Senior Research Assistant

Job Title: Senior Research Assistant

Start Date: Spring/Summer 2026

Position Type: Entry level with 1-2 years of experience

Employment Type: Full-time (average of 40-45 hours per week)

Location: Washington, DC (hybrid)

Residency Type: Authorized to work in the U.S. without immediate employer visa sponsorship (e.g., citizen, lawful permanent resident, STEM OPT with at least two years of remaining eligibility)

Application Deadline: March 31

Keybridge is a boutique economics and public policy consulting firm based in Washington, DC. Our mission is to generate, curate, and apply analytical insights that help organizations create a more prosperous, resilient, and healthy nation. For more than two decades, we have used our expertise in applied economics, public policy, and data analytics to help our clients anticipate and respond to economic trends and advance sound, data-driven public policies. Our clients include leading trade associations, corporations, federal government agencies, and non-profit organizations that operate at the intersection of economics and public policy.

DESCRIPTION

As a Senior Research Assistant, you will apply quantitative and qualitative analytical skills to manage data, identify trends, estimate impacts, and evaluate the effectiveness of programs and policies. You will communicate your research and build data-driven narratives about how the economy and society have changed, could change, or should change. And you will collaborate with teammates who take pride in their work, have a passion for learning, and share your enthusiasm for understanding the inner workings of society, especially the economy, business, finance, politics, and public policy.

You will work on a range of projects that will require you to respond to shorter-term client requests while simultaneously advancing longer-term research efforts. You will develop subject matter expertise across multiple areas, quickly learning new topics and skillfully applying quantitative and qualitative research methods as needed. At the same time, you will be expected to contribute to the firm’s culture and sense of community, whether it be through helping to advance internal initiatives, mentoring more junior colleagues, or facilitating learning sessions on topics of interest to you and the firm’s clients.

If you have a passion for creative problem solving and are interested in working on economic and policy issues in a collaborative environment, we want to hear from you. We welcome applications from individuals with a wide range of backgrounds and experiences, and we realize that skills and competencies show up in different ways and can be based on life experience. Even if you meet many but not all of the qualifications listed below, we encourage you to apply.

Keybridge seeks candidates who are clear communicators and independent, critical thinkers. We recognize the value of AI as a tool that can enhance efficiency and support high-quality work, and employees are encouraged to use AI after completing an internal training program and consistent with approved use cases. During the application process, however, we ask candidates to submit materials that reflect their own thinking and abilities and have not been generated with AI assistance. Our interview process is designed to assess how candidates think, communicate, and engage with ideas across multiple formats. For this reason, application materials should reflect the candidate’s own thinking and voice rather than generated by AI tools. Accordingly, all applicants will be asked to certify that their application materials were prepared without the use of AI.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Bringing a meticulous eye for detail, intellectual curiosity, a willingness to learn on the job, a commitment to critical thinking, and a team-first orientation to every aspect of your work.
• Managing complex databases using various programs and programming languages (e.g., Excel, R, Python)
• Conducting quantitative analysis (e.g., statistical analysis, composite index development, probabilistic modeling, ROI calculations) to identify trends, estimate impacts, and evaluate the effectiveness of programs and policies.
• Conducting literature reviews and environmental scans to critically evaluate and synthesize existing research and build a credible, compelling base of evidence to inform policy development and client advocacy activities.
• Designing and conducting surveys, interviews, and other data collection methods.
• Drafting internal, client-facing, and public-facing products that are logically structured, clearly communicated, and visually compelling, including memos, case studies, reports, data dashboards, and slide decks.
• Developing subject matter expertise in and remaining current on areas of interest to our clients, including but not limited to macroeconomic policy, energy and climate policy, innovation policy, financial policy, and public health.
• Providing project coordination support, including organizing meetings, maintaining detailed notes, tracking the status of tasks, and facilitating client communications.
• Contributing to internal firm initiatives (e.g., contributing to professional development efforts, cultivating a welcoming and inclusive workplace, organizing or participating in social and volunteer activities).
• Performing other minor administrative or operational duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• A keen eye for detail with a commitment to quality and excellence.
• Passion for applied economics, public policy, or corporate social responsibility, and for using analytical tools to make sense of the world.
• 1-2 years of full-time work experience (includes internship experience).
• Undergraduate degree in economics, public policy, public health, business, data analytics, political science, or related field.
• Curious with a drive for learning and continuous improvement.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Enjoys working collaboratively while also moving forward independently as needed.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to multi-task.
• Comfort with remaining flexible and adjusting priorities as client and team needs evolve.
• Work authorization that does not require immediate visa sponsorship (within two years or less) for continued employment in the United States.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Cumulative 1-2 years of professional experience in the following:

• Research, public policy analysis, or consulting.
• Conducting both quantitative and qualitative research.
• Communicating via professional writing and data visualization.
• Navigating key public datasets and sources (e.g., Census survey data, BEA GDP tables, BLS employment tables, EIA Monthly Energy Report, FRED).
• Analytical and data visualization software (e.g., Excel, R, Python, Tableau).

Keybridge is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified candidates will be considered regardless of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS PACKAGE

The compensation and benefits package for this position includes:

• A market-competitive base salary plus annual raises based on performance.
• Additional cash compensation via company-wide annual bonuses and individual quarterly spot bonuses.
• At least 33 days of paid time off per year, including 13 holidays, 20 days of personal time off, and context-specific leave (e.g., voting and bereavement).
• 100% employer-paid, platinum-rated health insurance plan.
• 401(k) retirement savings plan with an employer match of up to 4% with immediate vesting.
• Hybrid work environment with the option to work remotely twice a week, including all Fridays, and flexible work hour arrangements.
• Access to professional development opportunities, programs, training, and resources.
• Paid parental leave (maternity, partner, and adoption).
• Dental, vision, short-term disability, and long-term disability insurance plans.

ABOUT THE KEYBRIDGE COMMUNITY

In addition to meeting the position-specific qualifications described above, we are looking for candidates whose values align with our own. Keybridge's culture is based on five core values that underpin everything we do, from how we treat one another to how we engage with clients and conduct our work.

• Kindness: We are a tight-knit community of professionals who care deeply about our colleagues, support each other personally and professionally, and treat one another with kindness.
• Collaboration: We are a team-first community comprised of people who work well with others, generously share skills and expertise, and genuinely enjoy problem-solving together and contributing to the firm’s success.
• Curiosity: We are a learning organization that values intellectual curiosity and creates space for individuals to problem-solve and brainstorm new ideas, explore their professional interests, cultivate new expertise, and evolve into well-rounded professionals.
• Respectfulness: We are an inclusive community that respects individuals and values the diversity of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives that each of us brings to our work.
• Excellence: We are a community of high performers who hold ourselves to the highest standards, push ourselves to do our best work, and take pride in delivering extraordinary client service.

TO APPLY

Complete the application form linked here. No phone calls or emails, please.