Research Assistant, Religion

Organization Overview

Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan fact tank that informs the public about the issues, attitudes and trends shaping America and the world. It conducts public opinion polling, demographic research, media content analysis and other empirical social science research in the areas of U.S. politics and policy views; media and journalism; internet and technology; religion and public life; Hispanic trends; global attitudes and U.S. social and demographic trends. Pew Research does not take policy positions. It is a subsidiary of The Pew Charitable Trusts. Pew Research Center’s work is carried out by a staff of 160.

Project Overview

Pew Research Center is seeking two Research Assistants to join its Religion research project.  The Research Assistants will support the project’s demography of religion and U.S. survey research teams. The demography of religion team analyzes data on the religious identity and characteristics of populations.  It produces reports describing the religious composition of countries as well as other topics at the intersection of religion and social trends (e.g. religion and educational attainment, gender differences in religious commitment levels). The U.S. survey research team produces reports that explore issues at the intersection of religion and public affairs. Through public opinion surveys and other quantitative tools, it studies religious groups in the U.S. and examines the influence of religion on politics and society.

The people in these positions will work closely with other researchers on staff and will report to an Associate Director of Religion research.   

Primary Responsibilities

• Compiling and analyzing data from surveys and censuses
• Descriptive statistical analysis
• Creating tables and charts in Stata, Excel, Word and PowerPoint
• Contacting statistical agencies to request information and custom tables
• Data cleaning, maintaining and reviewing internal files and databases
• Number checking, fact checking, proofing
• Performing background research, including literature reviews, contacting subject matter experts and online data gathering
• Assisting with questionnaire development
• Coordinate the translation and checking of questionnaires

Education/Training/Experience

• B.A. degree is required. A concentration in sociology, political science, economics or another social science is desirable
• Strong quantitative skills, background in data management and analysis preferred
• Experience undertaking research using Stata, R, SPSS or other statistical software
• Mastery of descriptive statistics

Knowledge and Skill Requirements

• Quantitative skills, including an ability to use Stata, SPSS or other statistical software
• Interest in public and/or international affairs, particularly in issues concerning religion and the intersection of religion and public life
• Strong verbal and written communications skills
• Facility using syntax commands to carefully document analysis using log files is desired
• Ability to balance numerous projects simultaneously
• Attention to detail, including exacting standards to maintain accuracy and impartiality in all work products
• Proven ability to communicate research results clearly and concisely
• Ability to work collaboratively and collegially with staff from the religion team, as well as with staff from other Pew Research Center projects and outside organizations
• Ability to balance multiple projects and meet tight deadlines while ensuring accuracy in data management, fact checking and research
• Ability to communicate in more than one language is advantageous

FLSA Status: Non-exempt

Starting Salary:  $59,900 /year

Location

Pew Research Center staff are required to be present in the Center’s Washington, D.C., office two core days weekly (Tuesday, Wednesday). Staff may work virtually from remote locations on other days in a typical work week.

Application Procedure

Click on the Apply button, and complete required fields.  Both cover letter and resume are required.

When requested, please upload a copy of your resume/cv, as well as a copy of your cover letter in the section labeled Resume/Cover Letter.  If the documents have successfully uploaded, you should see 2 attached files beneath the “Drop files here” box.  Please make sure you have uploaded a resume AND a cover letter before moving on to the next page.

Total Rewards 

In addition to competitive pay,