Research Assistant, Global Attitudes

Dc-Aapor; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 54,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

Pew Research Center, a nonpartisan fact tank in Washington, DC, has an immediate opening for a Research Assistant to support its global research agenda. The Research Assistant will join the Global Attitudes team, conducting worldwide public opinion surveys on international issues such as attitudes toward the U.S.

and foreign policy, views of China, and global economic attitudes. A bachelor’s degree in political science, economics, international affairs, statistics, or a related field is

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree with a concentration in political science, economics, international affairs, statistics or a similar field.
• Strong quantitative and analytical skills with attention to detail.
• Excellent written and verbal communication; ability to synthesize materials for senior staff.
• Experience with data visualization in Excel and Word.
• Ability to balance multiple projects and meet tight deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Number checking and fact-checking
• Create charts and tables for publication
• Assist in PowerPoint presentations
• Produce toplines and demographic crosstabs
• Locate and organize international polling data
• Write survey questions and assist research
• Conduct background research on issues and countries
• Perform statistical analyses and data review
• Quality control of survey scripts and design
• Write and analyze survey findings for publication

Skills

Word/Excel/PowerPoint

SPSS/R/Stata

Data presentation

Attention to detail

Multiple projects

Communication

International affairs interest

Education

B.A. in social sciences

Bachelor’s degree required

Tools

SPSS

R

Stata

Job description

Organization Overview Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan fact tank that informs the public about the issues, attitudes and trends shaping America and the world. It conducts public opinion polling, demographic research, media content analysis and other empirical social science research in the areas of U.S. politics and policy views; news habits and media; internet and technology; religion; race and ethnicity; international affairs; social, demographic and economic trends; science; research methodology and data science; and immigration and migration. Pew Research does not take policy positions. It is a subsidiary of The Pew Charitable Trusts. Pew Research Center’s work is carried out by a staff of about 187.

Position Overview Pew Research Center has an immediate need for a Research Assistant to support its global research agenda. The Research Assistant will be part of the Global Attitudes research team, which conducts worldwide public opinion surveys on major international issues such as attitudes toward the U.S. and American foreign policy, views of China, global economic attitudes, multilateralism, and democracy, as well as how people view conditions in their countries and their own lives. Ideal candidates will have a bachelor’s degree with a concentration in political science, economics, international affairs, statistics, or a similar field of social science. This position will report to the Associate Director of Global Attitudes research.

Primary Responsibilities

• Number checking/fact-checking/proofing
• Making charts and tables for publication
• Assisting in the creation of PowerPoint presentations
• Assisting in topline production and demographic crosstabs
• Assisting in locating and organizing other relevant international polling for questionnaire development, reports, and blog posts
• Assisting in writing survey questions and idea generation for research projects
• Performing background research on issues and countries
• Assisting with statistical analyses and research
• Reviewing and evaluating datasets
• Quality control of survey scripts and design
• Writing and analysis of survey findings for publication

Knowledge and Skill Requirements

• Proven facility with Word, Excel and PowerPoint
• Knowledge of SPSS, R or Stata
• Knowledge of how to display data in easy-to-understand ways in tables and charts in both Excel and Word
• Ability to synthesize materials for senior staff
• Attention to detail, including exacting standards to maintain accuracy in all work products
• Ability to balance multiple projects and meet tight deadlines
• Strong quantitative skills
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Knowledge of and interest in international affairs
• Ability to work collaboratively and collegially with others.
• Ability to balance multiple tasks and meet tight deadlines while ensuring accuracy in data management, fact checking and research.
• While not required, candidates with specialized knowledge in statistical programs, computational social science or other data skills are highly encouraged to apply.
• B.A. degree is required with a concentration in the social sciences, such as political science, economics or similar field
• FLSA Status: Non-exempt
• Compensation: The typical starting salary for this position is $59,900 annually.
• Commitment to our mission: All employees are expected to support Pew Research Center’s nonpartisan, nonadvocacy mission and to approach their work with independence, objectivity and openness to different perspectives. This includes following organizational policies designed to protect the Center’s credibility and public trust.
• Hybrid Work Schedule: Pew Research Center staff are required to be present in the Center’s Washington, D.C., office three core days weekly (Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday). Staff may work virtually from remote locations on other days in a typical work week.

Total Rewards

• Affordable, comprehensive health care that includes medical, dental (including adult orthodontia) and vision benefits.
• Generous paid annual leave plan, including a winter break between Dec. 25 and Jan. 1
• Employer-paid disability, life insurance and paid family leave plans
• Up to a 12% employer 401(k) contribution, with vesting at the end of the first year.
• A 37.5-hour workweek.
• Health savings or flexible spending account options with employer funding component.
• Flexibility to telework a portion of each week, with an additional four telework "flex weeks" each year for most staff.

EOE: Pew Research Center makes employment decisions without regard to age, sex, race, ethnicity, religion, disability, marital status, sexual orientation or gender identity, military/veteran status, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law. We encourage applications from candidates who represent a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills.

Pew Research Center is a great place to work, learn and grow. Our culture is open, collegial, collaborative, supportive and down-to-earth. Our staff is made up of more than 180 smart, talented, mission-driven people who care deeply about the work they do. We hire people from a wide variety of backgrounds, including social science researchers, data scientists, survey methodologists, journalists, graphic artists, web developers, communications professionals, and administrative support and operations staff. In our work we value independence, objectivity, accuracy, rigor, humility, transparency, and innovation. An extension of these values is our vision of a positive, welcoming workplace built on respect, collaboration, openness, accountability, and community building - one where everyone can thrive and contribute to the mission.