Research Assistant

The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP) is a nonpartisan research and policy institute that advances federal and state policies to help build a nation where everyone — regardless of income, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, ZIP code, immigration status, or disability status — has the resources they need to thrive and share in the nation’s prosperity.

CBPP combines rigorous research and analysis, strategic communications, and effective advocacy to shape debates, affect policy, and inform effective implementation both nationally and in states. It works closely with a broad set of national, state, and community organizations to design and advance policies that reduce poverty and promote economic justice; improve health; broaden opportunity in areas like housing, health care, employment, and education; and lower structural barriers for people of color and others in communities that continue to face systemic barriers to opportunity. CBPP promotes policies that will build a more equitable nation and fair tax policies that can support these gains over the long term. CBPP also shows the harmful impacts of policies and proposals that would deepen poverty, widen disparities, and worsen health outcomes.

The Data Analysis and Research team works extensively with other CBPP teams on a range of policy issues and research topics affecting lower-income families and individuals. Topics may include the implications of policy choices affecting food assistance and housing assistance, as well as taxation and tax credits. The team collects, prepares, and summarizes data and academic research, develops graphics and written presentations of findings, and examines pending legislative and policy options.

The team is seeking to hire a Research Assistant to support analysis and research across issue areas at CBPP including food assistance and housing assistance programs, and possibly tax policies that affect people with lower incomes. The role involves helping to advance and defend effective economic security policies by analyzing survey and administrative data on economic security programs, presenting data visually and in writing, and providing necessary research support to the Food Assistance, Housing and Income Security, and Data Analysis and Research teams. This position is an exceptional foundational role for people seeking to build a career in public policy. The Research Assistant will also participate in a skill and knowledge development program for early-career Center staff. This position reports to the Vice President for Data Analysis and Research.

Responsibilities:

• Analyze large government survey microdata (such as the American Community Survey or Current Population Survey) and administrative government data in Excel and Stata in order to assess policy proposals, including their impact on communities of color and families with children.
• Provide analytical support to the team, including writing programming code (chiefly in Stata) to extract, transform, clean, manipulate, and analyze quantitative data, to ensure policy recommendations are backed by rigorous data analysis and effective policies receive a compelling defense.
• Prepare tables, graphs, and other data visualizations to present analytic findings and explain complex policies and analyses to different audiences.
• Factcheck and update CBPP’s reports, blogs, and other products.
• Develop checks for analytical work, while documenting sources and methods, to ensure accuracy and transparency.
• Provide research support for team members who provide technical assistance, training, and strategic guidance to policymakers and advocacy organizations at both federal and state levels.
• Assist in responding to information and speaking requests from policymakers, media, and partner organizations, often under tight deadlines.
• Collaborate with team members to apply an equity lens to all work, including public products and internal processes.
• Perform other job-related duties within the role’s scope, as assigned, to support the team’s goals.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in economics, public policy, statistics, or any field that requires strong quantitative skills; and up to two years of relevant experience.
• Strong quantitative analysis skills, including the ability to manipulate data using Excel and statistical software (such as Stata or R). A willingness to learn and use Stata is essential.
• Excellent project management skills, the ability to work independently and collaboratively, handle multiple projects, anticipate challenges, and meet deadlines.
• Meticulous attention to detail and an exemplary commitment to the accuracy and transparency of analytic work.
• Commitment to economic and racial justice, with a focus on how policies can address institutional racism and economic inequality.
• Lived expertise as a member of a marginalized or underrepresented group (or experience working with such communities) is highly valued.

This position is based in the Washington, DC office. CBPP is currently operating on a hybrid work schedule of two in-office days (Tuesday and Wednesday) per week as well as the first Thursday of each month in our Washington, D.C. office.

This position reports to the Vice President for Data Analysis and Research.

Terms of Employment: Full-time; exempt; two-year term.

Bargaining Unit Status: This is a bargaining unit position.

Compensation: Salary for the role starts at $55,862 annually and goes up to $60,000, with the exact salary to be determined based on total relevant experience; excellent benefits (including health insurance, vision and dental coverage, life and long-term disability insurance, retirement, MERP, and DCAP), and generous vacation, sick leave, and holiday schedules.

Please upload a cover letter and resume. In your cover letter, please include a discussion of what draws you to CBPP’s mission.

The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities is an Equal Opportunity Employer that values and welcomes diversity in the workplace and strongly encourages all qualified persons to apply regardless of race, color, age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, credit information, pregnancy or parental status, family responsibilities, personal appearance, creed, military or veteran status, religion, ancestry or national origin, union activities, disability, or other status protected by applicable law.