Research and Project Assistant (Job ID: 2026-3841)

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.
 
The Governance Studies program at Brookings is dedicated to analyzing policy issues, political institutions and processes, and contemporary governance challenges. Our scholarship identifies areas in need of reform and proposes specific solutions with the goals of improving the performance of the national government, informing debate, and providing policymakers with expert analysis and ideas to ensure better institutional governance.
 
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 and Project Assistant works under the supervision of the Senior Fellow and Director of the Brown Center on Education Policy (“Brown Center”) to provide research and project management support for Brown Center projects. The Research and Project Assistant supports the Brown Center’s scholarship by conducting research on PK-12 and higher education policy topics, contributing to reports, papers, and other publications, tracking and communicating project milestones and timelines, and coordinating with internal and external stakeholders.
 
This position is approved through December 31, 2029, with the possibility for extension based on funding availability.
 
Research Assistance (60%)

• Compile, review, and synthesize research on educational policies and practices across PK-12 and higher education; produce succinct, written summaries of the findings.
  
• Collect data and other information for Brown Center research projects from various sources, including government agencies, public opinion surveys, books, journal articles, newspapers, and electronic databases; assemble data, documents, and reports.
  
• Assist with drafting material for policy reports, technical papers, blog posts, other publications, and narrative and update reports to funders and other stakeholders.
  
• Fact-check and copyedit documents in preparation for publication; work with Brown Center and Communications staff to support the quality review process for Brown Center publications.
  
• Draft abstracts, summaries, and analyses of books, articles, and events.
  
• Use STATA and/or R to merge, clean, and manipulate datasets for use in statistical analysis, as needed.
  
• Produce charts, tables, and data visualizations to present research results, as needed.
  
• Assist in drafting summaries of quantitative and qualitative data, as directed by Brown Center scholars and staff.
  

Project Management and Administrative Support (40%)

• Work with Brown Center scholars and GS administrative staff to monitor and provide updates on progress towards internal and external deadlines for project deliverables and milestones.
  
• Assist in the development and prioritization of project plans and implementation timelines.
  
• Attend weekly Chalkboard editorial meetings and support the production and dissemination of Brown Center Chalkboard blog posts.
  
• Provide support to Brown Center and Communications staff in the planning, organization, and execution of Brown Center public and private events.
  
• Work with scholars to create PowerPoint and other external presentations.
  
• Communicate and coordinate with external partners under the direction of Brown Center staff.
  
• Assist Brown Center scholars and staff in completing data requests, grant reports, and other miscellaneous administrative tasks, as needed.
  
• Attend symposia, conferences, and hearings relevant to research projects; summarize content of events.
  
• Assist with intern selection and hiring; support interns’ work, as needed.