CDI Qualitative Researcher
Confidential
Posted: January 30, 2026
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Quick Summary
The Constructive Dialogue Institute (CDI) is a non-partisan non-profit dedicated to equipping the next generation of Americans with the skills to communicate and collaborate across lines of difference.
Required Skills
Job Description
About CDI
The Constructive Dialogue Institute (CDI) is a non-partisan non-profit dedicated to equipping the next generation of Americans with the skills to communicate and collaborate across lines of difference. Since its founding in 2017, CDI has partnered with more than 150 colleges and universities nationwide, offering an evidence-based suite of programs designed to reach stakeholders at every level of a campus—from presidents to incoming students—to create campus cultures of inquiry and dialogue. CDI was co-founded by psychologist Jonathan Haidt, the bestselling author of The Righteous Mind and The Anxious Generation.
About the Role
CDI is seeking project-based qualitative researchers (1099 contractors) to support large-scale qualitative studies examining campus culture. The initial phase of work will involve conducting virtual one-on-one and small-group interviews beginning in Spring 2026 (estimated start: April 1).
This is a great fit for experienced qualitative researchers with strong interviewing and moderation skills, a high bar for documentation quality, and the ability to represent CDI with calm professionalism in complex group settings and with senior leaders. The work is deeply mission-driven: understanding the perspectives of campus stakeholders on charged issues of speech, academic freedom, and institutional trust.
What You’ll Do
You’ll conduct one-on-one and small-group interviews using CDI’s established qualitative research procedures and protocols. Responsibilities include:
• Conducting virtual interviews using structured guides that result in high-quality video recordings
• Applying research protocols consistently, identifying risks or deviations, and suggesting appropriate adjustments
• Producing clear, well-organized interview summaries that require minimal rework
• Synthesizing interview data across participants to identify patterns, themes, and key insights
• Tagging and organizing qualitative data according to an established coding framework
• Submitting research materials using established naming conventions and documentation standards
• Maintaining rapport, neutrality, and professionalism—even when participants are skeptical or challenging
Your initial focus will be on qualitative research supporting organizational culture and change assessments. Depending on availability and fit, you may also support other qualitative research efforts (e.g., user experience research or exploratory/discovery studies).