Fast Facts

Common Sense Media is seeking a Director of Youth AI Research to lead impactful research initiatives on how AI influences child development and family technology use, fostering policy change and promoting awareness.

Responsibilities: The role involves designing and managing high-impact research projects, collaborating with various teams, engaging in public presentations, and developing guidelines for children's engagement with AI.

Skills: Candidates should have expertise in both quantitative and qualitative research methods, including survey design, statistical analysis, and communication skills for diverse audiences.

Qualifications: A PhD or master's degree in a relevant field, plus 10+ years of research experience are preferred, along with experience in political or advocacy environments.

Location: This position is based in San Francisco, California.

Compensation: $111200 - $132050 / Annually

Job Details

Job Location: San Francisco - SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94103

Position Type: Full Time

Salary Range: $111,200.00 - $132,050.00 Salary/year

Director of Youth AI Research

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

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, well-being, 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: San Francisco, California

Reports To: Head of Research

Salary: $111,200–$132,050

Type: Full-time, exempt

What You'll Do:

Key Responsibilities

• Design and lead high-impact 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, well-being, and family technology practices.
• Develop protective frameworks and evidence-based 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 cross-disciplinary collaborations that bridge child development researchers, AI technologists, policy experts, and family study experts to ensure holistic and rigorous inquiry.

What We're Looking For:

Required Qualifications

• Open to diverse backgrounds: an academic looking for real-world impact, a political pollster looking to focus on tech safety, or a policy strategist with a deep background in data.
• PhD, master's 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 low-literacy audiences.
• Track record of managing complex research projects on schedule and within resources.
• Outstanding interpersonal, communication, relationship-building, 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 cross-cultural 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 San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider employment for qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Qualifications