Part-Time Research Assistant

American University; United States; On-site; USD 23,000 - 32,000; Part time

Job summary

American University in Washington, DC, invites applications for a part-time, non-exempt Research Assistant in the Kogod School of Business. The role focuses on project-based research, literature reviews, data management, and administrative support to faculty on leadership, the future of work, and knowledge networks.

Responsibilities include gathering sources, organizing data, supporting survey design and data collection, and producing written summaries and reports to advance research objectives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent. 1–3 years of relevant experience.
• Master’s degree preferred and beneficial for the role.
• Non-exempt; part-time, temporary position ending by 2026-12-31.

Responsibilities

• Conduct literature searches and web-based research; summarize sources related to leadership and knowledge networks.
• Perform data transcription, compilation, and cleaning; prepare data files for review.
• Assist with survey design and data collection procedures; track responses and data integrity.
• Maintain project timelines and documentation; coordinate meetings and updates with supervising faculty.
• Draft and edit communications, reports, and summaries of findings.

Skills

Literature review

Data management

Survey design support

Administrative support

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

Survey design tools

Data cleaning

Job description

American University is a student-centered research institution located in Washington, DC, with highly-ranked schools and colleges, internationally-renowned faculty, and a reputation for creating meaningful change in the world.

Learn more about American University Department: Kogod School of Business

• Time Type: Part time
• Job Type: Temporary (Fixed Term)
• FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
• Work Modality:
• Union: Excluded

Job Description

The Research Assistant provides project-based research, data management, and administrative support to faculty in the Kogod School of Business, focusing on topics such as leadership, the future of work, and knowledge networks. This position is responsible for organizing and tracking research projects, conducting literature and web-based research, supporting survey design and data collection, cleaning and compiling data, and preparing clear written summaries and reports to advance faculty research objectives.

Essential Functions

• Project-based research support: Conduct literature searches and web-based research; compile, summarize, and synthesize academic and practitioner sources related to leadership, future of work, and knowledge networks; assist in developing research questions and organizing source materials.
• Data management and analysis support: Perform data transcription, compilation, and data cleaning; conduct basic content analysis; use research-related software and tools to manage datasets; prepare organized data files and documentation for faculty review.
• Survey and data collection activities: Assist with survey design and formatting; support implementation of data collection procedures (e.g., survey distribution, follow-up communication); track responses and ensure data integrity for ongoing projects.
• Project organization, tracking, and scheduling: Maintain project timelines, task lists, and tracking documents; coordinate scheduling of meetings and research-related activities; monitor progress on project milestones and communicate status updates to supervising faculty.
• Administrative and communication support: Draft and edit emails, memos, and brief reports; organize digital files and documentation; support general administrative needs for faculty research projects, ensuring clear and timely communication.
• Reporting and documentation: Prepare summary reports, tables, and brief written summaries of research and data findings; maintain organized records of methodologies, procedures, and project decisions for future reference and renewal of the position.

Competencies

• Serving Customers.
• Displaying Creativity.
• Prioritizing and Organizing.
• Acquiring and Analyzing Information.
• Supporting Coworkers.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

Non-exempt. 10-15 hours per week. This is a temporary position ending on or before December 31, 2026.

Salary

Salary Range: $20/hour.

Required Education and Experience

Bachelor's degree or equivalent. 1-3 years of relevant experience.

Preferred Education and Experience

Master's degree. 1-3 years of relevant experience.

Benefits

Clickhere to learn about American University's unique benefit options.

Other Details

Hiring offers for this position are contingent on successful completion of a background check. Employees in staff positions at American University must deliver their services to the university from either the District of Columbia, Maryland, or Virginia, or perform work on-site at the university. Please note this job announcement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

E-Verify

American University is an E-Verify employer.

Current American University Employees

American University current employees must apply through their employee Workday account. If you are a current employee at American University, please log into Workday and select the Find Jobs report which will take you to our internal career listings.

Contact Us

For more information or assistance with the American University careers site, email [e-mail].

Equal Opportunity Statement

American University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution that operates in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. The university does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy), age, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, personal appearance, gender identity and expression, family responsibilities, political affiliation, source of income, veteran status, an individual’s genetic information or any other bases under federal or local laws (collectively \"Protected Bases\") in its programs and activities.

American University is a student centered research institution located in Washington, DC, with highly-ranked schools and colleges, internationally-renowned faculty, and a reputation for creating meaningful change in the world.