Ethnographic Researcher
MS, NC, and WV
OpenResearch /
Fixed-term /
On-site
OpenResearch is hiring a full-time field ethnographer to lead qualitative data collection for the Rural Income for Self-Empowerment (RISE) study, a multi-site economic mobility study of rural America. The role is field-based, with rotational residencies in Mercer County, WV; Beaufort County, NC; and the Mississippi Delta.
This is a full-time appointment beginning October 2025 (with flexibility for exceptional candidates) and extending through 2027. A successful candidate will be an experienced ethnographer who is familiar with qualitative research methods and analysis, and comfortable working independently while collaborating effectively with the broader research team. The ethnographer will play a central role in fieldwork, analysis, and the development of public-facing deliverables.
The precise rotation schedule isn’t finalized yet, but during the main field period the role will require spending the majority of time on site, rotating between residencies in the three study locations. There may be short remote analysis/writing blocks between rotations, but candidates should plan for most of the period from late 2025 through mid-2027 to be in the field.
Responsibilities:
Immersive Fieldwork
• Conduct participant observation, semi-structured interviews, and small focus groups during multiple rounds of field immersion. Dates and length of time in the field are subject to change
• Build strong relationships with residents, program staff, and community stakeholders
• Maintain meticulous fieldnotes, analytic memos, and photos as relevant
• Adapt protocols in real time to address emergent insights while maintaining methodological integrity
• Complete approximately 90 in-depth interviews across the three counties
• Ensure IRB compliance, data security, and participant confidentiality
Qualitative Project Management
• Support outreach to non-responders and maintain communication with participants, implementation partners, and broader research team
• Ensure in-time data management while in the field: consistently upload any fieldnotes, audio files, photographs, and data to the project’s secure cloud repository using standardized protocols
Analysis
• Serve as qualitative lead on a mixed-methods team, collaborating with quantitative and data-engineering teams to communicate emerging themes and preliminary findings throughout the field period
• Produce in-time insights while in the field and during each analysis block and help to translate observations into survey refinements and policy-relevant findings
• Pilot emerging methodologies (e.g., AI-assisted coding) and share best practices with the team
• Enforce standards for data integrity, documentation, and replicability
Dissemination
• Work closely with the PI(s), team members, and research partners to author/co-author research outputs for both scholarly and public audiences (e.g., policy briefs, op-eds, peer-reviewed papers)
• Distill complex findings into clear, accessible language for non-academic audiences
• Produce a steady cadence of outputs during the field period for timely deliverables throughout the study period in addition to end-of-project reports
Willingness to conduct other duties related to the qualitative project and to support mixed-methods research as necessary
Desired Qualifications:
- Hold a doctoral degree in anthropology, sociology, social work, or public policy (or equivalent field experience). We may be willing to consider exceptional candidates without a doctoral degree if they have extensive ethnographic experience and subject-matter expertise through other means
- Have executed or collaborated on at least one long-form ethnographic project (3+ months)
- Experience conducting semi-structured, in-depth qualitative interviews
- High empathy and interpersonal skills; able to build rapport across diverse backgrounds
- Comfortable with independent fieldwork and collaborative team analysis
- Proficient in qualitative data software (e.g., MaxQDA) and cloud-based data management
- Are willing to conduct evening/weekend interviews and travel on short notice if needed
- Flexible and adaptable to shifting timelines, protocols, and priorities
- Exceptional writing skills for both academic and non-academic audiences
- Critical reflexivity regarding personal identity and positionality as a researcher
- Excitement to learn and experiment with emerging technologies and methodologies
- Hold a valid U.S. driver’s license
OpenResearch Offers:
Impact-Oriented Research: The opportunity to work alongside a small and supportive team to conduct high-impact applied research that informs policy and supports the development of scientific research and innovation
Competitive Compensation: The minimum salary is $105,000, but the starting salary will be determined based on the candidate’s relevant education, knowledge, job-related skills, experience, and home location. Lodging will be provided while in the field.
We will review applications on a rolling basis.
About OpenResearch:
OpenResearch is a 501(c)(3) non-profit research organization with a startup mentality. Drawing on the strengths of traditional academic research and the creativity and problem-solving characteristics of startups, we ask big, open-ended questions and gather comprehensive data to fill pivotal knowledge gaps.
OpenResearch is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We do not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, or any other non-merit factor.
