Research Assistant, Race & Ethnicity

Position Summary

The Research Assistant will support the Pew Research Center’s Race and Ethnicity research team. The primary responsibility of the Research Assistant is to provide fact-checking and proof-reading of publications; creating charts, tables, and slides; organizing relevant polling data; and performing research and analysis as required. Other responsibilities include tabulating and analyzing survey data collected by the Race and Ethnicity research team, analyzing qualitative data from focus groups, and analyzing data from other sources, such as the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey and the Current Population Survey. Of foremost importance is ensuring that data analysis and reporting meet the highest standards of accuracy and impartiality. The ideal candidate will have a bachelor’s degree in the social or computational sciences and a demonstrated interest in research on race and ethnicity in the United States, such as Asian Americans, Black Americans, and Latinos, and/or in immigration.

This position reports to the Associate Director of Race and Ethnicity research.

Primary Responsibilities

• Number checking, fact checking, proofing
• Tabulate and analyze data from surveys and other social science databases
• Creating tables and charts in MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint
• Building and checking survey toplines
• Performing background research on issues and public policies
• Data cleaning, maintaining and reviewing internal files and databases

Education/Training/Experience

• A bachelor’s degree is required, with concentration in a field related to one of our research areas
• Coursework in statistics or experience with statistical analysis required
• Strong quantitative skills, background in data management and analysis preferred
• Experience with statistical software, such as SPSS and Stata strongly preferred
• Prior experience working with survey data or other large micro datasets is desirable
• Proficiency in a non-English language is desirable

Knowledge and Skill Requirements

• Interest in race and ethnicity in the United States
• Interest in attitudinal, behavioral or demographic research related to social, economic and political change in the U.S.
• A “numbers person” with quantitative and statistical skills
• Strong verbal and written communications skills
• Proven facility with MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint
• Knowledge of how to display data in easy-to-understand ways in tables and charts in both Excel and Word
• Detail oriented and ability to maintain accuracy and impartiality in all work products
• Ability to work well in a team setting
• Demonstrated ability to work accurately on deadlines
• Ability to balance and prioritize multiple tasks

FLSA Status: Non-exempt

The typical starting salary for this position is $58,700 

Location:

Pew Research Center staff are required to be present in the Center’s Washington, D.C., office two core days weekly (Tuesday, Wednesday).  Staff may work virtually from remote locations on other days in a typical work week. 

Application procedure 

Click on the Apply button, and complete required fields. Both cover letter and resume are required. 

When requested, please upload a copy of your resume/cv, as well as a copy of your cover letter in the section labeled Resume/Cover Letter. If the documents have successfully uploaded, you should see 2 attached files beneath the “Drop files here” box. Please make sure you have uploaded a resume AND a cover letter before moving on to the next page. 

Total Rewards 

In addition to competitive pay, Pew Research Center’s employees enjoy a robust total rewards package that includes: 

Affordable, comprehensive health care that includes medical, dental (including adult orthodontia) and vision benefits.

Generous paid annual leave plan, including a winter break between Dec. 25 and Jan. 1

Employer-paid disability, life insurance and paid family leave plans

Up to a 12% employer 401(k) contribution, with vesting at the end of the first year.

A 37.5-hour workweek.

Health savings or flexible spending account options with employer funding component.

Flexibility to telework up to 60% for most staff