Scientific Director, Youth Safety & Wellbeing

American Psychological Association

. Carry scientific authority for the Youth Safety & Wellbeing priority area .

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, with a strong ability to translate scientific evidence into actionable product requirements. Proven track record in building relationships across academia, industry, and policy, while maintaining scientific integrity under pressure.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Ph.D. In Relevant FieldActive Research Record In Youth DevelopmentChairing Scientific Advisory BoardsWorking Knowledge Of AI SystemsExcellent Communication Skills

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Behavioral Science TranslationEvidence-Informed ActionScientific ReviewSpecifications Workstream ManagementYouth Safety Research

Soft Skills

Relationship BuildingIndependent Position HoldingAdaptability In Start-Up Environments

Industry Keywords

Youth SafetyWellbeing ResearchMedia/Technology EffectsPublic HealthHuman-Computer Interaction

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Carry scientific authority for the Youth Safety & Wellbeing priority area
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 credible scientific representative for the priority area
Maintain a broad, current network across academia, clinical practice, and industry research
Own the Specifications workstream for Youth Safety & Wellbeing
Translate behavioral science and scientific evidence into engineer-ready product and design requirements
Set the scientific bar for evidence-informed action in a rapidly evolving field
Serve as scientific reviewer and sign-off authority for Public Guidance deliverables
Partner with Center staff on cross-workstream questions and deliverables
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 convenings, funder and industry conversations, 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 the model for future priority-area Scientific Leads

Requirements

What you’ll need

Ph.D. in a relevant field (e.g., 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
Prior experience chairing, serving on, or otherwise 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 ability to build relationships with senior academics, AI-company leadership, funders, and policymakers
Track record of holding independent positions under commercial or institutional pressure
Strong network across academic, clinical, industry, and policy communities working on youth safety and technology
Comfortable operating at start-up speed in a newly formed, pilot-phase organization
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Ability to translate scientific nuance for engineering, policy, and public audiences
Qualified candidates must attach 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