Research Assistant

Founded in 1856, University of Maryland, College Park is the state’s flagship institution. Our 1,250-acre College Park campus is just minutes away from Washington, D.C., and the nexus of the nation’s legislative, executive, and judicial centers of power. This unique proximity to business and technology leaders, federal departments and agencies, and a myriad of research entities, embassies, think tanks, cultural centers, and non-profit organizations is simply unparalleled. The university of is dedicated to addressing the grand challenges of our time and is the nation’s first Do Good campus. Synergistic opportunities for our faculty and students abound and are virtually limitless in the nation’s capital and surrounding areas. The University is committed to attracting and retaining outstanding and diverse faculty and staff that will enhance our stature of preeminence in our three missions of teaching, scholarship, and full engagement in our community, the state of Maryland, and in the world.

Offers of employment are contingent on completion of a background check. Information reported by the background check will not automatically disqualify you from employment.

Position Summary:

DGI is seeking a Research Assistant to join a growing team that is charged with positioning DGI as a leading source for research on philanthropy, nonprofits, social innovation, and social impact. Recent topics of DGI research have included volunteering, charitable giving, civic engagement, prosocial neighborhood and community activities, and other altruistic and socially responsible behaviors. The Research Assistant will work in collaboration with faculty and staff in the School of Public Policy and the others on the UMD campus (as well as external researchers) to produce research and knowledge that will shape how the social impact sector operates and evolves. The Research Assistant will help to accomplish these goals by working with members of other DGI teams, others in the School of Public Policy, and other partners within and outside the university.

This position does not have any formal supervisory responsibilities but may have the opportunity to schedule, train and manage the work of student interns. The Research Assistant will initially be hired for a two-year appointment and will report to the Do Good Institute’s Research Director.

Position Details:

Research Assistance and Support: The Research Assistant will help the DGI Research team develop reports, briefs, blog posts, and other written materials that focus on the major topics in DGI’s research agenda, often in coordination with DGI’s Communications team. Primary duties would include performing literature reviews; conducting analysis of quantitative data; creating charts, graphs, and other data visualizations; drafting and editing written research materials; and managing the layout and document production process for the research team.

Educational and Curriculum Development Support: In conjunction with DGI’s Do Good Campus team, the Research team will lead the design of processes and systems for collecting data on DGI programs and academic partnerships to enable continuous improvement. The Research Assistant will assist in the design of these systems, and the collection, analysis, and reporting of performance data.

Fundraising and Partnership Support: The Research Assistant will help the Research Director work with other DGI and UMD leaders and university development professionals to develop and maintain partnerships to expand DGI’s capacity to produce high-quality research. This work involves regular communication and coordination with external and internal scholars, researchers, staff, students, and organizations.

Other Duties as Assigned

Top Benefits and Perks:

Faculty Benefits Summary

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in public policy, nonprofit management/philanthropy, the social sciences, higher education, or related field, with at least two years of relevant work experience.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Experience with theories and best practices related to volunteering, civic and community engagement, philanthropy, nonprofit leadership, student leadership, service-learning, social impact, social action, and/or social innovation.
• Demonstrated ability to organize, plan, and manage multiple assignments to meet deadlines and produce high-quality deliverables in a fast-paced work environment.
• Excellent interpersonal and collaborative skills with the confidence to interact effectively with people at all levels of faculty and staff.
• Self-motivated, creative thinker and problem solver who is able to work independently while seeking appropriate direction and guidance from others when needed.
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills; knowledge of AP style is a plus.
• Proficiency in MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint; experience with Canva is a plus.
• Demonstrated commitment to expand multicultural knowledge, awareness, and skills as evidenced through: demonstrating self-awareness; understanding and valuing others; demonstrating knowledge of social inequalities; interacting effectively with a diversity of people; fostering equity and inclusion.

Preferences:

• Demonstrated knowledge of, and experience with, theories and best practices related to volunteering, civic and community engagement, philanthropy, nonprofit leadership, student leadership, service-learning, social impact, social action, and/or social innovation.

Additional Information:

Salary Range: $48,000 to $58,000.

Potential to hire two employees from this posting.

Best consideration date: 7/14/24

The Do Good Institute (DGI), housed in the School of Public Policy (SPP) at the University of Maryland, operates across the entire campus and provides education, opportunities, and resources to develop the next generation of nonprofit leaders, social innovators, and civic-minded students. The Do Good Institute serves as a catalyst for the University of Maryland’s Do Good Campus, which advances the University of Maryland’s Fearlessly Forward strategic plan by supporting the growth of experiential, campus-wide learning experiences (reimagining learning inside and outside the classroom) and students who are inspired to tackle today’s grand challenges. Ultimately, the Do Good Institute exists to ensure Terps will be known for being effective leaders, impactful individuals, and pioneering social innovators who fearlessly change the world.