Research Assistant, Education Policy Studies

The American Enterprise Institute (AEI) seeks a full-time, in-person research assistant to support AEI’s education policy studies team, which promotes policy solutions to problems in K–12 and higher education.

Qualified candidates should submit a resume, cover letter demonstrating their interest in AEI’s mission, academic transcript, and 500-word writing sample on any topic. The anticipated start date for this position is as soon as possible. Soon-to-be graduates are welcome to apply.

Responsibilities

• Research and Writing
  
  • Research and write content for papers, studies, and reports about education policy.
  • Perform library, online, bibliographic, and investigative research under the guidance of more experienced researchers.
  • Coordinate small-scale and major long-term research projects.
  • Participate in all stages of scholars’ writing projects, including writing first drafts of op-eds and reports, making revisions based on scholar feedback, and offering substantive and copy edits of drafts before publication.
• Administrative Support
  
  • Coordinate public events and private meetings.
  • Assist with managing the program’s contacts database.
  • Coordinate with AEI’s media team to pitch articles and schedule TV, radio, and podcast appearances.
  • Post education content on the AEI website.
  • Manage an assigned scholar’s schedule and travel arrangements.

Physical requirements and working conditions at AEI:

• The employee is regularly expected to stand, sit, talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer, telephone, and keyboard. This job requires close vision abilities due to computer work.
• The employee must be able to lift up to 30 pounds at times.
• The employee must be able to work in a confined area.
• Moderate noise (e.g., from computers, phone, printers, and light traffic) is expected.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential responsibilities associated with this position.

Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree at the start date is required.
• Candidates should have 0–2 years of previous full-time work experience. Previous internship experience is strongly preferred.
• Data analysis skills and experience working with R or Stata are preferred.
• Experience and aptitude in website design are a plus.
• Candidates should have:
  
  • Excellent organizational skills,
  • Attention to detail,
  • Strong initiative,
  • Proficiency in performing administrative and logistical coordination tasks,
  • Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work well with a variety of people in high-stress environments,
  • The ability to juggle many tasks at once and adapt easily to shifting priorities,
  • Strong oral and written communication skills, and
  • A demonstrated interest in education policy.

Benefits

AEI offers generous benefits, including 18 days of paid leave (15 days of paid annual leave and 3 personal/floating holidays); 12 days of paid sick leave; paid family leave; medical and dental coverage, in addition to a health savings account; medical and dependent care FSA; a tuition assistance program of up to $5,200; life and disability insurance at no cost to employees; and a 403b retirement plan with a 12% contribution from AEI, among other benefits. For more information, you can see a full summary of our benefits here.

Compensation is based on a number of factors, including but not limited to: scope and responsibilities of the position; a candidate's full-time, applicable work experience; key skills and qualifications; as well as internal and external market considerations. The salary range for this full-time, exempt position is $50,000 - $54,000. Salary is just one component of AEI’s total compensation package for employees.