At the heart of Tufts University’s mission lies a deep commitment to creating a more just, inclusive, and peaceful world through education, research, and innovation. For more than 170 years, Tufts has been a leader in shaping minds that go on to lead governments, organizations, and movements. Across its schools and institutes, Tufts cultivates a spirit of inquiry and service that transcends disciplines and borders.
The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy — the university’s flagship institution for international affairs — embodies this mission with unmatched distinction. As the first professional graduate school of international affairs in the United States, founded in 1933, Fletcher has been a cradle for global leadership, producing generations of diplomats, policymakers, peacebuilders, economists, and advocates for social change. Its alumni network extends into every corner of the world, reflecting a shared dedication to solving humanity’s most complex challenges.
Today, The Fletcher School continues to innovate through cutting-edge programs that redefine what it means to study and practice global affairs. Among its most influential centers is the World Peace Foundation (WPF) — a think tank and research hub that reimagines peace as a dynamic, just, and achievable condition. Now, through the newly launched Future of World Peace Project, the Foundation seeks a visionary leader to guide one of its most ambitious undertakings yet: a comprehensive initiative exploring what peace could — and should — look like in the coming generation.
Tufts University invites applications for the position of Research Program Lead, Future of Peace – The Fletcher School. This is a three-year limited-term role, with the possibility of extension, and represents a unique opportunity to shape the intellectual and operational direction of a program that aims to transform global discourse on peacebuilding.
The World Peace Foundation (WPF), housed at The Fletcher School, stands at the forefront of interdisciplinary research on peace and conflict. Its mission is to advance innovative thinking, policy analysis, and advocacy that can reduce armed violence and build sustainable peace worldwide. Through partnerships with scholars, governments, international organizations, and civil society actors, the Foundation bridges the gap between academic inquiry and practical solutions.
The Future of Peace Project is an ambitious new initiative that envisions peace not as a distant ideal, but as an evolving, actionable framework. Grounded in rigorous research and critical reflection, the project will investigate historical lessons, contemporary challenges, and emerging opportunities that can redefine pathways toward non-violent futures.
The project will also engage with a global network of thinkers, practitioners, and institutions to explore transformative ideas — from the economics of peace to the cultural, environmental, and technological conditions that foster sustainable coexistence. By building collaborations and creating spaces for experimentation, it seeks to position the World Peace Foundation as a premier center for thought leadership on what peace will mean in the 21st century and beyond.
The Research Program Lead will serve as the intellectual and operational cornerstone of the Future of Peace Project. Reporting to the WPF Research Director, this individual will design, implement, and oversee the project’s key strategies, partnerships, and activities. The ideal candidate will combine scholarly depth with managerial experience, demonstrating both a passion for advancing peace and the organizational acumen to deliver complex, multi-stakeholder programs.
This position is a grant-funded role and, as such, is not eligible for severance pay. However, it comes with a profound professional opportunity: to lead one of the most forward-looking peace research initiatives in the world from within a globally respected academic institution.
The position is based in Somerville, Massachusetts, with hybrid work flexibility and opportunities for international collaboration and travel.
Working closely with the WPF Research Director, the Research Program Lead will conceptualize and design the program’s overall framework, including research themes, partnership strategies, and implementation plans. Specific responsibilities will include:
This role requires a combination of creativity and structure: the ability to think expansively about global peace challenges while building the systems that make large-scale research and engagement possible.
The Research Program Lead will manage the planning, coordination, and execution of all project activities. This includes:
The successful candidate will be adept at managing complex projects, balancing timelines and budgets while fostering creativity and collaboration among diverse partners.
Effective communication is central to the Future of Peace Project’s mission. The Research Program Lead will:
The ideal candidate will not only understand the power of ideas but also how to communicate them effectively to different audiences, from academic peers to policymakers and the general public.
Beyond managing the program, the Research Program Lead will maintain their own research agenda aligned with the themes of peacebuilding and conflict transformation. This includes:
This dual role — as both a researcher and a leader — ensures that the position remains intellectually stimulating while advancing the broader institutional mission.
