Research Assistant, Center for Economic Security and Opportunity (Job ID: 2025-3601)

Overview

Join one of the most influential, most quoted and most trusted think tanks!

The Brookings Institution is a nonprofit public policy organization based in Washington, DC. Our mission is to conduct in-depth research that leads to new ideas for solving problems facing society at the local, national and global level.

We bring together leading experts in government and academia from all over the world, rooted in open-minded inquiry and representing diverse points of view, who provide the highest quality research, policy recommendations, and analysis. Research topics cover a full range of public policy issues in economics, foreign policy, development, governance and metropolitan policy. 

With fair and transparent business practices, clear communication, mutual respect, and a collaborative atmosphere that offers both professional and personal development opportunities, Brookings offers an inclusive and welcoming workplace that values the efforts of all contributors. 

About the Economic Studies Program: The Economic Studies program analyzes current and emerging economic issues facing the United States and the world and, based on that research, provides innovative, practical policy recommendations. ES’s work covers a broad array of economic issues, including economic growth, economic opportunity and mobility, the labor market, regulation, health policy, the environment, tax policy, retirement policy, and fiscal and monetary policy. Economic Studies scholars influence key economic policies by conducting rigorous and relevant research and then disseminating and communicating their findings to the policy community and to the broader public.

About The Center for Economic Security and Opportunity (CESO): Formerly known as the Center on Children and Families, CESO works at the interface of economic and social policy to promote three foundational pillars for broad-based prosperity: (1) Meeting fundamental needs through a robust safety net and good jobs, (2) Building skills through quality education, training, and opportunities for personal development, and (3) Strengthening capacities of families and communities through investment in the care economy, immigrant integration, and other social infrastructure. Our work is non-partisan and data-driven.

Position Location: This position is hybrid. Hybrid positions combine regular in-person presence at our Washington, DC office with the option of at least two days of remote work each week.

Please Note: This position is included in the staff bargaining unit, Brookings United, affiliated with the IFPTE Local 70 union, and is covered under the terms of the collective bargaining agreement

Responsibilities

Ready to contribute to Brookings success? 

The Research Assistant undertakes research and policy analysis on a range of economic, health and social policy issues for one or more fellows or senior fellows. Duties for this position include a) research assistance; b) drafting materials and working papers, blogs and other publications; d) verification of statistical calculations, literature searches, and computer work; and e) assisting the fellow and other staff with the management of projects.

Quantitative Analysis, Programming, and Statistical Assistance (50%)

• Works jointly with senior scholars, prepares and revises programming code, simulation macros, database files and regression estimates.

• Analyze data, using statistical packages and spreadsheets

• Prepares tables and graphs output from model simulations.

• Updates and checks existing databanks; assembles, consolidates, and checks data from new sources.

Research Assistance (50%)

• In collaboration with senior research staff, drafts material summarizing research results on specific topics as assigned, for incorporation into working papers and project publications

• Provides analytical reviews and summaries of existing literature pertinent to the projects.

• Locates and collects relevant documents and data from sources such as electronic databases, libraries, and government publications.

• Compiles, reads, abstracts, and organizes written material into bibliographic form and summaries.

• Maintains electronic bibliography files.

• Assist with special projects and perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Ready to make an impact? In this role, you will support Brookings values of collegiality, respect, inclusion, diversity and community, and bring the following qualifications: 

Education/Experience Requirements:

Bachelor’s degree in Economics, Mathematics/Statistics, Public Policy, or other Social Sciences with a minor in Economics required. One-year job experience in economics, policy research, and/or computer modeling preferred but not required. Competence to undertake research assignments with little supervision required. Must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. Please note that Brookings does not support the OPT STEM extension.

Knowledge/Skill Requirements:

Strong computer skills and experience required. Experience handling large data sets and models preferred. Independent research experience preferred. Experience with software such as STATA, R or other econometric packages required.

Application Procedure:

Applicants who meet our minimum application qualifications as outlined in the job description may be contacted to submit additional materials required by our hiring committee. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

A complete application will include ALL of the following items:

• Current resume

• Cover letter

• A copy of your latest (unofficial) undergraduate transcript (and a graduate transcript if applicable)

  •  If you are submitting an international transcript, please be sure to include a Grade Key

Have Questions?

Please review our FAQs here. If you have additional questions, contact Jennifer Ambrosino at jambrosino@brookings.edu.

Additional Information 

What can we offer you? Brookings provides a generous benefit package that is comprehensive and includes both traditional benefits and unique offerings. Our comprehensive benefits package includes medical, dental, and vision benefits, generous time off, and workplace flexibility. For more information, please visit Brookings Benefits. 

Brookings requires that all applicants submit a cover letter and resume. Please attach your cover letter and resume as one document when you apply. Please note: if you have applied to more than one Brookings job opening you should add a position-specific cover letter as a separate attachment. 

Successful completion of a background investigation is required for employment at Brookings. 

Brookings welcomes and celebrates diversity in all its forms. We welcome applications that reflect a variety of backgrounds based on ideology, race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status, first generation college goers, and other factors protected by law. Brookings is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer that is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive workplace.