Apply now Posting #: 5669

Position Status: Full-time temporary

Location: San Diego

Position Type: Administrator, Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies

Position Title & Department

Research Scholar for Migration, Trafficking, and Organized Crime; Kroc School of Peace Studies Posting #

5669

Department Description: The Kroc School of Peace Studies trains the changemakers and peacebuilders of today and tomorrow. Kroc is the first stand-alone school of peace in the United States. Innovation in learning and programs is at the center of what we do and who we are. We combine theory and practice not just to understand crises and world issues, but also to imagine new possibilities and develop solutions to humanity’s urgent challenges from increasing inequality and violence to climate change. At Kroc, people discover new ways of building more peaceful and socially just communities through a multidisciplinary lens and experiential learning. We look for passionate individuals who believe in the power of university learning to transform the world for the better. University Description:

The University of San Diego, an engaged and contemporary Catholic institution, was founded by the Diocese of San Diego and the Society of the Sacred Heart in 1949. Governed by an independent board of trustees since 1972, USD remains committed to a liberal arts education grounded in the Catholic intellectual tradition and the pursuit of truth, goodness and beauty. Inspired by this centuries old tradition of Catholic higher education, the University welcomes people of all faith traditions and any, or no, religious background. The future success of USD relies on the contributions of those who seek to foster the development of engaged global citizens and an earnest confrontation of humanity’s urgent challenges.

Detailed Description

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 include teaching one elective course related to migration, trafficking, organized crime, political violence, border insecurity, or a closely related area; contributing to applied research and public-facing outputs; collaborating with the Institute’s Associate Director of Strategic Development and Grant Management and research leadership to pursue external funding; and helping cultivate a programmatic framework that can deepen and organize the Institute’s work in this area over time. As a resident member of the Institute community, the Researcher contributes to its intellectual life, supports convenings and dialogues, and represents the Institute in public forums that elevate the Kroc School’s profile in practice-based peacebuilding and policy-relevant applied research.

Duties And Responsibilities

Program Leadership and Teaching

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.
Other duties as assigned by the Executive Director.

Research and Knowledge Production

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.

Funding Development and Strategic Collaboration

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.

Partnership Development and Institutional Integration

Cultivate relationships with NGOs, community organizations, universities, government actors, and practitioners working on migration, trafficking, organized crime, border dynamics, transnational violence, or related themes

Special Conditions Of Employment

The role may include occasional domestic or international travel for conferences or professional events.
This role is designed as an in-person and on-site position. While limited remote work may be permitted with prior approval and when compatible with business needs, regular on-site presence is an essential expectation of the job.

Background check: Successful completion of a pre-employment background check.

Degree Verification Requirement: Persons offered employment in this position will be required to provide official education transcripts for degree verification purposes.

Job Requirements

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.

Performance Expectations - 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.

Posting Salary

$6,666.67 - $8,333.33 per month; Excellent 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. Please visit the benefits section of our website to view all of the perks and benefits that USD has to offer. USD: Human Resources: Benefits

The salary range provided in this posting reflects what we reasonably expect to pay for this position. Actual compensation offered or earned is dependent on experience, education and other factors including departmental budget.

Special Application Instructions

Resume and Cover Letter Required

Click the 'Apply Now' button to complete our online application. In addition, please upload a cover letter and resume to your application profile for the hiring managers’ review. If you have any questions or difficulties please contact the Employment Services Team at jobs@sandiego.edu.

Additional Details

Note: The position will be hired either at the Assistant or the Associate level depending on the experience of the candidate selected.

Note: Preference will be given to qualified current University of San Diego employees.

Hours: 37.5 hours per week

Closing date: Open until filled

Note: External job postings will be up for at least three days. After that time, applications will be reviewed by the hiring manager/committee throughout the posting period. A candidate may be selected at any time which could then close this posting on a date earlier than listed.

The University of San Diego is a smoking and tobacco-free campus. For more information, visit www.sandiego.edu/smokefree.

Advertised: July 31, 2026 Pacific Daylight Time

Applications close: Open until filled

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Research Scholar for Migration, Trafficking, and Organized Crime