The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) is recruiting for a remote research position within its Europe and Central Asia (ECA) Program, creating an opportunity for experienced professionals interested in journalism, human rights, research, and press freedom.
CPJ is seeking a Researcher, Western and Northern Europe who will monitor and investigate press freedom developments, produce research and analysis, contribute to advocacy initiatives and maintain relationships with journalists and other stakeholders across the region.
The position is fully remote and Europe-based, making it particularly attractive to experienced researchers, journalists and human rights professionals already located in Europe.
Applications are scheduled to close on September 10, 2026.
About the Committee to Protect Journalists
Founded in 1981, the Committee to Protect Journalists is an independent nonprofit organisation dedicated to defending journalists and promoting press freedom around the world.
CPJ monitors threats against journalists and works to draw international attention to attacks on independent media and freedom of expression.
Its research, advocacy and journalist-support activities cover issues ranging from censorship and legal harassment to imprisonment and other threats affecting journalists.
CPJ Researcher Position 2026
The available position sits within CPJ’s Programs, Europe & Central Asia department.
Position Overview
Job Title: Researcher, Western and Northern Europe
Organisation: Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ)
Department: Programs, Europe & Central Asia
Job Band: Researchers & Associates I
Location: Remote, Europe-based
Work Arrangement: Fully remote
Reports to: Program Coordinator, Europe & Central Asia
Application Deadline: September 10, 2026
Salary: Based on experience, skills and candidate location
For applicants hired in the United Kingdom, CPJ provides an expected salary reference range of £45,700–£51,500. Actual compensation may differ depending on where the successful candidate is based.
What Will the Researcher Do?
The Researcher will be responsible for monitoring, researching, documenting and responding to developments affecting journalists and press freedom across Europe and Central Asia, with a particular focus on Western and Northern Europe.
The position combines research, journalism, advocacy, monitoring, stakeholder engagement and journalist assistance.
Monitoring Press Freedom Developments
One of the Researcher’s core responsibilities will be monitoring and documenting developments affecting journalists and media organisations.
This can include issues involving:
- Censorship
- Arrests affecting journalists
- Legal harassment
- Threats against journalists
- Transnational repression
- Other emerging press freedom concerns
The successful candidate will also monitor breaking developments and bring urgent issues to the attention of CPJ’s Europe and Central Asia programme leadership.
Research and Writing Responsibilities
Strong research and writing abilities are central to the position.
The Researcher will contribute to reports, advocacy materials, news alerts, statements, analysis and other CPJ publications.
Responsibilities include conducting research on press freedom issues across Europe and Central Asia and preparing background information and research materials in accordance with CPJ standards.
The successful candidate will also produce factual social media content in coordination with CPJ’s social media team.
Advocacy and Representation
This is not exclusively a desk-based research position.
The Researcher may represent CPJ during conferences and meetings involving journalists, authorities, policymakers, partners and other stakeholders.
The successful candidate will help develop and implement advocacy strategies intended to advance press freedom across Europe and Central Asia.
Both virtual and in-person meetings may form part of these responsibilities.
Working With Journalists and Human Rights Organisations
Relationship building is another important part of the position.
The Researcher will develop and maintain relationships with:
- Journalists
- Human rights organisations
- Civil society stakeholders
- Policymakers
- Government representatives
- Regional partners
The successful candidate will also work with CPJ teams across research, advocacy and assistance to coordinate organisational activities.
Journalist Assistance
The position includes responsibilities connected to CPJ’s Journalist Assistance activities.
The Researcher may conduct research and verification relating to assistance requests and coordinate with CPJ’s Emergencies team and journalists receiving support.
This requires professionalism, confidentiality and careful handling of information.
Required Qualifications and Experience
CPJ is looking for an experienced candidate rather than an entry-level applicant.
Candidates should have a minimum of five years of experience researching, reporting and publishing on global human rights and politics, or equivalent professional experience in advocacy and humanitarian assistance.
Applicants should also demonstrate:
- Strong knowledge of Europe and Central Asia, particularly media and human rights issues
- Excellent English writing and reporting abilities
- Proficiency in at least one additional language relevant to the position
- Strong research skills
- Excellent organisational and time-management abilities
- Experience working with governments and policymakers
- Knowledge of social media tools
- Ability to work independently
- Ability to collaborate effectively within teams
- Professionalism, integrity and confidentiality
- Strong commitment to press freedom
The position also requires proficiency with Google Workspace tools such as Gmail, Calendar, Docs, Sheets and Drive.
Preferred Qualifications
CPJ identifies several additional skills and experiences that may strengthen an application.
