Research Assistant, News and Information
Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan fact tank that informs the public about the issues, attitudes and trends shaping America and the world. It conducts public opinion polling, demographic research, media content analysis and other empirical social science research in the areas of U.S. politics and policy views; news habits and media; internet and technology; religion; race and ethnicity; international affairs; social, demographic and economic trends; science; research methodology and data science; and immigration and migration. Pew Research does not take policy positions. It is a subsidiary of The Pew Charitable Trusts. Pew Research Center’s work is carried out by a staff of about 175.
Position Summary
Pew Research Center has an immediate need for a Research Assistant to support its News & Information research agenda. The Research Assistant will be part of the News & Information research team, which studies American news consumers’ experiences with the fast-evolving news and information environment, including their news consumption habits and their levels of trust in news organizations and other sources of information. The team explores these topics by combining original public opinion survey research with content analysis and computational research. The News & Information team also works closely with other teams at the Center, including teams studying politics and technology.
The primary responsibilities of the Research Assistant are fact-checking and proof-reading; creating charts, tables, and slides; organizing relevant polling data; and performing research and analysis of original survey data and data from other sources, as required. Of foremost importance is ensuring that data analysis and reporting meet the highest standards of accuracy and impartiality. Ideal candidates will have a bachelor’s degree with a concentration in the social sciences (such as political science, sociology, or similar) or journalism, and an interest in public opinion, survey research, data science, or data journalism.
Primary Responsibilities
- Number checking, fact checking, proofing
- Creating tables and charts in MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint
- Building and checking toplines
- Locating and organizing domestic polling for questionnaire development, reports and blog posts
- Performing background research on the news and information environment
- Data cleaning, maintaining and reviewing internal files and databases
- Assisting with basic statistical analysis and research
- Assisting with questionnaire development, quality control
Education/Training/Experience
- A bachelor’s degree is required, with concentration in political science, sociology, journalism or related field
- Strong quantitative skills, background in data management and analysis preferred
- Experience with statistical software, such as SPSS and Stata
- Background in social science research preferred
Knowledge and Skills Requirements
- Interest in research related to news and information consumption
- A “numbers person” with quantitative and statistical skills
- Strong attention to detail and ability to maintain accuracy and impartiality in all work products
- Strong verbal and written communications skills
- Proven facility with MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint
- Knowledge of how to display data in easy-to-understand ways in tables and charts in both Excel and Word
- Ability to work well in a team setting
- Demonstrated ability to work accurately on deadline
- Ability to balance and prioritize multiple tasks
- Ability to synthesize materials for senior staff
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
The typical starting salary for this position is $59,900
Location
Pew Research Center staff are required to be present in the Center’s Washington, D.C., office two core days weekly (Tuesday, Wednesday). Staff may work virtually from remote locations on other days in a typical work week.
Application Procedure
Click on the Apply button, and complete required fields. Both cover letter and resume are required.
When requested, please upload a copy of your resume/cv, as well as a copy of your cover letter in the section labeled Resume/Cover Letter. If the documents have successfully uploaded, you should see 2 attached files beneath the “Drop files here” box. Please make sure you have uploaded a resume AND a cover letter before moving on to the next page.