Pregnancy Justice is Seeking a Research Assistant to Track Post-Dobbs Pregnancy Criminalization Cases in the United States 2026/2027

The organization Pregnancy Justice has opened applications for a full-time Research Assistant position based in New York City, supporting its ongoing national research into pregnancy-related criminalization in the United States following the Supreme Court’s Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision.

The role is part of a larger interdisciplinary research effort documenting how pregnancy is policed through the legal system and how these cases affect pregnant people across multiple U.S. states.

The position runs from August 17, 2026 to April 30, 2027, with the possibility of extension depending on grant funding availability.

Research Initiative Focuses on Pregnancy Criminalization in Post-Dobbs America

Pregnancy Justice’s research team is conducting a landmark study tracking pregnancy-related prosecutions across the United States in the years following the reversal of Roe v. Wade.

The initiative, known as the Pregnancy Prosecutions Tracking Study, is designed to document:

• The extent of pregnancy-related arrests and prosecutions
• Legal patterns emerging after Dobbs
• The impact of criminalization on pregnant individuals
• State-level variations in enforcement and policy
• Broader social and public health implications

The study is conducted in collaboration with academic researchers in several U.S. states, including Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina, Texas, and Oklahoma.

Research Assistant Will Support National Data Collection and Legal Analysis

The Research Assistant will play a key role in collecting, organizing, and analyzing case data related to pregnancy criminalization across the United States.

Core responsibilities include:

• Submitting formal data requests to courts and administrative agencies
• Reviewing legal records for relevance to pregnancy-related prosecutions
• Coding case data for quantitative research analysis
• Supporting data quality control and verification processes
• Assisting with data visualization and reporting
• Preparing summaries and case narratives for public-facing research outputs

The role also involves contributing to the organization’s online data center and supporting requests from journalists, researchers, and policy stakeholders.

Hybrid Work Model Based in New York City

The position is structured as a hybrid role, requiring staff to work:

• At least 2 days per week in the New York City office
• Additional in-person attendance as needed for project requirements
• Remote work flexibility for data analysis and research tasks

The organization noted that occasional travel may be required depending on research needs and collaboration activities.

Salary Structure Based on Experience Level

The Research Assistant position offers a structured salary range based on years of relevant experience:

• 1 year of experience: $71,225
• 2 years of experience: $73,005
• 3 years of experience: $74,830

The role is full-time, non-exempt, and grant-funded through April 30, 2027, with the possibility of renewal depending on funding continuation.

Required Skills Emphasize Precision, Ethics, and Data Handling

Applicants are expected to demonstrate strong organizational and analytical skills, particularly in handling sensitive legal and research data.

Minimum qualifications include:

• 1–3 years of experience in research, nonprofit, or public sector work
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy in data coding
• Proficiency in Excel and Google Sheets
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality standards
• Strong time management and deadline adherence
• Capacity to work independently and collaboratively

The organization also emphasizes ethical responsibility and careful handling of sensitive legal and human rights-related data.

Role Embedded in Legal and Public Policy Research Framework

The Research Assistant will contribute to an interdisciplinary project combining legal research, data science, and public policy analysis.

The work supports broader efforts to:

• Inform policymakers and advocates
• Provide empirical evidence on pregnancy-related prosecutions
• Document post-Dobbs legal trends
• Support human rights-based advocacy strategies
• Publish research findings for academic and public audiences

The role operates under Institutional Review Board (IRB) compliance requirements to ensure ethical research practices.

Organizational Values Emphasize Integrity and Inclusion

Pregnancy Justice highlighted that candidates should demonstrate strong alignment with its mission, particularly in advancing the rights and dignity of pregnant individuals.

Core competencies emphasized by the organization include:

• Integrity and ethical decision-making
• Strategic thinking and analytical reasoning
• Collaboration across diverse teams
• Clear and effective communication
• Commitment to continuous learning and feedback
• Adaptability in a fast-changing legal environment

The organization also strongly encourages applicants from underrepresented backgrounds and promotes inclusive hiring practices.

Workplace Conditions and Flexibility

The role is primarily office-based or hybrid, with occasional travel and offsite meetings.

Work conditions include:

• Standard office and remote research environments
• Periodic extended work hours depending on deadlines
• Flexible Friday scheduling when operationally feasible
• Collaborative and team-oriented research setting

Pregnancy Justice also provides reasonable accommodations for pregnant individuals and people with disabilities throughout the hiring process.

Union Representation and Employment Protections

The position is part of a collective bargaining unit represented by the Association of Legal Advocates and Attorneys – UAW Local 2325. Employment terms, including salary structure and benefits, are governed by a collective bargaining agreement.

The organization stated that it is committed to maintaining transparent and respectful labor-management relations across its workforce.

Advancing Legal Research on Reproductive Rights in the United States

The Research Assistant role reflects growing efforts to systematically document the legal and social consequences of reproductive rights policy changes in the United States.

By tracking pregnancy-related prosecutions and analyzing legal trends, Pregnancy Justice aims to produce evidence that can inform public debate, legal reform, and human rights advocacy.

The organization continues to position its research as a key resource for understanding the evolving landscape of reproductive justice in the post-Dobbs era.

VISIT OFFICIAL WEBSITE TO APPLY

For more opportunities such as these please follow us on Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Twitter, LinkedIn and WPChannel

Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the organization offering this opportunity. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications & CVs to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails, we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.