Scientific Director, Youth Safety – Wellbeing

American Psychological Association

. Chair and manage the Youth Safety & Wellbeing Scientific Advisory Group .

Posted 9/24/2026full-timeRemote • United StatesLead💰 $131,000 - $204,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in youth safety and wellbeing research, with a strong ability to translate scientific evidence into actionable specifications for engineering and product development. Proven leadership in managing advisory groups and building relationships across academia, industry, and policy sectors.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Ph.D. In Relevant FieldActive Research Record In Youth DevelopmentExperience Chairing Scientific Advisory BoardsStrong Relationship-Building AbilityWorking Knowledge Of AI Systems

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Behavioral Science TranslationEvidence-Informed RecommendationsScientific MethodologyPublic Guidance ReviewEvidentiary Bar Setting

Soft Skills

Excellent Written CommunicationExcellent Verbal CommunicationIndependent Scientific LeadershipMoral Integrity Under PressureComfort Operating In Start-Up Environments

Industry Keywords

Youth SafetyWellbeing ResearchClinical PsychologyPublic HealthHuman-Computer InteractionCognitive SciencePolicy RecommendationsAcademic NetworkingAI Industry EngagementScientific Advisory Groups

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Chair and manage the Youth Safety & Wellbeing Scientific Advisory Group
Set agendas, recruit and steward advisory members, and run a peer-level scientific forum
Serve as CBSAI’s scientific representative for the Youth Safety & Wellbeing priority area
Maintain a current network across academia, clinical practice, and industry research
Own the Specifications workstream and translate behavioral science into usable specifications for engineering and product teams
Translate scientific evidence into engineer-ready product and design requirements with Center staff
Set the scientific threshold for evidence supporting action
Make evidence-informed recommendations with transparent and defensible scientific rationale
Review and sign off on Public Guidance deliverables before release
Ensure accuracy and rigor of practitioner guides, public education materials, and policy recommendations
Partner with Center staff on cross-workstream questions
Protect scientific conclusions and methodology from commercial, reputational, and funder pressure
Flag independence or firewall concerns to the Executive Director
Represent CBSAI science at major scientific, policy, industry, and public forums
Build relationships with the scientific field, AI companies, and funders
Directly supervise the Product Lead and help define growth of the Specifications workstream team
Help establish hiring and team structures for future priority-area Scientific Leads
Travel domestically and internationally for convenings, advisory meetings, and conferences
Perform other duties as assigned

Requirements

What you’ll need

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 record in youth development, media/technology effects, or a closely related area
Working knowledge of and demonstrated engagement with AI systems
Established, recognized standing in the youth safety/wellbeing research field, evidenced by publications, leadership roles, and/or peer recognition
Demonstrated experience guiding and organizing groups composed of senior academic and clinical experts
Ability to engage senior experts in substantive scientific discussion
Ability to provide independent scientific leadership with AI industry partners, funders, and stakeholders
Prior experience chairing, serving on, or running a scientific advisory board, review panel, or similarly convened expert body preferred
Ability to set a defensible evidentiary bar and act without requiring full field consensus
Strong relationship-building ability with senior academics, AI-company leadership, funders, and policymakers
Demonstrated moral and scientific integrity under commercial or institutional pressure
Strong network across academic, clinical, industry, and policy communities working on youth safety and technology
Comfort operating at start-up speed in a newly formed organization with evolving processes and limited infrastructure
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Ability to translate scientific nuance for engineering, policy, and public audiences
Qualified candidates must submit a resume and cover letter specifying salary expectations

Benefits

Comp & perks

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