Assistant Scientist Visa Sponsorship Jobs in New York

INTRODUCTION

Scholars at Risk is seeking a highly-motivated, flexible, and team-oriented individual to fill the role of Junior Research Scientist/Program Assistant for Protection Services. This position is a natural fit for a self-starter who works well under tight deadlines; handles confidential materials with care; displays compassion in communications with clients and accuracy in communications with external partners; has excellent judgment, attention to detail, writing, research and analytic skills; has familiarity with higher education and/or human rights situations around the world; and wants to be an important contributor to a collegial team dedicated to protecting individuals, preventing future violations and promoting human rights generally. The role has a primary responsibility for intake and review of 40+ new applications per month to SAR by potential scholar-clients, management of applicant email inquiries, and lending support to SAR’s placement efforts and service provision for Ukrainian and other scholars. The role is based in Manhattan and in-office work is required a minimum of 2.5 days per week.

This position reports to SAR’s Senior Program Officer for Protection and SAR’s Manager for Scholar Placement, working closely with all members of the Protection team, and in regular communication with other SAR staff.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES

- Organize and maintain application database and case files on scholar-applicants according to internal systems and procedures.
- Serve as point of contact for scholar-applicants seeking SAR assistance at any given time, sharing timely responses to external queries and regular updates to scholar-applicants regarding their application to SAR.
- Conduct initial review of incoming applications from scholar-applicants and make recommendations on whether applicant is a candidate for SAR assistance following internal review guidelines.
- Research and synthesize case information – including geopolitical and human rights dimensions – of scholar-applicants seeking assistance.
- Research and draft materials—including case summaries, references, and publications/samples of work—for accepted cases for circulation to SAR members.
- Support protection team in research efforts to identify and secure university opportunities and academic placements, and to provide services for scholars.
- Support implementation of new programs to assist scholars, including new fellowship program for scholars from Ukraine. This will involve fellowship application review and processing, researching geopolitical conditions of relevant regions, sending progress surveys to Ukrainian scholars in fellowships, and providing timely project updates for reporting purposes.
- Research case-specific resources to support scholars as needed (in topics such as in career advancement, mental health/wellbeing); identify and promote opportunities benefiting scholar-clients and applicants (fellowship and funding opportunities), primarily by updating SAR’s online repository of opportunities and resources for scholars.
- Help maintain database records and tracking of services provided to scholars.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

This is a full-time, at-will position on an open-ended term, subject to program priorities, exemplary performance, and availability of funds. The position offers a salary range of $50,000 – 57,000, comparable to similar positions at peer organizations in the human rights/NGO field. Scholars at Risk is an independent not-for-profit corporation hosted at New York University (NYU). SAR staff are NYU employees seconded to SAR and are eligible for NYU employee benefits, including vacation leave and holidays; medical, dental, vision and life insurance options; and retirement benefits (all subject to terms established by NYU as described at https://www.nyu.edu/employees/benefit/full time/professional-research-staff.html).

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

- Undergraduate degree or equivalent experience in research, direct service, or related field
- 3+ years experience in higher education, human rights, relief/refugee work or related fields
- Excellent interpersonal skills, especially in a multi-cultural setting
- Excellent attention to detail and flexibility in approach to work
- Excellent troubleshooting and problem-solving abilities
- Excellent research and analytical skills
- Excellent oral and written communication skills, including public presentation skills
- Solid judgment and ability to handle sensitive information in a discreet, professional manner
- Ability to manage high workloads and proactively manage own work ahead of deadlines
- Ability and commitment to work beyond a typical work day or work week when needed
- Ability to manage responsibilities and priorities with limited supervision
- Ability to manage complex political and cultural factors and difficult information, including human rights abuses and other information shared in applicant materials
- Enthusiasm for and commitment to direct service provision for at-risk individuals
- Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion principles

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

- Previous experience with relocation initiatives or other direct service work
- Fluency in or familiarity with languages other than English
- Experience with client database software
- Experience with country-specific assistance initiatives

Applications received after November 9, 2026 will be reviewed on a rolling basis, until the position is filled. No phone calls or email inquiries, please. Applicants must upload the requested materials in one combined PDF: (1) a letter of interest, (2) resume, (3) list of references or letters of reference, and (4) a brief, unedited writing sample.

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