Research Assistant, Social, Cultural, and Constitutional Studies (Law, Politics, and Elections)

AEI • Washington, DC

2h • $50,000 - $54,000 • Onsite

About The Position

The American Enterprise Institute (AEI) seeks a full-time, in-person research assistant to work with scholars in its Social, Cultural, and Constitutional Studies department who specialize in legal studies, politics, and elections. The anticipated start date for this position is summer 2026.
Responsibilities include assisting with research, writing, and editing for op-eds, law review articles, reports, podcasts, and book projects related to American constitutionalism, law, politics, elections, and history. The person in this position is also responsible for supporting the production of the bimonthly podcast Stubborn Things, along with planning and executing conferences and events. Duties include short- and long-term projects and administrative support.
Desired skills for this position include excellent organizational, research, and writing abilities; a keen eye for detail; and a demonstrated interest in American law, politics, elections, and history. A background in independent research is useful. Knowledge of current events is essential. A bachelor’s degree in political science, sociology, history, or a related field is required.
Qualified candidates should submit a resume, cover letter demonstrating their interest in AEI’s mission, academic transcript, and 500-word writing sample on a topic related to American law, politics, elections, or history with their online application.

Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree at the start date (required)
• 0–2 years of previous applicable full-time work experience
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Excellent organizational skills and the capacity to manage multiple overlapping project timelines
• A demonstrated interest in American constitutionalism, law, politics, elections, and history
• Familiarity with current events
• Proficiency in performing administrative and logistical coordination tasks
• Attention to detail, the capacity to work independently, and a high level of initiative
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office

Nice To Haves

• Previous internship experience (strongly preferred)
• Previous experience in research, writing, editing, and quantitative analysis
• Experience with podcast production (a plus)

Responsibilities

• Provide research and editing support for scholars’ long-term book projects and short-form writing (e.g., op-eds, articles, and reports).
• Use online resources, scholarly databases, and libraries to conduct primary- and secondary-source research. This includes gathering and critically evaluating sources and writing memos analyzing specific works of scholarly literature.
• Provide substantive edits, copy edits, and bibliographic support for scholars’ writing.
• Coordinate small and major, long-term research projects.
• Assist with preparation for bimonthly recordings of the Stubborn Things podcast.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Provide communication and administrative support related to scholars’ work for various AEI departments and teams, including the Academic Programs, Development, and Government Relations departments and the media team.
• Manage logistical and administrative tasks related to scholars’ activities, including scheduling, processing expense reimbursements, posting content on AEI’s website, tracking scholars’ output, and planning and staffing public events and conferences, private meetings, and roundtables.

Benefits

• AEI offers generous benefits, including 18 days of paid leave (15 days of paid annual leave and 3 personal/floating holidays); 12 days of paid sick leave; paid family leave; medical and dental coverage, in addition to a health savings account; medical and dependent care FSA; a tuition assistance program of up to $5,200; life and disability insurance at no cost to employees; and a 403b retirement plan with a contribution from AEI, among other benefits.
• For more information, you can see a full summary of our benefits at https://www.aei.org/jobs/benefits/.
• Compensation is based on a number of factors, including but not limited to: scope and responsibilities of the position; a candidate's full-time, applicable work experience; key skills and qualifications; as well as internal and external market considerations.
• The salary range for this full-time, exempt position is $50,000 - $54,000.
• Salary is just one component of AEI’s total compensation package for employees.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Number of Employees: 51-100 employees