Research Analyst (Job ID: 2023-3326)

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 Brookings Metro program delivers research and solutions to help metropolitan leaders build an advanced economy that works for all. To learn more, please visit brookings.edu/metro. Follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/brookingsmetro. 

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.  

Ready to contribute to Brookings success? 

The Research Analyst supports Brookings Metro’s Bass Center work on transformative placemaking as an integrated practice of economic and community development, planning, and local governance. Under the supervision of senior research staff (Fellow and Senior Research Associate), the Research Analyst: (a) conducts original, high-quality, mixed-methods research on place-based challenges such as equitable development, criminal justice, and community-centered design and planning, often with little supervision; (b) organizes and analyzes primary and secondary datasets with little supervision, including responses to queries from senior research staff; (c) independently prepares tables, maps, graphics, and presentations on the Program’s research findings; (d) stays current with research and policy developments, including through literature reviews and background memoranda; and (e) communicates with external partners when appropriate.

Research Assistance (60%)

• Conducts relevant research as assigned, including original statistical analysis, qualitative fieldwork requiring travel, and desk-research/document review. Partner with scholars to help identify areas of future research and analysis.
• Works with a variety of large-scale public- and private-sector databases to construct and manage data files; downloading and processing data as they become available using Microsoft Excel and major statistical software packages such as R and Python.
• Compiles and analyzes information from municipal public reports, audits, budgets, and ordinances.
• Assembles and analyzes detailed geographically-based data on metropolitan demographic, economic, social, and physical attributes, including the spatial distribution of crime trends in U.S. cities.  
• Assists in drafting research reports, including developing narrative, data charts, graphs, tables, and GIS maps.
• Assembles and formats data for presentation on interactive Brookings data websites.
• Reads relevant literature as directed; prepares written summaries and analyses of relevant research areas.
• Contributes to program-wide data and policy infrastructure in collaboration with junior and senior research colleagues.
• Interacts with internal and external stakeholders to inform research design/delivery.
• Mentor and provide guidance on work of research assistants and interns on selected projects.

Writing, Designing, and Editing (30%)

• Manage the Bass Center’s “Placemaking Postcards” case study series, including recruiting new contributors and editing submissions.
• Independently develop outlines and high quality first drafts of papers, sections of papers, blogs, or other written materials and work closely with senior research staff through the publication process.
• Participate in the review and editing process.
• Co-designs and prepares graphic presentations for the team’s presentations, including, messaging, content (structure and text), and graphic design.
• Drafts talking points and briefings in preparation for the team’s external meetings and events, as needed.
• Attends meetings and writes summary reports of outside policy briefings, conferences, forums, and symposiums.
• Generates analyses in response to media inquiries.

Administrative and Logistical Support (10%)

• Works with scholars and Brookings Metro events staff to support events.
• Provides occasional administrative, communication, and logistical support to Senior Fellow; helps coordinate with Communications and Engagements team; schedules team appointments; prepares expense reports.
• Maintains electronic files and databases of materials on relevant topics.
• Works with appropriate staff to draft and update website content with new research, event information, and other webpages as assigned.
• Maintains relationships with key staff at government agencies and think tanks as required.
• Updates program databases (e.g., Salesforce) routinely with respect to relevant projects.
• Provides general administrative assistance, 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 sociology, urban planning, economics, public policy, political science, geography, or other social science. At least two – four years of work experience providing similar work product, in fast-paced, public policy-oriented office (e.g., policy/political organizations, government, non-profit, or academic). Demonstrated ability and competence to undertake in-depth research assignments and perform complex research and data analysis with little supervision. Must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S.

Preferred: Master’s degree in sociology, urban planning, economics, public policy, political science, geography, or other social science.

Knowledge/Skill Requirements: 

Required: Strong interest in collaborative, interdisciplinary solutions to economic and social issues; high-level proficiency in Excel and PowerPoint; moderate proficiency in R; knowledge of GIS mapping; capacity to quickly master analytical methods and related software. Must also possess clear writing skills and superb organizational and interpersonal skills, as well as the kind of poise, tact, discretion and mature judgment required in a highly visible and impactful organization. Must be comfortable taking initiative, paying attention to detail, and working in an ever-evolving policy environment.

Preferred: Qualitative research experience; high-level proficiency in R and GIS mapping; demonstrated ability to undertake research assignments with limited supervision is a plus.

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.