Shape the Future of Community-Centered Research

InCommunity Research (ICR) is dedicated to transforming the way research is designed, conducted, and used across the United States and globally. By centering communities in every stage of the research process, ICR advances evidence-based solutions that are rooted in lived experience, cultural context, and long-term impact. The organization offers a unique opportunity for highly qualified researchers to contribute to projects that matter on the ground and at scale.

Why Work With ICR?

Working with ICR means joining a mission-driven team focused on social, behavioral, and public health challenges. Rather than treating communities as passive subjects, ICR actively partners with them, honoring local knowledge, prioritizing equity, and building sustainable research capacity. Team members collaborate with practitioners, advocates, and community leaders to generate actionable insights that inform policy, practice, and real-world change.

Impact at Local, National, and Global Levels

ICR’s projects span a wide range of contexts—from neighborhood-based initiatives in the U.S. to cross-cultural collaborations in international settings. Whether the work involves health equity, behavioral interventions, or social determinants of health, researchers have the opportunity to contribute to projects that influence systems and improve outcomes in tangible ways.

Current Opportunity: Join ICR’s Research Team

A research-focused position is currently open and available to start immediately. This role is ideal for an experienced scholar who is passionate about advancing community-engaged research and applying rigorous methods to complex, real-world problems. The successful candidate will work closely with interdisciplinary teams and community partners, contributing expertise in design, implementation, and dissemination.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and lead community-centered research studies in social, behavioral, or public health domains.
• Develop and refine conceptual frameworks, study protocols, and analytic plans aligned with project goals.
• Apply both quantitative and qualitative methods to capture nuanced community perspectives.
• Engage with community stakeholders, advisory boards, and partner organizations to ensure relevance and equity.
• Translate research findings into accessible products, such as briefs, reports, and practice-oriented tools.
• Contribute to grant writing, project planning, and the development of new initiatives.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary colleagues across multiple projects and geographic locations.

Qualifications: What ICR Looks For

ICR seeks candidates who combine strong academic preparation with a demonstrated commitment to community-focused work. Qualified candidates will be required to demonstrate the following:

• Ph.D. in a social, behavioral, or public health field, with training relevant to community-engaged or applied research.
• Evidence of experience working on projects that prioritize equity, inclusion, and community partnership.
• Proficiency with research methods and analytic tools commonly used in social, behavioral, or public health research.
• Strong writing skills, including experience producing manuscripts, reports, and practice-oriented materials.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, meet deadlines, and coordinate effectively with diverse collaborators.
• Commitment to ethical research practices and respect for community autonomy and voice.

Preferred Experience and Skills

While not strictly required, the following skills and experiences strengthen a candidate’s fit with ICR’s work:

• Experience leading or participating in community-based participatory research or similar collaborative models.
• Background working with historically marginalized or under-resourced communities in the U.S. and/or globally.
• Familiarity with implementation science, intervention development, or evaluation research.
• Experience translating technical findings into materials for non-academic audiences.
• Comfort working across time zones and cultural contexts in multinational collaborations.

A Collaborative and Learning-Oriented Environment

ICR prioritizes a culture of shared learning, reflection, and mutual respect. Team members have opportunities to learn from one another’s disciplinary backgrounds and community experiences, strengthening both methodological rigor and cultural responsiveness. Researchers are encouraged to explore innovative approaches, integrate mixed methods, and co-create knowledge with community partners.

Growing With ICR

The organization supports professional growth through project-based learning, opportunities to take on increasing responsibility, and engagement in new areas of inquiry. Because ICR’s work spans different settings in the U.S. and internationally, researchers gain experience adapting methods to diverse contexts, policies, and community priorities.

Immediate Start and Ongoing Opportunities

The current position is open immediately, allowing the selected candidate to step into active projects and contribute from the outset. As ICR continues to expand its portfolio of social, behavioral, and public health initiatives, there is ongoing potential for long-term collaboration, leadership roles, and involvement in future studies. Candidates who value meaningful partnership and evidence-driven impact will find a strong alignment with ICR’s approach.

Aligning Your Expertise With ICR’s Mission

Researchers with a Ph.D. in a social, behavioral, or public health field bring essential skills to ICR’s work. Whether your expertise lies in community mental health, behavioral interventions, health communication, structural determinants of health, or related areas, there are opportunities to apply your background in ways that honor community priorities. ICR’s emphasis on grounded, participatory work ensures that scholarly training is channeled toward solutions that communities can use and sustain.

Contributing to Research That Communities Can Trust

Trust is a central pillar of ICR’s research philosophy. By involving community partners from the earliest stages of a project—identifying research questions, shaping methods, interpreting results—the organization works to ensure that studies are relevant, respectful, and beneficial. Researchers contribute not only technical skills, but also a relational approach that recognizes communities as co-creators of knowledge.

From Evidence to Action

ICR emphasizes the translation of evidence into action. Findings are not left on the shelf; they are used to inform programs, shape policy discussions, guide organizational practices, and support advocacy efforts. This makes the work particularly meaningful for researchers who want their scholarship to contribute directly to social change and improved health outcomes.

Who Should Consider This Role

This opportunity is well-suited to scholars who:

• Hold a Ph.D. in a social, behavioral, or public health field.
• Are motivated by community-engaged, equity-oriented research.
• Value interdisciplinary collaboration and continuous learning.
• Seek to apply rigorous methods to complex, real-world problems.
• Want to see their work inform practice, policy, and community-led solutions.

Looking Ahead: Building a Global Community of Practice

As ICR deepens its work in the U.S. and expands collaborations globally, there is a growing emphasis on sharing lessons across regions and contexts. Researchers contribute to a broader community of practice that explores how social, behavioral, and public health approaches can be tailored to distinct cultural settings while maintaining core commitments to equity and participation. Joining ICR means contributing to a larger, evolving conversation about what truly community-centered research can look like at scale.