Research Assistant, Brown Center on Education Policy

Research Assistant, Brown Center on Education Policy (Job ID: 2020-2473)

The Brookings Institution

Washington, DC 20036

Overview:

Join one of the most influential, most quoted and most trusted think tanks!

The Brookings Institution is a nonprofit public policy organization based in Washington, DC. Our mission is to conduct in-depth research that leads to new ideas for solving problems facing society at the local, national and global level.

We bring together leading experts in government and academia from all over the world, rooted in open-minded inquiry and representing diverse points of view, who provide the highest quality research, policy recommendations, and analysis. Research topics cover a full range of public policy issues in economics, foreign policy, development, governance and metropolitan policy.

With fair and transparent business practices, clear communication, mutual respect, and a collaborative atmosphere that offers both professional and personal development opportunities, Brookings offers an inclusive and welcoming workplace that values the efforts of all contributors.

The Governance Studies (GS) program at Brookings aims to be the leading, independent voice in the domestic policymaking sphere. Though analyzing public policy, contemporary governance challenges, and political institutions and processes, Governance Studies aims to inform debate and provide policymakers with tools and ideas to improve institutional governance at the national level.

Please note: This position is based in Brookings' Washington, DC office. In response to COVID-19, Brookings staff are temporarily teleworking. The person hired for this position must be willing to move to or currently reside in Washington DC, Maryland, or Northern Virginia by their date of hire.

Responsibilities:

Ready to contribute to Brookings success?

The Research Assistant position in the Brown Center on Education Policy is responsible for providing assistance to research Fellows with programming, data analysis, high-quality research, and reporting tasks as needed on a wide variety of topics within education policy.

Programming, Data Analysis and Statistical Assistance (45%)

Use STATA software to import, validate, clean, and manipulate data files for use in statistical analysis.

Produce charts and tables containing results.

Program in STATA with carefully documented files so that cleaning and analysis can be reproduced when necessary.

Execute in-depth data analysis and regressions, as directed by senior research staff.

Research Assistance (30%)

Compile, read, and provide analytical reviews and summaries of diverse existing literatures from multiple fields of science pertinent to projects.

In collaboration with senior research staff, draft material for incorporation into working papers and project publications, particularly literature reviews.

Maintain electronic bibliography files, organize references for manuscripts/websites/proposals, and locate relevant documents from electronic sources.

Write high-quality project material and co-author some papers, blog posts, and other publications.

Communications & Outreach (15%)

Assist in preparation and revision of manuscripts and proposals to publish findings.

Convert analytical outputs to viewable form (tables, figures, and other data visualizations) for reports and presentations.

Manage the Brown Center Chalkboard editorial calendar.

Assist with data visualization for reports and blog posts published on the Brown Center Chalkboard.

Work with scholars to create PowerPoint presentations for use in summarizing research findings.

Assist senior researchers and events manager to plan Brookings events to present research.

Administrative Support (10%)

Assist senior research staff in filing data requests and performance reports, and other miscellaneous administrative tasks.

Assist with intern selection and hiring, and oversee their work.

Qualifications:

Ready to make an impact? In this role, you will support Brookings values of collegiality, respect, inclusion, diversity and community, and bring the following qualifications:

Education/Experience Requirements:

Bachelor’s degree in economics, mathematics/statistics, public policy, or a related field with quantitative emphasis required. Minimum one year of relevant experience (this includes internships and academic projects). Prior experience in quantitative research in social science or education is required. Competence to undertake research assignments with little supervision. Must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S.

Knowledge/Skills Requirements:

Ability to work with empirical data and statistics, strong writing and research skills, and the ability to condense academic articles on a wide variety of education topics. Prior experience with in-depth data analysis, and regression modeling using STATA software is required. Knowledge of Microsoft Office; extensive Internet searching skills; capacity to learn other types of software programs, initiative, discretion, poise, mature judgment, organizational skills to manage office and work commitments independently; and communications outreach and conference planning skills a plus.

Additional Information:

What can we offer you? Brookings provides a generous benefit package that is comprehensive and includes both traditional benefits and unique offerings.

Brookings requires that all applicants submit a cover letter and resume. Please attach your cover letter and resume as one document when you apply.

Successful completion of a background investigation is required for employment at Brookings.

Brookings welcomes and celebrates diversity in all its forms. We welcome applications that reflect a variety of backgrounds based on ideology, race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status, first generation college goers, and other factors protected by law. Brookings is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer that is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive workplace.