These include:
- Knowledge of additional regional languages
- Strong networks of contacts across the region
- Expertise relating to online or digital harms
- Policy development experience
- Multimedia journalism experience
- Data journalism experience
- Experience supporting journalist assistance cases
Applicants do not necessarily need every preferred qualification, but candidates who can demonstrate several of these capabilities may be particularly well aligned with the position.
Language Requirements
Excellent English writing and reporting skills are required.
Candidates must also be proficient in at least one other language relevant to the position.
Additional regional language abilities are considered desirable.
The Researcher may occasionally be expected to translate interviews, documents and other materials between English and relevant local languages.
Is the CPJ Position Fully Remote?
Yes. CPJ classifies the position as fully remote.
However, there is an important geographical restriction: the successful candidate must be located in Europe.
Candidates must also be available to attend meetings according to the U.S. Eastern Time Zone when required.
The position will be hired through an Employer of Record.
Therefore, applicants should not interpret “remote” as meaning the position can necessarily be performed from anywhere in the world.
CPJ Researcher Salary
Compensation depends on the successful applicant’s:
Experience + skills + location.
CPJ provides the United Kingdom as a salary reference point, where the expected range is:
£45,700–£51,500
Candidates based elsewhere in Europe may receive different compensation because CPJ adjusts salary levels according to local market conditions and cost-of-living differences.
Who Should Consider Applying?
This opportunity may be particularly relevant to experienced:
- Journalists
- Investigative researchers
- Human rights researchers
- Press freedom advocates
- Media freedom specialists
- Policy professionals
- Humanitarian professionals
- Advocacy professionals
- Political researchers
- Media researchers
Candidates with professional networks across Western or Northern Europe and experience covering human rights, journalism or freedom of expression may be especially well positioned.
How to Prepare a Strong Application
Applicants should ensure their CV clearly demonstrates the connection between their previous experience and CPJ’s press freedom mission.
Rather than simply listing job responsibilities, candidates can highlight measurable examples of their research, reporting, advocacy and policy work.
Relevant examples might include published investigations, human rights reports, media monitoring projects, policy analysis, advocacy campaigns or research that influenced public discussion or institutional decisions.
Applicants should also highlight relevant language abilities and experience working with journalists, governments, civil society organisations and policymakers.
Why This Opportunity Stands Out
The position combines several professional fields that are often advertised separately.
It brings together:
Journalism + Research + Human Rights + Advocacy + Policy + Press Freedom
It also provides an opportunity to contribute to an international organisation focused specifically on protecting journalists and defending access to independent information.
For professionals who already have substantial experience in journalism, human rights or advocacy, the position could provide an opportunity to apply those skills to regional press freedom challenges.
Application Deadline
The listed closing date for the CPJ Researcher, Western and Northern Europe position is:
September 10, 2026
Because the deadline is approaching, interested candidates should review the complete vacancy requirements and verify the current application status before submitting their application.
Final Thoughts
The CPJ Recruitment 2026 opportunity provides experienced journalism and human rights professionals with the chance to join the Committee to Protect Journalists’ Europe and Central Asia programme while working remotely from Europe.
The successful candidate will research and document threats to press freedom, produce reports and analysis, contribute to advocacy, support journalists and represent CPJ in engagements with stakeholders.
Candidates need at least five years of relevant professional experience, excellent English writing abilities, proficiency in another relevant language, and a strong understanding of media and human rights issues across Europe and Central Asia.
With the application deadline listed as September 10, 2026, eligible candidates interested in press freedom, journalism, and human rights should consider reviewing the vacancy and preparing their applications promptly.
SEO Keywords: CPJ Recruitment 2026, Committee to Protect Journalists jobs, CPJ jobs 2026, remote journalism jobs Europe, remote human rights jobs 2026, press freedom jobs, Europe and Central Asia jobs, remote NGO jobs Europe, journalism research jobs, human rights researcher jobs, international NGO jobs 2026, CPJ Researcher Western and Northern Europe
Also Check
Europe Defence and Security Fellowship 2027: Fully Funded Leadership Programme for Mid-Career Security and Defence Professionals
Council of Europe EYF Grants 2027: Funding for International Long-Term Youth Cooperation Projects
Follow Us On Our Social Media Platforms
WhatsApp Group:
https://chat.whatsapp.com/CculATjfuTNKDISQGtP0uw?s=cl&p=a&mlu=4&ilr=4
WhatsApp Channel:
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb7isAg6buMKEWUmte0K
Facebook Page:
One thought on “CPJ Recruitment 2026: Apply for Remote Press Freedom Positions in Europe and Central Asia”