Digital Research Analyst

ISD is an independent, non-profit organisation dedicated to safeguarding human rights and reversing the rising tide of polarisation, extremism and disinformation worldwide.

Why work for ISD?

ISD is not your ordinary think tank. We turn research into action that changes the world. Our insights don't gather dust on shelves - they power the fight to protect democracy and human rights on the front lines. We're committed to delivering real change, from the grassroots to the highest levels of global institutions. And we're looking for passionate individuals who share our commitment to making a difference. Join us and be part of an organisation that's making an impact.

ISD's Guiding Principles of  integrity, collaboration, agility and courage  define who we are as a team and an organisation. These principles reflect our culture and guide the way we work and the choices we make.

Our benefits

• Flexible and remote working based on ISD's Time Principles (Trust, Communication, Flexibility). 

• Generous paid time off policy, including a week of additional paid time off over Christmas.

• Health Insurance policy including healthcare covered at 80% by ISD for the primary employee, as well as vision, dental and fully employer-sponsored life insurance, short and long term disability policies. 

• 401k policy with generous employer match.

• Up to 6 weeks paid sick leave and other family-friendly policies. 

• Annual personal development and remote working budgets.

• Dedicated mental health counsellors on staff for those working with potentially traumatic content.

• Inclusive wellbeing program with regular wellbeing initiatives e.g. early finish every Friday, 'Digital Detox' in the month of August, and bi-annual all-staff retreats in Washington ,D.C.
  

Salary

$65,000 - $85,000/year, depending on experience.

Location

You may work from our office in Washington DC, from home, or on a hybrid arrangement to suit you. Please note that occasional donor travel may be required (not to exceed 5% travel). 

Hours

This is a full-time position, 40 hours per week. 

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

ISD is committed to promoting diversity throughout its workforce and aims for its team to be truly representative of all sections of society. We make a concerted effort to ensure our workplace, employment policies and organisational culture creates an inclusive, positive and progressive environment in which all members of our team are treated with dignity and respect. For further information about this policy or our recruitment practices, please email vacancies@isdglobal.org.

We strongly encourage applications from people of colour, the LGBTQ+ community, people with disabilities, neurodivergent people, carers, and people from diverse socio-economic backgrounds.

The role

ISD-US is recruiting a Digital Research Analyst to work as part of a team researching online harms with a focus on issues pertaining to hate speech, violent extremism and disinformation. The Digital Research Analyst will conduct quantitative and qualitative digital research, including data analysis and open-source intelligence. The analyst will draft a regular cadence of reports documenting their findings.

Key responsibilities include:

• Conduct qualitative and quantitative analysis, through ethnographic monitoring and tools (Pyrra, Brandwatch) of the following movements/networks/groups:

  • i. Anti-democratic and/or voter suppression narratives and activities online

  • ii. Militias, anti-government adherents, and extremist groups that pose threats to public safety.

• Ad hoc support to threat investigations with threat detection analysts.

• Author at least one to two explainers or dispatches per year (topics to be determined following discussions with leadership).

• Support the development of oral briefings for stakeholders.

• Produce slides and presentation materials for training to help safeguard public officials, frontline activities, and voters.

To view the full job description and responsibilities, please click here.

The ideal candidate

This individual should have experience using relevant technologies and methodologies on conducting and understanding online trends as they relate to society issues and will be proficient with a variety of social listening tools. Ideally, this person will have experience with public speaking and stakeholder engagement. 

Please review our  job description for essential criteria, and keep in mind that no candidate will meet every requirement in the advert. If your experience looks a little different from what we've identified, but you think you can bring value to the role, we'd love to hear from you.

How to apply

Please submit your application by 30th September 2025. ISD reserves the right to interview and appoint candidates prior to the advertised closing date.

If you have any further questions about this vacancy or want to speak to a member of our recruitment team, please contact vacancies@isdglobal.org.