Research Analyst (Job ID: 2026-3842) at The Brookings Institution – Washington, District of Columbia
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About This Position
Equal-Opportunity Employer: It is Brookings policy to provide equal employment opportunity for all of its employees and applicants without regard to their actual or perceived race, color, religion, sex, age, disability, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, marital status, personal appearance, citizenship status, family responsibilities, gender identity or expression, genetic information, matriculation, political affiliation, veteran status, or any other prohibited basis of discrimination as required by law.
Research Analyst (Job ID: 2026-3842)
US-DC-Washington
Job ID: 2026-3842
Type: Regular, Temporary Appointment
# of Openings: 1
Category: Research
1. Resident Employee (Hybrid)
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.
Please Note: This position is included in the staff bargaining unit, Brookings United, affiliated with the IFPTE Local 70 union, and is covered under the terms of the collective bargaining agreement.
Responsibilities
Ready to contribute to Brookings' success?
The Research Analyst provides research and analytic support for scholars in the Brown Center on Education Policy (“Brown Center”). The Research Analyst supports Brookings’ scholarship on PK-12 and higher education policy topics by conducting research, analyzing data using statistical software programs, and contributing to reports, papers, and other publications. This role will lead in collecting, cleaning, and analyzing a large amount of data to support projects aimed at improving educational policies and outcomes in the United States.
This position is approved through December 31, 2029, with the possibility for extension based on funding availability.
Programming and Data Analysis (65%)
Independently collect quantitative and qualitative data; organize and manage datasets to support research by scholars.
Use STATA, R, and/or Python to merge, clean, and manipulate datasets for use in statistical analysis. Carefully document files so that analysis is reproduceable.
Leverage AI-based technologies to automate tasks that support the production and dissemination of high-quality research.
Use statistical software programs and Datawrapper to design and produce data visualizations, tables, and charts to summarize results and present findings.
Collaborate with research staff to write and check code used for data cleaning and analysis.
Other Research Support (20%)
Compile, review, and synthesize research on educational policies and practices across PK-12 and higher education; produce succinct, written summaries of the findings.
In collaboration with scholars and staff, draft material for policy reports, working papers, and other publications.
Fact-check and work with Brown Center and Communications staff to support the quality review process for Brown Center publications.
Attend Brown Center Chalkboard editorial meetings and support the production of Chalkboard blog posts by, for example, identifying external contributors and developing charts and figures.
Project Management and Administrative Support (15%)
Monitor and communicate progress towards internal and external deadlines for project deliverables and project milestones.
Assist Brown Center scholars and staff in completing data requests, grant reports, and other miscellaneous administrative tasks, as needed.
Assist with intern selection and hiring; support interns’ work, as needed.
Collaborate with scholars to create PowerPoint and other external presentations.
Communicate and coordinate with external partners under the direction of Brown Center staff.
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
Required: Bachelor’s degree in economics, data science, public policy, education, or a related field with quantitative emphasis. Minimum of two years of relevant work experience that involved cleaning and analyzing large datasets using a statistical software package such as STATA, R, or Python.
Preferred: Master’s degree in economics, data science, public policy, education, or a related field. Prior experience with social science research and/or education policy. Prior experience with data visualization.
Knowledge/Skill Requirements
Required: Aptitude and comfort in working with large datasets. Ability to collect, clean, and analyze complex, messy datasets using statistical software packages. Intermediate knowledge of STATA, R, and/or Python. Knowledge of Microsoft Office. Capacity to learn other types of software programs. Strong attention to detail. Initiative, discretion, poise, organizational skills, intellectual humility, interpersonal skills, and desire to collaborate.
Preferred: Demonstrated interest in U.S. education policy research. Experience in leveraging AI-based technologies for research. Strong writing skills.
Additional Information
What can we offer you? Brookings provides a generous benefit package that is comprehensive and includes both traditional benefits and unique offerings. Our comprehensive benefits package includes medical, dental, and vision benefits, generous time off, and workplace flexibility. For more information, please visit Brookings Benefits.
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.
- We ask that applicants describe the following in their cover letter:
- Experience involving education policy and/or research
- Experience coding in statistical software programs such as Stata or R
- Career plans or aspirations
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.
Please Note: Must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S.