Research Administrator

The Public Interest Network; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 40,000 - 43,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Time off

Commuter benefit

401(k) with employer match

Parental leave

Long term disability insurance

Student loan assistance

Job summary

The Public Interest Network is seeking a Research Administrator to support the development of our in-house think tank and work closely with leadership to advance a bold national conversation. This role will focus on organizing research resources, tracking projects, and building networks with like-minded organizations and conferences.

Ideal candidates bring 1–3 years of relevant experience, strong organizational and budget skills, and a passion for progressive public interest work.

Qualifications

• You’re interested in solving big problems.
• You’re proactive. When you see a problem to solve or something to be done, you do it.
• You’re smart, detail-oriented, and organized.
• You’re open-minded and able to work with people with differing viewpoints.
• You’re accountable and respect goals and deadlines.
• You’re ready to start from scratch with an idea and help build a lasting institution.

Responsibilities

• Procuring, organizing, and archiving useful resources for research projects.
• Keeping track of various think tank projects, and providing regular updates to leadership.
• Building our list of potential contacts and collaborators, like-minded organizations, and relevant conferences.
• Exploring potential funding opportunities and presenting findings to leadership staff.
• Coordinating weekly team calls and ad hoc meetings and retreats.
• Maintaining the team’s budget and processing expenses.
• Potential additional projects such as helping to create and curate a monthly publication or managing an intern program.
• Working with other departments and teams in The Public Interest Network as needed to provide organizational support.

Skills

Problem solving mindset

Proactive

Detail-oriented

Organized

Open-minded

Accountability

Job description

Research Administrator

Department: Executive Office

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Denver, CO

Compensation: $40,250 - $42,750 / year

Description

The Public Interest Network is hiring a Research Administrator who will work closely with leadership staff to develop our in‑house “think tank,” which is dedicated to re‑orienting America’s political and cultural conversation.

According to a 2020 study in Nature, the combined mass of man‑made things now outweighs all life on Earth. We already produce more food than we can eat and more clothes than we can wear. And our continued pursuit of limitless economic growth and job creation has profound consequences, amongst them: the pollution of our environment, the use of toxic chemicals in products – even toys – on store shelves, and a fanatical commitment to keeping people in jobs even if those jobs are dangerous or soul‑crushing or unnecessary.

It’s time to change our thinking and ask big questions, like:

• Why do we still treat economic growth as synonymous with progress, even as its costs overwhelm its benefits?
• What if the real challenge of automation is not job loss, but our inability to imagine a good life beyond traditional employment?

Key Responsibilities

The administrator will provide critical support to the development of the think tank project. This position requires excellent judgment, discretion and the ability to oversee significant projects. Responsibilities may include, but are not limited to:

• Procuring, organizing, and archiving useful resources for research projects.
• Keeping track of various think tank projects, and providing regular updates to leadership.
• Building our list of potential contacts and collaborators, like-minded organizations, and relevant conferences.
• Exploring potential funding opportunities and presenting findings to leadership staff.
• Coordinating weekly team calls and ad hoc meetings and retreats.
• Maintaining the team’s budget and processing expenses.
• Potential additional projects such as helping to create and curate a monthly publication or managing an intern program.
• Working with other departments and teams in The Public Interest Network as needed to provide organizational support.

Qualifications

• You’re interested in solving big problems. You have a strong affinity for our vision of a new politics that faces today’s challenges head on.
• You’re proactive. When you see a problem to solve or something to be done, you do it.
• You’re smart, detail‑oriented, and organized. You can manage multiple projects and you thrive when under a deadline.
• You’re open‑minded. You can get your head around complex issues, are willing to have open dialogue about problems, and are okay working with people whose viewpoints may differ.
• You’re accountable. You respect goals and deadlines.
• You're ready to put in the hard work to start from scratch with just an idea and help turn it into a lasting institution.

Ideal candidates will have 1-3 years of experience, but entry‑level candidates with a passion for our issues, mission, and values are encouraged to apply.

Details

Compensation and Benefits

The starting target annual compensation for this position is $40,250-$42,750. The Public Interest Network offers an excellent benefits package. Our benefits package includes medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and dependents, time off, a commuter benefit program, a 401(k) plan with employer match, parental leave, long term disability insurance, and may include needs‑based student loan assistance. We also offer an excellent training program and opportunities for advancement.

Location

Denver, CO

Why work with The Public Interest Network?

Check out ten reasons: https://publicinterestnetwork.org/why-work-with-us/.

Our Mission and Values

The Public Interest Network operates and supports organizations committed to a shared vision of a better world and a strategic approach to social change. Visit https://publicinterestnetwork.org/core-values for things you should know about our network when you apply. Within the first document you will find a link to a second; please read both carefully.

Please do not use AI to help draft your cover letter or responses to our application questions. We want to know how you think and write.

Fund for the Public Interest is an equal opportunity employer.