Research and Administrative Assistant, Center for Technology Innovation (Job ID: 2021-2554)

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 (GS) program at Brookings aims to be the leading, independent voice in the domestic policymaking sphere. Though analyzing public policy, contemporary governance challenges, and political institutions and processes, Governance Studies aims to inform debate and provide policymakers with tools and ideas to improve institutional governance at the national level.

Please note: This position is based in Brookings' Washington, DC office. In response to COVID-19, Brookings staff are temporarily teleworking. The person hired for this position must be willing to move to or currently reside in Washington DC, Maryland, or Northern Virginia by their date of hire. 

Ready to contribute to Brookings success?

The Research & Administrative Assistant provides direct research, writing, editing, and administrative and promotional support to a Senior Fellow and the Director of the Center for Technology Innovation (CTI), housed in the Governance Studies (GS) program.  This role is the chief point of contact for the Senior Fellow to both internal and external parties on matters related to their work, undertakes research assignments as directed by the supervisor, drafts summaries of findings, provides some copywriting support, assists with compilation and preparation of published materials, represents the Senior Fellow at external events and meetings when needed.

Research and Writing   (60%)

• Identifies and collects appropriate primary and secondary source information for scholarship on assigned research topics.
• Provides research, drafting, fact-checking, formatting, and copyediting support with respect to Senior Fellow’s research deliverables and publications; collaborates with co-editors, contributing authors, the Brookings Press, and Marketing, as necessary.
• Collects qualitative and quantitative data on project issues; reads sources for relevancy to research themes; compiles bibliographies and chronologies.
• Compiles, reads, abstracts, synthesizes, analyzes, and organizes written and electronic material into summarized form.
• Writes briefing memos and synthesizes research materials; prepares notes and reports on meetings and conferences; compiles abstracts, summaries, bibliographies and analyses of books and articles.
• Monitors current developments in relevant global and domestic policy research areas, including artificial intelligence, digital divide, telecommunications, equity, and technology regulation and regulatory agencies.
• Prepares and independently analyzes statistical data for research using statistical packages and database tools.
• Analyzes and produces written summaries of quantitative data.
• Provides editing support for writing projects, journal publications, blog posts, speeches and lectures, and research reports.
• Coordinates and attends meetings, conferences, and hearings relevant to research projects; transcribes and summarizes content of such events.
• Tracks and prepares Senior Fellow for media appearances.
• Ensures that Senior Fellow is prepared for external events and meetings; media appearances; prepares talking points and conducts background research.
• Works with other CTI research assistants, associates and interns on assigned projects.

Administrative Support   (40%)

• Assists in planning and implementation of research agenda and deliverables (e.g., reports, conferences, meetings, events, policy papers); Helps define and implement Senior Fellow’s priorities and objectives; Tracks pending external and internal matters for action and follow up.
• Works closely with Brookings research, communications, events, and development staff as necessary to ensure research deliverables are produced in a timely fashion.
• Manages Senior Fellow’s schedule; fields and keeps track of speaking and media requests, makes all travel arrangements, and coordinates appointments and speaking engagements.
• Provides assistance to GS communications team in booking speakers, drafting announcements, and coordinating logistics and publicity efforts Senior Fellow’s events.
• Attends symposia, conferences, and hearings relevant to research projects on behalf of Senior Fellow; summarizes content of such events.
• Provides support for funding efforts, including gathering information and drafting proposals when requested.
• Provides assistance to GS communications team in promoting Senior Fellow’s media appearances; as well as ensures Senior Fellow’s expert page is up to date.
• Supervises intern(s), as relevant and/or coordinates with other CTI Research staff on the projects assigned to interns.
• Provides other administrative support, as needed.

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 public policy or other relevant fields including economics, political science, sociology, or technology/engineering; minimum two years of relevant work experience in an administrative function, as well as experience with writing and/or editing, qualitative research, and data collection. 

Preferred: Quantitative and Qualitative research experience; Experience with spreadsheets and other collaborative software applications.

Must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S.

Knowledge/Skills Requirements:

Required:  Demonstrated strong interpersonal and organizational skills; excellent writing and editing skills; strong attention to detail; 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; patience; ability to communicate (both written and verbal) in a professional and appropriate manner with individuals at all levels; ability to multitask and thrive in a fast-paced environment.

Preferred: Special interest in technology policy, including the digital divide, broadband access, artificial intelligence, equity, and telecommunications.  Knowledge of US federal regulatory agencies.  Quantitative research skills. Knowledge of STATA or another other statistical package, database management. 

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.  Submission of a 2-3 page writing sample is also required. Please upload a writing sample when prompted. 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.