About Careertakes

👉 Important disclosure: Careertakes is a third-party recruiting platform supporting this hiring process. If selected, you will be employed directly by our client, a nonprofit public policy organization (think tank).

Applicants for this role may also receive access to additional matched opportunities through the Careertakes platform.

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What You’ll Do

This Research Assistant role supports the Economic Studies program at our confidential client and contributes to data-driven public policy research. Typical responsibilities include:

• Quantitative analysis, programming, and statistical support (≈50%)
  • Prepare and revise code, simulation macros, and regression estimates.
  • Analyze data using statistical software such as Stata or R and spreadsheets.
  • Produce tables, figures, and outputs from model simulations.
  • Assemble, consolidate, update, and verify datasets.
• Research support (≈40%)
  • Draft summaries of research results and contribute to working papers and publications.
  • Conduct literature reviews and analytical summaries.
  • Locate and collect documents and data from electronic databases, libraries, and government sources.
  • Maintain bibliographic files and support special projects as assigned.
• Project support, communications, and outreach (≈10%)
  • Assist with web updates, write and edit summaries for publication, and support event logistics.
  • Coordinate with communications staff to prepare and post scholar work.

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Who We’re Looking For

Required qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Economics, Mathematics/Statistics, Public Policy, or another social science with a minor in Economics (completed by summer 2027).
• Demonstrated ability to complete research assignments with appropriate supervision.
• Experience with statistical/econometric software (Stata, R, or similar).
• Authorization to work in the United States.

Preferred qualifications:

• Research experience in economics, policy, or computer-based research (including internships or college research).
• Experience working with large datasets and models.
• Independent research experience.

Knowledge & skills:

• Strong computer skills, including advanced Microsoft Excel.

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Location, Schedule & Salary

• Location: Washington, DC (hybrid) — regular in-person presence in the Washington office with up to two remote days per week.
• Appointment term: Typical Research Assistant appointments are two years.
• Employment type: Part-time (per source posting).
• Starting salary: $58,000 per year.
• Preferred start window: Between June 1 and July 31, 2027.
• Note: This position is included in the staff bargaining unit and is covered under the terms of the applicable collective bargaining agreement. Successful employment requires completion of a background investigation.

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Selection Timeline (high level)

• Applications will be accepted through October 16, 2026.
• Applications are reviewed after the deadline; only candidates selected for further consideration will be contacted. Selections are expected to be completed by mid-November.

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Confidential Client — Program & Projects (examples)

Research Assistants are placed across multiple centers and projects within Economic Studies. Example focus areas include:

• Center for Economic Security and Opportunity — work on safety nets, jobs, skills, and family/community supports.
• Hutchins Center — fiscal and monetary policy analysis and public explanation.
• Center on Health Policy — healthcare coverage, market design, and prescription drug policy.
• Center on Regulation and Markets — regulation, AI & emerging tech, climate & energy, future of work, and consumer protection.
• Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center — tax policy analysis and microsimulation modeling.

When applying, candidates may be asked to indicate center/project preferences; assignments depend on project needs.

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Equal Opportunity & Hiring Transparency

Careertakes and our client are Equal Opportunity Employers committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We prohibit discrimination or harassment of any kind. To support a fair and efficient hiring process, AI tools may be used to assist with application review or resume screening. These tools do not replace human decision-making. Final hiring decisions are made by people.

If you have questions about how your data is used, please contact us directly.