Job Opening: Research Associate, Islamist Watch Project

About the Position

• The Middle East Forum (MEF), a Philadelphia-based applied policy research organization, is seeking a full-time Research Associate for its Islamist Watch project. This role is ideal for a driven investigative researcher passionate about exposing radical networks and skilled at translating complex open-source intelligence into compelling published analysis. The selected candidate will play a central role in investigating and tracking networks of radical organizations and individuals, with particular emphasis on financing, social media, and other publicly available data. The position also requires the ability to research, write, and publish both short-form news articles and long-form investigative pieces.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Monitor and expose Islamist activity and ideological infrastructure through open-source research and journalistic investigation.
• Research and write articles, reports, and investigative features for publication.
• Submit and manage Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests.
• Cultivate and maintain academic, governmental, and Muslim community sources.
• Contribute to and maintain a proprietary database on Islamist activities in the West.
• Help develop and refine tools for monitoring radical networks.
• Track and analyze large-scale datasets, including governmental funding and grant databases.

Candidate Qualifications

• Required
  
  • Agreement with MEF’s guiding principle that “radical Islam is the problem; moderate Islam is the solution.”
  • Demonstrated knowledge of open-source research tools and techniques.
  • Strong ability to write clear, concise, and publication-ready articles and reports.
• Preferred
  
  • Familiarity with Western Islamist networks, organizations, and key actors.
  • Experience parsing and analyzing large datasets.
  • Working knowledge of Python or JavaScript.
  • Proficiency in Arabic, Turkish, Persian, or Urdu.
  • Legal research experience, including familiarity with drafting and managing FOIA requests.

Location

• Remote; anywhere in the United States.

Compensation and Benefits

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience.
• Comprehensive health coverage, including medical, dental, and vision.
• 403(b) retirement savings plan.
• Long-term and short-term disability insurance.
• Opportunities for professional development and training.

How to Apply
Please prepare a single application package that includes:

• A cover letter outlining your interests, qualifications, and goals.
• A curriculum vitae or résumé.
• Two writing samples demonstrating relevant analytical or investigative work.

Bundle all materials into one document, preferably in Adobe Acrobat format (Word is also acceptable). Title the file using your name in reverse order without spacing, following this convention: IW_Researcher_LastnameFirstname.

Email your application with the subject line “Application for Research Associate, Islamist Watch” to Thelma Prosser at prosser@meforum.org.

About the Middle East Forum
The Middle East Forum, an applied policy research organization founded in 1994 by Daniel Pipes, promotes American interests in the Middle East and protects Western values from Middle Eastern threats. It does so through intellectual, activist, and philanthropic efforts.