Research Assistant (Job ID: 2024-3440) - The Brookings Institution

Overview

Join one of the most influential, most quoted and most trusted think tanks!  

The Brookings Institution is a nonprofit public policy organization based in Washington, DC. Our mission is to conduct in-depth research that leads to new ideas for solving problems facing society at the local, national and global level.  

We bring together leading experts in government and academia from all over the world, rooted in open-minded inquiry and representing diverse points of view, who provide the highest quality research, policy recommendations, and analysis. Research topics cover a full range of public policy issues in economics, foreign policy, development, governance and metropolitan policy. 

With fair and transparent business practices, clear communication, mutual respect, and a collaborative atmosphere that offers both professional and personal development opportunities, Brookings offers an inclusive and welcoming workplace that values the efforts of all contributors. 

The Governance Studies program at Brookings is dedicated to analyzing policy issues, political institutions and processes, and contemporary governance challenges. Our scholarship identifies areas in need of reform and proposes specific solutions with the goals of: improving the performance of the national government; informing debate; and providing policymakers with expert analysis and ideas to ensure better institutional governance. 

Position Location: This position is hybrid. Hybrid positions combine regular in-person presence at our Washington, DC office with the option of at least two days of remote work each week.  

Vaccine Policy: Brookings requires all staff  to submit proof of complete vaccination against COVID-19 to be in Brookings buildings.   

Individuals that (i) have a qualifying medical condition that contraindicates a COVID-19 vaccination, or (ii) who object to being vaccinated based on a sincerely held religious belief, may request a reasonable accommodation.  Brookings policies on masks and other pandemic mitigation measures will continue to be informed by DC and CDC guidelines.   

Please note: This position is part of the union (Brookings United) and subject to the terms of the Memorandum of Agreement.

Responsibilities

Ready to contribute to Brookings success?

The Research Assistant undertakes research and policy analysis on a range of issues for one or more fellows or senior fellows. Duties for this position may include: a) research assistance; b) drafting materials and working papers, blogs and other publications; d) verification of statistical calculations, literature searches, and computer work; and e) assisting the fellow and other staff with the management of projects. Under the guidance of the Research Analyst, the Research Assistant provides research, communications, and administrative assistance in support of Ambassador Norman Eisen, Senior Fellow in the Governance Studies program (“Senior Fellow’), including compiling and summarizing primary and secondary source materials for research, fact-checking and copyediting publications, and providing calendar and travel support. He/She will also support the Project Coordinator with communications, administrative, and organizational support as needed.

Research Support (65%)

• Provides general research support on a variety of short- and long-term projects, including but not limited to Senior Fellow’s op-eds, reports, and books.

• Under guidance from Research Analyst, researches and collects primary materials and secondary source scholarship on topics that primarily include but are not limited to: political and legal accountability for attacks on democracy; the justice system; election denialism; rule of law; government ethics, liberalism, and democratic governance; and 20th century and contemporary American and European history and politics.

• Compiles, organizes, and summarizes research materials.

• Collaborates with Senior Fellow’s other research staff to provide a range of research support.

• Provides other research, drafting, fact-checking, formatting, and copyediting support on Senior Fellow’s research deliverables and other project materials.

Communications and Engagement (20%)

• Helps to ensure all of Senior Fellow’s publications and events are well planned for and have gone through the appropriate review process, including by working the GS Communications team.

• In collaboration with the Project Coordinator, maintains, monitors, and communicates editorial calendar deadlines for all of Senior Fellow’s publications, including blog posts, reports, and book projects.

• Copyedits, formats, and otherwise prepares written works for publication.

• Assists the Project Coordinator with the planning for and execution of Senior Fellow’s public and private events.

• Prepares talking points, remarks, and other briefing materials for Senior Fellow in advance of events, media appearances, and other engagements.

• Communicates with external stakeholders, including frequent co-authors, commentators, and media contacts, on activities and developments.

• Assists with marketing, communications, and publicity for Senior Fellow’s publications and appearances.

• Assists Senior Fellow with his social media presence, including Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

Administrative Support (15%)

• Helps manage Senior Fellow’s daily schedule by tracking, coordinating, and scheduling in-person and virtual meetings, internal and external calls, and other meetings pertaining to Senior Fellow’s calendar; follows up with calls and emails as needed; ensures that Senior Fellow is prepared for external events and meetings, and regularly reminds him of upcoming events in advance.

• Attends symposia, conferences, and hearings relevant to research projects; summarizes content of such events.

• Maintains and updates Senior Fellow’s website, bio, CV, and other profiles as needed.

• Maintains a list of tasks to be completed by Senior Fellow, organized by task priority, and briefs him on those tasks regularly.

• Tracks the status of deliverables for which Senior Fellow is responsible under his various funding agreements; works with communication, event, and development staff as necessary to ensure deliverables are produced on-time or to extend deadlines.

• Works with relevant stakeholders to provide project coordination support on Senior Fellow’s research projects.

• Tracks and submits reimbursements for Senior Fellow.

• Coordinates IT issues for Senior Fellow.

• Maintains Senior Fellow’s key contact and distribution lists.

• Attends meetings to take notes or minutes, as requested.

Qualifications

Ready to make an impact? In this role, you will support Brookings values of collegiality, respect, inclusion, diversity and community, and bring the following qualifications:

Education/Experience Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in a social science, humanities, or related field required. Minimum 1 year of relevant experience (inclusive of internships and academic research positions) in research, event planning, administration, writing, and/or editing.

Knowledge/Skills Requirements

Demonstrated strong interpersonal and organizational skills; ability to work quickly and effectively to communicate complex information; ability to work independently and prioritize both one’s own work and the work of others, among multiple competing tasks; where applicable, ability to work collaboratively with colleagues at Brookings and elsewhere; when applicable, willingness to work overtime or outside of normal operating hours; patience; comfort working under pressure; ability to communicate (both written and verbal) in a professional and appropriate manner with individuals at all levels, including high-profile individuals; research skills and interests across a diverse array of subjects; strong writing and editing ability; knowledge of Microsoft Office; and capacity to learn other software.

Additional Information

What can we offer you? Brookings provides a generous benefit package that is comprehensive and includes both traditional benefits and unique offerings.

Brookings requires that all applicants submit a cover letter and resume. Please attach your cover letter and resume as one document when you apply. Please note: if you have applied to more than one Brookings job opening you should add a position-specific cover letter as a separate attachment.

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

Brookings welcomes and celebrates diversity in all its forms.  We welcome applications that reflect a variety of backgrounds based on ideology, race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status, first generation college goers, and other factors protected by law. Brookings is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer that is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive workplace.