Bachelor’s Level Research Assistant - Qualitative

Job Type:

Term (Fixed Term)

Position Description

RAND is seeking highly motivated Research Assistants to work in a variety of research areas including health, mental health, education, human resource and workforce management in the military, national and homeland security issues, cyber security, disaster resilience, equity in public policy, justice policy, infrastructure and energy and environment issues. Research Assistants work as members of multi-disciplinary research teams addressing complex policy problems. Research Assistants work with teams of experienced researchers, including political scientists, psychologists, physicians, social scientists, engineers, physical scientists, and economists. This is a limited duration term position, not to exceed 3 years. Candidates with current availability as well as those graduating in Spring 2024 are welcome to apply.

Duties

Tasks would include qualitative and quantitative data collection, preparation and analysis, literature reviews, site visits, survey instrument design, note-taking, preparation of draft documents and presentations, and coordination of work among project team members. Research Assistants may travel with project teams and may have the opportunity to contribute to reports and articles.

Basic Qualifications

Successful candidates will have experience with research methods. Successful candidates will be thoughtful, thorough, disciplined researchers able to work simultaneously on multiple projects and meet deadlines. Applicants should have excellent research and analysis skills demonstrated in coursework or work experience, solid qualitative research skills, the ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing, strong writing skills, and the ability to work effectively as a member of multi-disciplinary teams. They must be highly motivated, organized, flexible, and demonstrate a strong commitment to RAND's core values of quality and objectivity.

Preferred Qualifications

• Research assistant experience, either in an academic setting, in another research-oriented organization, or within a research unit of a public- or private-sector firm, or with related federal government agencies

• Experience conducting qualitative interviews and experience using qualitative data analysis software (e.g., NVivo, ATLAS.ti, Dedoose)

• Proficiency in one of the following languages — Mandarin, Arabic, Farsi, Dari, Pashto, Kurdish, or Russian (language skills will be tested).

• Military experience

Education Requirements

BA/BS in sociology, psychology, education policy, health policy, economics, research methods, public policy or similar field required. Master’s level applicants should look for Analyst positions on the RAND Careers website.

Experience

0 - 2 years related experience

Security Clearance

Possession of or ability to receive an active Secret or Top Secret U.S. government security clearance preferred. 

Writing Sample Required

A writing sample is required for this position.

Location

Washington D.C.; Pittsburgh, PA; Boston, MA; and Santa Monica, CA

Salary Range

$47,200 - $64,900

RAND considers a variety of factors when formulating an offer, including but not limited to, the specific role and associated responsibilities; a candidate’s work experience, education/training, skills, expertise; and internal equity. This position is overtime eligible. In addition, RAND provides strong benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, paid time-off and more.

Application Review

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and will close by January 12, 2024.

Equal Opportunity Employer: race/color/religion/sex/sexual orientation/gender identity/national origin/disability/vet