Research Assistant/Senior Research Assistant

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. 

Join the team at the Brookings Institution’s Economic Studies program (ES), and work with experts as they focus on addressing obstacles to long-term economic growth and opportunity. ES analyzes current and emerging economic issues facing the United States and the world and based on that research, provides innovative, practical policy recommendations. ES’s work covers a broad array of economic issues, including the labor market, regulation, health policy, and fiscal and monetary policy. ES scholars influence key economic policies by conducting rigorous and relevant research and then disseminating and communicating their findings to the policy community and to the broader public.   

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.    

Ready to contribute to Brookings success? 

The Center on Regulation and Markets (CRM) provides independent, non-partisan research on regulatory policymaking, the regulatory process, and the efficient and equitable functioning of economic markets. The CRM accomplishes this through a broad range of research, publications, and events that foster informed debate among academic experts, practitioners, and policymakers. The CRM currently has several focal areas, including (1) artificial intelligence and emerging technologies, (2) climate change, (3) financial market regulation, (4) consumer protection, and (5) the regulatory process.

Economic Studies (ES) is committed to investing in the next generation of economic policy experts; each year ES employs approximately twenty research assistants for one or two year appointments. We aim to recruit top talent with diverse backgrounds and perspectives to work on emerging and critical policy issues and offer innovative policy recommendations to improve the nation’s economic future.

The CRM is looking for a Research Assistant or Senior Research Assistant (for candidates with research experience) who will undertake research and policy analysis on a range of economic policy issues for the director of the center. Candidates with a strong interest in environmental/energy economics, climate change policy or artificial intelligence are especially encouraged to apply. Duties for this position 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 center director and other staff with the management of projects.

This position is best suited for those who have received an undergraduate degree in Economics, Mathematics, or other Social Sciences (e.g., Business Administration) with a minor in Economics. Preferred start date is June or July, 2023. The starting annual salary is $51,000 for the Research Assistant level and $54,000 for the Senior Research Assistant level. Typical responsibilities are listed below. Percentages and duties may vary depending on level of position. More information about being a research assistant in Economic Studies may be found here.

Quantitative Analysis, Programming, and Statistical Support (50%)

• Work jointly with senior scholars, prepare and revise programming code, simulation macros, database files and regression estimates.
• Analyze data, using statistical packages and spreadsheets.
• Prepare tables and graphs output from model simulations.
• Update and check existing databanks; assemble, consolidate, and check data from new sources

Research Support (40%)

• In collaboration with senior research staff, draft material summarizing research results on specific topics as assigned, for incorporation into working papers and project publications.
• Provide analytical reviews and summaries of existing literature pertinent to the projects.
• Locate and collect relevant documents and data from sources such as electronic databases, libraries, and government publications.
• Compile, read, abstract, and organize written material into bibliographic form and summaries.
• Maintain electronic bibliography files.
• Assist with special projects and perform other duties as assigned.

Project Support, Communications, and Outreach (10%)

• Update web pages in support of the scholar’s area of interest.
• Write and edit summaries to be posted on pages relating to scholar's work.
• Gather related bibliographic, link and current event information in support of pages to be created for a scholar's topic area.
• Work with ES communications team to prepare, lay out, and post scholar’s work for publication on the web site.
• Coordinate with ES communications team on scholar’s publication schedule.
• Assist designated scholar(s) with event preparation and logistics 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:

Bachelor’s degree in Economics, Mathematics/Statistics, Public Policy, or other Social Sciences with a minor in Economics required. For the Senior Research Assistant level, at least one year of job experience in economics, policy research, and/or computer modeling is required; experience can come from part-time work, work in a college setting, or internships. Competence to undertake research assignments with little supervision required. Must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S.

Knowledge/Skills Requirements:

Strong computer skills and experience required. Experience handling large data sets and models preferred. Independent research experience preferred. Experience with software such as STATA, R or other econometric packages required. Excellent writing and communication skills are required.

Application Procedure

Please read and follow all application procedures carefully. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and applicants will be contacted within 4–6 weeks of submission (potentially earlier) if they have been selected for an interview.

A complete application will include ALL of following items:

• Current resume
• Cover letter
• A copy of your latest (unofficial) undergraduate transcript (and a graduate transcript if applicable)
  • If you are submitting an international transcript, please be sure to include a Grade Key
• Two letters of recommendation from professors or past employers/supervisors (at least one letter of recommendation should be academic, the second can be academic or professional)

 Save your uploaded documents in the following format: First Name Last Name JOB ID Document Name

*** Please note that candidates are not permitted to use ChatGPT or any other language models/AI systems to prepare any of their application materials. Any candidate who does will be automatically disqualified from consideration.***

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

If preferred, confidential letters of recommendation may be sent directly to Mary King at meking@brookings.edu. Please contact her with any specific questions you may have.

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. 

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.