RIM Research Assistant (Student)

American University; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 25,000 - 28,000; Part time

Job summary

American University’s Race in the Marketplace Research Network (RIM) seeks a highly organized Research Assistant to support communications, digital platforms, and day-to-day coordination. The role involves writing, website and social content, meeting prep, and administrative problem-solving within a small core team and a larger scholarly network.

The position is part-time, approximately 9 hours per week, with a pay range of $18.40–$20.00 per hour.

Qualifications

• Excellent written and oral communication skills required.
• Strong organizational, scheduling, and project-coordination abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple assignments, deadlines, and feedback streams.

Responsibilities

• Draft professional emails, announcements, and project updates.
• Develop content for RIM’s LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and other channels.
• Promote publications, events, and research from RIM members.
• Update and organize content on the RIM site; create basic graphics.

Skills

Excellent written and oral comms

Strong organizational skills

Project coordination

Attention to detail

Time zone coordination

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience

Tools

Google Workspace

Microsoft Office

Social media management

Squarespace

Canva

Airtable

Job description

**Summary:** Race in the Marketplace Research Network (RIM) is seeking a highly organized and collaborative Research Assistant to support the network’s communications, digital platforms, projects, and day-to-day coordination.RIM is an interdisciplinary research network focused on the relationship between race and marketplaces. The Research Assistant will work closely with RIM’s four-person core team and broader network of scholars and partners. The role combines communications, project coordination, website and social media management, meeting support, and administrative problem-solving.The ideal candidate is a strong writer and dependable organizer who is comfortable managing multiple projects simultaneously, following up with multiple collaborators, and engaging thoughtfully in research and conversations related to race, racism, markets, and consumer behavior.**Essential Functions:**1.) Communications and Research Promotion* Draft professional emails, announcements, project updates, meeting communications, and feedback requests.* Develop content for RIM’s LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and other communications channels.* Promote publications, events, and research produced by RIM members.* Help translate academic research into clear and accessible public-facing content.* Maintain and organize systems for collecting and tracking member publications, updates, and communications opportunities.2.) Website and Digital Content* Update and organize content on the RIM website.* Create basic graphics, cover images, or video thumbnails.* Identify and recommend improvements to the website’s organization and clarity.3.) Project and Meeting Coordination* Support multiple RIM projects, committees, and special initiatives–including reporting to multiple project managers.* Develop and maintain timelines, spreadsheets, forms, trackers, planning documents, and action-item lists.* Schedule meetings across multiple time zones using tools such as Doodle, Google Calendar, and Zoom.* Send invitations, links, reminders, confirmations, and schedule updates.* Prepare documents, questions, and progress updates before meetings.* Participate in meetings, document decisions, and help clarify next steps.* Revise materials and complete follow-up tasks after meetings.4.) Administrative and Digital Systems Support* Organize shared files, records, and archival materials.* Support the administration of platforms such as Google Workspace.* Troubleshoot routine issues involving accounts, access, permissions, forms, shared documents, and platform setup.* Research and learn new tools when needed to improve team coordination.* Communicate barriers, progress, and recommended next steps to the core team. **Position Type/Expected Hours of Work:*** Part-time.* 9 hours per week. **Salary Range:*** $18.40 - $20.00 per hour.**Required Education and Experience:*** Excellent written and oral communication skills.* Strong organizational, scheduling, and project-coordination skills.* Ability to manage multiple assignments, deadlines, and streams of feedback.* Strong attention to detail, including accuracy in names, dates, links, formatting, and publication information.* Ability to follow up consistently and communicate clearly when assignments or approval processes require clarification.* Ability to work independently while keeping supervisors and collaborators informed.* Ability to approach race-related topics with care, respect, and a willingness to learn.* Ability to coordinate with collaborators working in different locations and time zones.* Experience with Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, virtual-meeting platforms, and social media.* Willingness and ability to learn new digital tools.**Preferred Education and Experience:*** Experience in an academic, nonprofit, research, or professional-network setting.* Experience communicating about academic research.* Familiarity with Squarespace, Canva, Google Forms, Airtable, Doodle, or similar tools.* Familiarity with research concerning race, marketplaces, consumer behavior, racial equity, or related topics. **Additional Eligibility Qualifications:** 1.) Team Culture and Working Style* The Research Assistant will work with a four-person core team whose members bring different areas of expertise, responsibilities, schedules, and communication styles.* The global team works primarily through email, shared documents, and virtual meetings across time zones.* The role requires someone who can communicate proactively, ask questions when expectations are unclear, and provide regular updates without waiting to be prompted.* The team values respectful dialogue, intellectual openness, and a willingness to listen, reflect, and revise.* Applicants should be comfortable receiving feedback and working through differing perspectives in a constructive manner. 2.) What a Typical Week May Include* Reviewing and responding to email.* Following up on assignments, approvals, and outstanding decisions.* Preparing for and attending one or more virtual meetings.* Scheduling meetings across different time zones.* Revising documents based on feedback.* Updating the website or social media platforms.* Maintaining spreadsheets, forms, timelines, and project trackers.* Troubleshooting an administrative or technical issue.* Sharing progress updates and completed materials with the core team.* Priorities may shift from week to week depending on current projects, events, and network needs.