Research Assistant, Religion

Pew Research Center • Washington, D.C., DC

210d • $59,900

About The Position

Pew Research Center is seeking two Research Assistants to join its Religion research project. The Research Assistants will support the project's demography of religion and U.S. survey research teams. The demography of religion team analyzes data on the religious identity and characteristics of populations. It produces reports describing the religious composition of countries as well as other topics at the intersection of religion and social trends (e.g. religion and educational attainment, gender differences in religious commitment levels). The U.S. survey research team produces reports that explore issues at the intersection of religion and public affairs. Through public opinion surveys and other quantitative tools, it studies religious groups in the U.S. and examines the influence of religion on politics and society. The people in these positions will work closely with other researchers on staff and will report to an Associate Director of Religion research.

Requirements

• B.A. degree is required
• A concentration in sociology, political science, economics or another social science is desirable
• Strong quantitative skills, background in data management and analysis preferred
• Experience undertaking research using Stata, R, SPSS or other statistical software
• Mastery of descriptive statistics

Nice To Haves

• Interest in public and/or international affairs, particularly in issues concerning religion and the intersection of religion and public life
• Strong verbal and written communications skills
• Facility using syntax commands to carefully document analysis using log files
• Ability to communicate in more than one language is advantageous

Responsibilities

• Compiling and analyzing data from surveys and censuses
• Descriptive statistical analysis
• Creating tables and charts in Stata, Excel, Word and PowerPoint
• Contacting statistical agencies to request information and custom tables
• Data cleaning, maintaining and reviewing internal files and databases
• Number checking, fact checking, proofing
• Performing background research, including literature reviews, contacting subject matter experts and online data gathering
• Assisting with questionnaire development
• Coordinate the translation and checking of questionnaires

Benefits

• 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 up to 60% for most staff

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Industry: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree