Summer Research Associate

Austin Community College; Massachusetts; On-site; USD 11,365,200 - 16,186,800; Full time

Job summary

An educational institution seeks a Summer Research Associate to support the Center for State Policy Analysis in managing 12 projects related to Massachusetts ballot questions. The role involves project tracking, stakeholder coordination, and research tasks utilizing AI tools. Ideal candidates must demonstrate strong organizational and communication skills and a commitment to nonpartisan analysis. The position is full-time for 8-10 weeks, with compensation up to $10,000, and offers a hybrid work arrangement.

Qualifications

• Attention to detail in managing project timelines and tracking progress.
• Must communicate effectively with stakeholders and peers.
• Experience in public policy research is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Manage project timelines for 12 ballot question briefs.
• Schedule interviews with advocates and experts.
• Coordinate peer review and revision cycles.
• Conduct literature reviews and comparisons of state policies.
• Draft sections as necessary.

Skills

Strong organizational skills

Excellent communication skills (written and interpersonal)

Confident use of AI tools

Familiarity with public policy research

Ability to manage multiple workstreams independently

Tools

AI Tools (e.g., Claude, ChatGPT)

Job description

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Center for State Policy Analysis | Tisch College, Tufts University

The Center for State Policy Analysis (cSPA) produces nonpartisan voter guides on Massachusetts ballot questions. This summer, we're preparing briefs on 12 ballot questions for the November 2026 election—all publishing in early September.

We're hiring a Summer Research Associate to help manage this effort: tracking 12 parallel projects, scheduling interviews with advocates and experts, coordinating peer review, and keeping everything on deadline.

Responsibilities

• Manage project timelines and track progress across all briefs
• Schedule and coordinate interviews with stakeholders on both sides of each question
• Coordinate peer review and revision cycles
• Conduct literature reviews and cross-state policy comparisons
• Draft select sections as needed

Qualifications

• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Excellent communication skills (written and interpersonal)
• Confident, fluent use of AI tools (e.g., Claude, ChatGPT) for research and writing tasks
• Familiarity with public policy research
• Commitment to nonpartisan analysis; able to faithfully represent the strongest arguments on all sides of a policy question
• Ability to manage multiple workstreams independently

This role is as much operational as analytical—ideal for someone who thrives on keeping complex projects on track and is comfortable using AI to work efficiently.

Details

• 8–10 weeks, full-time (35 hours/week), starting early summer
• Hourly position with compensation up to $10,000 total
• Hybrid/flexible; some on-campus time expected