The successful candidate will be a strategic thinker, capable of balancing intellectual depth with administrative excellence. They will bring empathy, creativity, and a global perspective to one of the most compelling roles in contemporary peace research.
This role is part of Tufts University’s Academic Programs division within The Fletcher School and is categorized as a hybrid position, allowing flexibility to balance on-campus engagement with remote work.
The salary range for the position is $65,900 – $98,800, with compensation determined based on experience, expertise, and internal equity. New hires can generally expect an offer between the minimum and midpoint of the range.
As a Tufts employee, the Research Program Lead will enjoy comprehensive benefits, including health coverage, retirement plans, professional development support, and access to an intellectually vibrant community.
Tufts University is deeply committed to fostering an inclusive environment where diverse perspectives thrive. The university actively encourages applications from members of underrepresented groups and values the contributions of individuals from all backgrounds.
The Fletcher School recognizes that addressing global peace and conflict requires not only scholarly excellence but also cultural awareness and humility. The World Peace Foundation’s work is enriched by a team that reflects global diversity, ensuring that the Future of Peace Project is informed by multiple lived experiences and worldviews.
Tufts’ Office of Equal Opportunity provides resources and guidance to uphold fairness and equity in recruitment, employment, and community engagement. The university’s non-discrimination policy ensures that all applicants and employees are treated with respect and equality, regardless of race, gender, age, religion, national origin, disability, or sexual orientation.
Becoming part of The Fletcher School means joining a legacy of excellence, innovation, and global leadership. The school’s interdisciplinary model combines international law, economics, diplomacy, and security studies, preparing graduates and scholars to navigate the complexities of the modern world.
The Research Program Lead role is more than a job — it is an opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the advancement of peace in theory and practice. It allows the incumbent to engage directly with the pressing issues of our time: war and conflict, climate change, humanitarian crises, governance challenges, and the ethical dimensions of global interaction.
At Tufts, ideas are not confined to classrooms; they are tested in the real world. The university’s collaborative ecosystem encourages cross-sector partnerships, translating academic insights into actionable strategies. As a member of this environment, the Research Program Lead will have access to world-class scholars, global networks, and platforms that amplify innovative thinking on peace.
In a century marked by both progress and peril, the meaning of peace is being redefined. Traditional approaches focused on conflict resolution and ceasefires are giving way to broader understandings that encompass justice, sustainability, equity, and resilience.
The Future of Peace Project seeks to chart this new frontier. Through interdisciplinary research and engagement, it will explore how social, economic, and technological forces shape the possibilities of peace. It will also confront uncomfortable questions — about power, privilege, and historical legacies — that must be addressed to achieve lasting harmony among nations and communities.
The Research Program Lead will play a pivotal role in guiding this exploration, ensuring that the WPF remains at the forefront of global thought leadership. This is a chance to influence how institutions, governments, and societies think about peace — not merely as the absence of conflict, but as the active presence of justice, opportunity, and human dignity.
Interested candidates are encouraged to submit an online application through the Tufts University Careers Portal. The posting reference number is 22456 under the Academic Programs category. Applicants should include:
All applicants must complete the required background checks at the time of hire, promotion, or transfer.
For inquiries, candidates may contact the Tufts University Human Resources Department or reach out via the official Fletcher School recruitment channels.
This is more than an academic position — it is an invitation to shape the global conversation on what peace can mean in the decades ahead. The Research Program Lead, Future of Peace role combines intellectual leadership, program management, and visionary thinking. It offers a unique platform to engage with the world’s most pressing challenges from within one of the world’s most respected universities.
At Tufts and The Fletcher School, ideas meet action, scholarship meets impact, and research meets humanity. Join us in imagining — and building — a more peaceful world.
For more opportunities, visit: opportunitiesforwomen.org/
Copyright 2025 Site. All rights reserved powered by Opportunities for Women
Comments are off for this post.