Scientific Director, Youth Safety – Wellbeing

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in District of Columbia, +1 more state.

📋 Description

• Lead and oversee the Youth Safety & Wellbeing Scientific Advisory Group

• Organize agendas, recruit and manage advisory members, and facilitate a peer-level scientific forum

• Act as CBSAI’s scientific representative for the Youth Safety & Wellbeing priority area

• Maintain an updated network across academia, clinical practice, and industry research

• Own the Specifications workstream and convert behavioral science into actionable specifications for engineering and product teams

• Transform scientific evidence into engineer-ready product and design requirements in collaboration with Center staff

• Establish the scientific standard for evidence that supports actions

• Provide evidence-based recommendations with clear and justifiable scientific rationale

• Review and approve Public Guidance deliverables prior to their release

• Ensure the accuracy and rigor of practitioner guides, public education materials, and policy recommendations

• Collaborate with Center staff on interdisciplinary questions

• Safeguard scientific conclusions and methodologies from commercial, reputational, and funding pressures

• Raise independence or firewall concerns to the Executive Director

• Represent CBSAI science at significant scientific, policy, industry, and public events

• Cultivate relationships with the scientific community, AI companies, and funding organizations

• Supervise the Product Lead and assist in developing the Specifications workstream team

• Aid in establishing hiring and team structures for future priority-area Scientific Leads

• Travel domestically and internationally for gatherings, advisory meetings, and conferences

• Carry out additional responsibilities as assigned

⛳️ Requirements

• Ph.D. in a relevant field, such as developmental or clinical psychology, public health, human-computer interaction, cognitive/behavioral science, or a related discipline

• Active or recent research experience in youth development, media/technology effects, or a closely related area

• Proficient understanding of and proven engagement with AI systems

• Established and recognized presence in the youth safety/wellbeing research field, demonstrated by publications, leadership roles, and/or peer recognition

• Proven experience in guiding and organizing groups of senior academic and clinical experts

• Capacity to engage senior experts in meaningful scientific discussions

• Ability to provide independent scientific leadership alongside AI industry partners, funders, and stakeholders

• Previous experience chairing, participating in, or leading a scientific advisory board, review panel, or similar expert assembly is preferred

• Capability to set a defensible evidentiary standard and function without requiring full consensus from the field

• Strong relationship-building skills with senior academics, AI company leadership, funders, and policymakers

• Demonstrated ethical and scientific integrity when facing commercial or institutional pressures

• Extensive network within academic, clinical, industry, and policy communities focused on youth safety and technology

• Comfort with fast-paced operations in a newly established organization with evolving processes and limited infrastructure

• Excellent written and verbal communication abilities

• Skill in translating scientific nuances for engineering, policy, and public audiences

• Qualified applicants must provide a resume and cover letter detailing salary expectations

🏝️ Benefits

• Remote Work/Flexible Scheduling

• 401(k) option with employer match of up to 4%

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance options

• Outpatient mental health benefit

• Paid personal/vacation time

• 12 paid holidays

• Family/Medical Leave

• Tuition assistance

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

• Short- and long-term disability insurance

• Some domestic and international travel