Research Consultant

Organizational Overview

The Sentencing Project advocates for effective and humane responses to crime that minimize imprisonment and criminalization of youth and adults by promoting racial, ethnic, economic, and gender justice. The Sentencing Project engages in research and advocacy on sentencing and related issues, advocates for criminal justice policy and practice reform, and conducts broad-scale public education through media, online and other communications. Information about The Sentencing Project is available at www.sentencingproject.org.

Consultant Description and Responsibilities

The Sentencing Project is seeking an experienced and high-performing research consultant to provide part-time research and writing support for approximately nine months, beginning in late February 2026. The position is best suited for someone with a graduate-level degree in social science, preferably criminal justice, criminology, or sociology.

The research consultant will help to produce a report on the topic of how crime victims and survivors experience the resentencing process created by post-conviction release mechanisms known as “second look” policies. In collaboration with our research team, the consultant will play a major role in all parts of this study including:

• Recruiting interview subjects and scheduling interviews
• Conducting, transcribing, and coding in-depth interviews
• Writing analytical sections of the report
• Writing a literature review

This position requires strong analytical, writing, and organizational skills, a nuanced understanding of the criminal legal system, and a passion for reform. Candidates should be detail-oriented in both research, writing, and editing as well as open to incorporating feedback and revisions into their work. Candidates with experience in qualitative research methods and familiarity with research on victims / survivors are preferred.

Compensation

This is a temporary, part-time consultancy involving approximately 60 hours per month of research and writing support with a monthly payment of $2,145 to $2,500 depending on experience. The consultancy ends in mid-November 2026, but could be renewed if appropriate. Fully remote work is possible for the right candidate, but preference is given to applicants residing in the DC metropolitan area.

Application Procedure

To apply, please submit the following materials to consulting@sentencingproject.org by February 23, 2026 and address your email to “Application for Extreme Sentencing Research Consultant”:

• A cover letter, which includes a discussion of your research skills and qualifications. Please include your level of familiarity with qualitative research methods and familiarity with academic research on victims / survivors;
  a resume or CV; and
• a short writing sample.
• Incomplete applications and applications received after the February 23, 2026 deadline will not be reviewed.

The Sentencing Project is committed to cultural diversity and ensures that applicants have equal opportunity for recruitment and selection without regard to their race, color, religion, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, prior convictions, or status as a protected veteran.

We strongly encourage applicants with direct personal or familial experience with the criminal legal system.

If there are any parts of the application requirements that you cannot fill out, please let us know and we will do our best to accommodate you.