Research Assistant Jobs in Springfield, VA (NOW HIRING)

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, D.C. Our mission is to equip decision-makers with nonpartisan research and policy strategies to create a more prosperous and secure country and world. 

To advance our mission, we are committed to the following four goals: 

• Develop economic growth strategies for a changing world 

• Expand economic and social opportunity for all 

• Revitalize U.S. democratic institutions 

• Advance peace and security worldwide 

At the core of our mission is the quality, independence, and impact of our research. We are dedicated to finding bold, pragmatic solutions for societal challenges through open-minded inquiry, diverse perspectives, and holding ourselves to the highest standards of scholastic rigor. 

Beyond the pursuit of excellence and intellectual rigor, Brookings places immense value on creating a supportive and collaborative environment where every individual can do their best work, learn, and grow. Because of this, Brookings has been at the forefront of public policy for more than a century. 

About the Economic Studies Program: The Economic Studies program analyzes current and emerging economic issues facing the United States and the world and, based on that research, provides innovative, practical policy recommendations. ES's work covers a broad array of economic issues, including economic growth, economic opportunity and mobility, the labor market, regulation, health policy, the environment, tax policy, retirement policy, and fiscal and monetary policy. Economic Studies scholars influence key economic policies by conducting rigorous and relevant research and then disseminating and communicating their findings to the policy community and to the broader public.

Position Location: This position is hybrid. Hybrid positions combine regular in-person presence at our Washington, DC office with the option of two days of remote work each week.  

Please note: This position is included in the staff bargaining unit, Brookings United, affiliated with the IFPTE Local 70 union, and is covered under the terms of the collective bargaining agreement. 

Ready to contribute to Brookings success? 

The Research Assistant supports scholars conducting research and policy analysis on global trade and capital flows, and the policies that shape them, with a particular focus on their role in geopolitics and economic statecraft. Duties include programming, and statistical assistance to designated scholar(s), database collection and database management, and drafting materials and summarizing results for incorporation into working papers and publications. The Research Assistant will also provide administrative, project, and event support to assigned senior fellows.

Quantitative Analysis, Programming, and Statistical Support (45%)

• Work jointly with senior scholars on research projects, including preparing and revising programming code; simulation macros; database files; regression estimates; acquiring data; creating charts and graphs; developing statistical analysis; and other general research support activities.

• Prepare tables and graphs output from model simulations.

• Assemble, consolidate, and check data from new sources

Research Support (35%)

• In collaboration with senior research staff, draft material summarizing research results on specific topics as assigned, for incorporation into working papers and project publications.

• Provide analytical reviews and summaries of existing literature pertinent to the projects.

• Locate, collect, and analyze relevant documents and data from sources such as electronic databases, libraries, and government publications.

• Compile, read, abstract, and organize written material into bibliographic form and summaries.

• Maintain electronic bibliography files.

• Assist with special projects and perform other duties as assigned.

Office and Administrative Support (10%)

• Schedule appointments and coordinate calendars. Make travel requests and process reimbursements.

• Organize and maintain paper and electronic files.

• Maintain detailed records of scholar(s)' activities, including publications, meetings, media contacts, and boards. Update CVs and publications on website.

• Compose and edit letters, memoranda, papers, and other documents from verbal instructions or from notes.

• Respond to social invitations, media requests, speaking engagement invitations, and other inquiries.

• Collaborate with communications team to ensure dissemination of project publications and event notices and day-of-event logistics.

Event Planning (5%)

• Assist with planning and organizing public events, private seminars, Hill events, and other meetings as necessary.

• Handle logistics and administrative arrangements.

• Correspond with authors and other meeting participants.

• Draft letters, briefing materials and other documents for events and projects.

Communication and Outreach (5%)

• Work with communication team to update relevant web pages, including writing and editing summaries of research projects.

• Update web pages in support of the scholars' area of interest.

• Conduct Internet searches for information to support documentation presented in related web pages.

• Gather related bibliographic, link and current event information in support of pages to be created for a scholar's topic area.

• Correspond with collaborating researchers in other institutions.

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 other Social Sciences with a minor in Economics required. One year of job or internship experience in economics, policy research, and/or computer modeling preferred but not required; experience can come from part-time work, work in a college setting, or internships. Competence to undertake research assignments with little supervision required. Must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S.

Knowledge/Skill Requirements

Microsoft Office experience required (Word, Power Point, Excel). Strong computer skills research experience required. Experience with economic data visualization techniques and tools such as Datawrapper and Tableau is preferred. Experience with software such as STATA, R or other econometric packages required.

Application Procedure

Please read and follow all application procedures carefully. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and only those selected for an interview will be contacted.  

Please note: Applicants who meet our minimum application qualifications as outlined in the Job Description may be contacted to submit additional materials required by our hiring committee. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

A complete application will include ALL of the following items:

• Current resume

• Cover letter

• A copy of your latest (unofficial) undergraduate transcript (and a graduate transcript if applicable)  o If you are submitting an international transcript, please be sure to include a Grade Key

More information about being a research assistant in Economic Studies may be found here.

Additional Information 

What can we offer you? Brookings provides a generous benefit package that is comprehensive and includes both traditional benefits and unique offerings. Our comprehensive benefits package includes medical, dental, and vision benefits, generous time off, and workplace flexibility. For more information, please visit Brookings Benefits.   

Brookings requires that all applicants submit a cover letter and resume. Please attach your cover letter and resume as one document when you apply.Please note: if you have applied to more than one Brookings job opening you should add a position-specific cover letter as a separate attachment. 

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

Brookings welcomes and celebrates diversity in all its forms, including diversity of experience, thought, and personal background. We welcome applications that reflect a variety of backgrounds based on ideology, race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, 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.All selection decisions are based upon merit, skills, abilities and experience.