RIM Research Assistant (Student)

American University • Washington, DC

2d • $18 - $20 • Hybrid

About The Position

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.

Requirements

• 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.

Nice To Haves

• 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.

Responsibilities

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

Benefits

• This position is available only to enrolled American University students.
• Most student positions at American University are eligible to use Federal Work Study (FWS) awards, with a few exceptions.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed