Senior Research and Policy Associate

The Coelho Center for Disability Law, Policy, and Innovation (TCC) at Loyola Marymount University seeks a Senior Associate for Research and Policy to support and advance TCC’s research, policy, and public-facing work. This position will work closely with the Faculty Director to develop and implement TCC’s research agenda, produce policy briefs and reports, support community-engaged research projects, supervise research staff and student fellows, and help translate scholarship into meaningful policy interventions. The ideal candidate will have strong research, writing, project management, and policy analysis skills, with experience in disability law, disability policy, public benefits, health care, housing, labor, care infrastructure, or related fields. This position requires the ability to work independently, manage complex projects, collaborate with faculty and community partners, and produce clear written materials for academic, policy, practitioner, and public audiences.

Specific Responsibilities/Accountabilities Develop, coordinate, and manage research and policy projects in collaboration with the Faculty Director. Conduct legal, policy, qualitative, and/or mixed-methods research related to disability law, disability rights, care infrastructure, public benefits, health care, employment, housing, and related areas. Draft, revise, and edit policy briefs, white papers, research reports, public-facing explainers, grant materials, presentations, and other TCC publications. Track and synthesize relevant developments in federal, state, and local disability law and policy, including California-specific developments where applicable. Support the design and implementation of community-engaged research projects, including interviews, focus groups, surveys, landscape scans, literature reviews, and policy analyses. Maintain a research infrastructure, including project timelines, databases, bibliographies, codebooks, interview protocols, data management systems, and publication workflows. Supervise and mentor associate research staff, graduate research fellows, undergraduate research assistants, and/or student workers on TCC projects. Coordinate research assignments, review work product, provide feedback, and ensure timely completion of deliverables. Assist with planning and execution of TCC convenings, workshops, public programs, stakeholder meetings, and policy roundtables. Collaborate with disability advocates, service providers, scholars, legal professionals, policymakers, community organizations, and people with lived experience. Support grant writing, fundraising proposals, donor reports, and other development-related materials in partnership with the Faculty Director and university staff. Prepare sophisticated presentations, briefing materials, public reports, and visual summaries of research findings. Represent TCC in relevant university, professional, community, policy, and advocacy settings, including public meetings, briefings, coalition spaces, stakeholder conversations, and conferences. Ensure that TCC research and programming reflect strong commitments to accessibility, disability inclusion, ethical research practices, and community accountability. Perform other duties as assigned or requested. ​ Loyola Marymount University Expectations Exhibit behavior that supports the mission, vision, and values of the university. Communicate and employ interpersonal actions that model high standards of professional, responsible, accountable, and ethical conduct. Demonstrate a commitment to outstanding service, inclusive excellence, and the building of a just society. Requisite Qualifications Typically, a J.D. or Ph.D in public policy, political science, or sociolegal studies, or equivalent advanced degree in law, public policy, disability studies, social work, sociology, public health, political science, psychology, gender studies, or a related field. Minimum 3 years’ experience conducting research, policy analysis,