Research Assistant, Economic Studies

The Brookings Institution•Washington, DC

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Research Assistant undertakes research and policy analysis on a range of economic issues for Brookings’ Economic Studies program. Under the supervision of the Vice President and Director of Economic Studies, the role provides general research assistance, drafts working papers, blogs, and other publications, and fact-checks publications. The position offers opportunities to support a range of scholars and gain exposure to diverse topics in economics and economic policy. Research support includes preparing and revising programming code and regression estimates; analyzing data using statistical software and spreadsheets; preparing tables and graphs; maintaining and checking data; drafting summaries of research results with scholars; reviewing literature; locating and organizing documents and data; and assisting with special projects. Project, communications, and outreach support includes fact-checking, writing and editing online summaries, gathering bibliographic and current-event information, coordinating with communications staff on web publication, and assisting with scholar events. The position is hybrid, combining regular in-person work at the Washington, DC office with the option to work remotely two days per week. It is included in the Brookings United staff bargaining unit, affiliated with IFPTE Local 70, and covered by the collective bargaining agreement. The starting annual salary is $58,000, and the position is to start as soon as possible.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Economics, Mathematics/Statistics, or Public Policy; or a bachelor’s degree in another social science field with a minor in Economics.
Ability to undertake research assignments with an appropriate level of supervision.
Experience with Microsoft Office and software such as STATA, R, or other econometric packages.
Must be authorized to work in the United States.

Nice To Haves

Research experience in economics, policy research, and/or computer-based research, including experience gained through part-time work, college work, or internships.
Experience working with large datasets and economic models.
Independent research experience.

Responsibilities

Prepare and revise programming code and regression estimates.
Analyze data using statistical software such as Stata or R and spreadsheets.
Prepare tables and graphs.
Assemble, consolidate, update, and check data from new sources and existing databases.
Collaborate with scholars to draft material summarizing research results for working papers and project publications.
Review and summarize existing literature relevant to projects.
Locate and collect relevant documents and data from electronic databases, libraries, and government publications.
Compile, read, abstract, and organize written material into bibliographies and summaries.
Assist with special projects and perform other assigned duties.
Conduct rigorous fact-checking in accordance with Brookings’ established processes.
Write and edit summaries for web pages relating to scholars’ work.
Gather bibliographic, link, and current-event information for scholar topic pages.
Work with communications staff to prepare, lay out, and post scholars’ work on the website.
Assist designated scholars with event preparation and logistics as needed.