Research Associate, Race & Ethnicity

Pew Research Center; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 105,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health care

Paid annual leave

Disability & life insurance

401(k) with employer contribution

Telework flexibility

Job summary

Pew Research Center is seeking a Research Associate to study how Americans understand race, ethnicity, and immigration. Drive questionnaire development, analyze data, and distill findings for journalists and policymakers.

The role demands rigorous standards and strong project management in a fast-paced environment. You will collaborate across teams, shape surveys, and communicate complex results in accessible terms while upholding nonpartisan, nonadvocacy principles.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• Experience with race/ethnicity or immigration research is required.
• 5–10 years of research with 3–6 years in survey research and analysis.
• Strong quantitative skills and survey methodology knowledge.
• Experience communicating results to journalists and policymakers.

Responsibilities

• Lead survey questionnaire development from concept through fielding.
• Analyze survey data and secondary sources; identify key findings.
• Prepare reports, blog posts, and presentations with clear visuals.
• Fact-check and ensure data accuracy and impartiality.
• Map out and manage project plans, timelines, and workflows.
• Engage with external audiences and present findings as needed.

Skills

Survey design

Data analysis

Writing

Project management

Editorial judgment

Public policy knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in social sciences

Advanced degree preferred

Experience in attitudinal research

Tools

R

SPSS

Stata

Excel

Job description

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 race and ethnicity; U.S. politics and policy views; media and journalism; internet and technology; science and society; religion and public life; global attitudes and U.S. social and demographic trends. Pew Research Center does not take policy positions. It is a subsidiary of The Pew Charitable Trusts. The Center’s work is carried out by a staff of about 170.

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 race and ethnicity; U.S. politics and policy views; media and journalism; internet and technology; science and society; religion and public life; global attitudes and U.S. social and demographic trends. Pew Research Center does not take policy positions. It is a subsidiary of The Pew Charitable Trusts. The Center’s work is carried out by a staff of about 170.

Position Summary

The Center is seeking a Research Associate to help study how Americans understand and experience issues related to race and ethnicity and/or immigration. We are looking for a seasoned survey researcher or pollster who is skilled at translating complex topics into accessible survey questions and rigorous analysis. The Research Associate will play a central role in developing questionnaires, analyzing survey and secondary data, identifying compelling findings, creating charts and tables, and helping communicate results to journalists, policymakers, researchers and the broader public. They will also bring strong project management skills, with a track record of managing complex workflows, working on multiple projects simultaneously, and keeping projects on track in a fast-paced, detail-oriented environment. This position reports to the Associate Director of Race and Ethnicity Research.

Primary Responsibilities

• Survey design and questionnaire development: Lead the development, refinement and execution of survey questionnaires, from initial concept through fielding, on topics related to race and ethnicity in the U.S. Translate complex concepts into clear, methodologically sound survey questions and identify relevant trend questions from past Center surveys and external sources.
• Data analysis and interpretation: Conduct rigorous analysis of survey datasets and, as needed, secondary data sources. Interpret data, identify key patterns and findings, and help determine the most compelling stories emerging from the research.
• Writing and communication: Write and prepare materials for reports, blog posts, presentations and other research products, including tables, charts and other graphics. Distill complex findings for general audiences while exercising sound editorial judgment in line with the Center’s style, voice and commitment to nonpartisanship and non-advocacy.
• Quality control: Fact-check and number-check research products, ensuring all data, analysis and written materials meet Pew Research Center’s standards for accuracy, clarity and impartiality.
• Project management: Map out and manage project plans, timelines and workflows, coordinating multiple workstreams across research, communications and other functions. Proactively communicate project status, key decisions, emerging roadblocks and timelines.
• External engagement: Respond to internal and external requests for information, contribute to digital content featuring research findings, and present or discuss findings with external audiences as appropriate.

Education/Training/Experience

• Bachelor’s degree required, advanced degree preferred; degree or training in the social sciences, survey research, statistics, public policy, political science, psychology, demography or a related field is desirable.
• Training or experience in attitudinal or behavioral research related to racial and ethnic groups and/or immigration is required, specialty in U.S. Black population preferred.
• 5-10 years of research experience, including 3-6 years of specialized survey research and analysis experience. Equivalent experience in an applied polling, public opinion, market research, nonprofit, media or policy research setting will be considered.
• Demonstrated expertise in survey development, including writing and refining close-ended questionnaire items and translating complex concepts into accessible measures.
• Strong quantitative skills and experience analyzing survey data using statistical software such as R, SPSS, Stata or similar programs.
• Familiarity with a range of statistical techniques, including multivariate analysis, weighting, subgroup analysis or other methods commonly used in public opinion research.
• Experience managing complex research projects and collaborating with colleagues across research, communications and other functions.
• Basic proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook) and general office computer skills required.

Knowledge and Skill Requirements

• Strong background in creating and analyzing general-population surveys, with a solid understanding of questionnaire design, measurement, sampling and survey methodology.
• Excellent quantitative skills, including the ability to organize, analyze and interpret large survey datasets with accuracy and care.
• Editorial judgment and proven ability to communicate research results clearly and concisely for general audiences, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to identify compelling findings and patterns in data without overstating results or compromising impartiality.
• Exceptional attention to detail, including exacting standards for data management, fact checking, number checking and accuracy in all work products.
• Demonstrated strong project management skills, including the ability to balance multiple projects, manage timelines and keep complex workflows on track.
• Ability to work collaboratively and collegially with team members and with staff from other Pew Research Center research teams and functions.
• Experience synthesizing complex topics and presenting findings to diverse audiences, including journalists, researchers, policymakers and the broader public.

FLSA Status

Exempt

Compensation

The typical starting salary for this position is $95,370 annually.

Location

Pew Research Center staff are required to be present in the Center’s Washington, D.C., office three core days weekly (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday). Staff may work virtually from remote locations on other days in a typical work week.

Total Rewards

In addition to competitive pay, Pew Research Center’s employees enjoy a robust total rewards package that includes:

• 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.

EEO

Pew Research Centermakesemployment decisionswithout 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 representa variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills.