Research Assistant, Social and Demographic Trends
Organization Overview
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; media and journalism; internet and technology; science and society; religion and public life; Hispanic trends; global attitudes and U.S. social and demographic trends. 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 160.
Position Summary
Pew Research Center has an immediate need for a Research Assistant to support its Social & Demographic Trends research agenda. The Research Assistant will be part of the Social & Demographic Trends research team, which studies how social and demographic change affects the way Americans view and experience work and family life, with a particular focus on differences by gender, race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic class. The team explores these topics by combining original public opinion survey research with social, economic and demographic analysis. The Social Trends team also works closely with other teams at the Center on research about Americans’ attitudes about race
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, such as the American Community Survey and the Current Population Survey, 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 political science, sociology, economics or a similar field of social science.
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 commentaries
- Performing background research on issues and policies
- 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 bachelors degree is required, with concentration in political science, sociology, economics 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 attitudinal, behavioral or demographic research related to social, economic and demographic change
- A “numbers person” with quantitative and statistical skills
- 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
- Detail oriented and ability to maintain accuracy and impartiality in all work products
- 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
Application Procedures: Please apply through the Pew Research Center website www.pewresearch.org, or click here to be taken directly to the job listing.
Total Rewards
In addition to competitive pay, Pew Research Center’s employees enjoy a robust total rewards package that includes:
- Affordable, comprehensive health care that includes medical, dental (including adult orthodontia) and vision benefits.
- Generous paid annual leave plan, including a winter break between Dec. 25 and Jan. 1
- Employer-paid disability, life insurance and paid family leave plans
- Up to a 12% employer 401(k) contribution, with vesting at the end of the first year.
- A 37.5-hour workweek.
- Health savings or flexible spending account options with employer funding component.
- Flexibility to telework up to 60% for most staff
Pew Research Center is an equal opportunity employer, committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. Pew considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to age, sex, ethnicity, religion, disability, marital status, sexual orientation or gender identity, military/veteran status, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law.