able to conduct interviews, focus groups, and code qualitative data
• Experience in product/program evaluation
• Experience in designing experimental studies

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.