Research Assistant with Brookings Metropolitan Policy Program for May or Recent Grad

Cities and metropolitan areas are the hubs of the national and global economy and the primary places where people seek jobs and opportunity. They are at the forefront of the major demographic and social changes confronting the nation.

Our mission at the Metropolitan Policy Program is to deliver research and solutions that help metropolitan leaders build an advanced economy that works for all. We collaborate, pursue integrated approaches, and embrace an affirmative vision of what’s possible in everything we do.

Our work exemplifies the Brookings values of quality, independence, and impact.

About the Research Assistant

The Metropolitan Policy Program seeks to hire Research Assistants to provide research assistance and administrative support in a broad range of focus areas, including – economic mobility, geography of poverty, economic competitiveness, labor market, regional economic performance and workforce.

The Research Assistant conducts high-quality research on public policy issues; organizes and analyzes large datasets; identifies appropriate data sources and responds to statistical/analytical queries from senior research staff; prepares tables, maps, graphics, and presentations on Program’s research findings; provides literature reviews and background memoranda. As needed, the Research Assistant also oversees travel and event logistics, constituent list management, expense reimbursements, and other administrative duties.

Responsibilities:

Research Assistance (80%)

• Conducts relevant research for Fellows and Senior Fellows as assigned.
• Works with a variety of large-scale public- and private-sector databases to construct and manage data files; downloading and processing data as they become available, using major statistical software packages such as SAS and Python.
• Assembles and analyzes detailed geographically-based data on metropolitan demographic, economic, social, and physical attributes.
• Assists in drafting research reports, including developing data charts, graphs, tables, and GIS maps.
• Assembles and formats data for presentation on interactive Brookings data websites.
• Compiles and summarizes data and policy trends for public presentations.
• Reads relevant literature as directed; prepares written summaries and analyses of relevant research areas.
• Writes summary reports, briefing memos, bibliographies and chronologies; compiles abstracts, summaries, and analyses; synthesizes books and articles.
• Attends meetings and writes summary reports of outside policy briefings, conferences, forums, and symposiums.
• Updates and checks existing data and footnotes; helps with editing and proofreading of publications. 

Administrative Support (20%)

• Works with supervisor and MPP events staff to support events.
• Provides administrative, communication, and logistical support to Fellows and Senior Fellows; helps coordinate with Partnerships and Engagements team; schedules appointments and makes travel arrangements; prepares expense reports; prepares and edits correspondence and memos.
• Maintains paper and electronic files and databases of materials on relevant topics.
• Works with appropriate staff to draft and update website content of Fellows, Senior Fellows with new research, event information, and other webpages as assigned.
• Maintains relationships with key data staff at government agencies and think tanks as required.
• Manages contact lists.
• Provides general administrative assistance, as needed.

Qualifications:

Education/Experience Requirements:

Bachelor’s degree in economics, public policy, or other related field is required. Experience managing and manipulating multiple, large-scale datasets and delivering quality research is preferred.

Master’s degree and/or work experience in an environment that demands excellence is preferred.

Knowledge/Skills Requirements:

Strong interest in economics and/or urban issues; high-level proficiency in Excel is required; capacity to quickly master analytical methods and related software a must. Must also possess clear writing skills and superb organizational and interpersonal skills, as well as the kind of poise, tact, discretion and mature judgment required in a highly visible and impactful organization. Must be comfortable taking initiative, paying attention to detail, and working in an ever-evolving policy environment.

Knowledge of ArcView GIS mapping, Stata, Python, and/or PowerPoint preferred; demonstrated ability to undertake research assignments with limited supervision is a plus.

Additional Information:

Brookings requires that all applicants submit a cover letter and resume. Please attach your cover letter and resume as one document when you apply.

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

Apply here.