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 race and ethnicity; U.S. politics and policy views; media and journalism; internet and technology; science and society; religion and public life; global attitudes and U.S. social and demographic trends. Pew Research Center does not take policy positions. It is a subsidiary of The Pew Charitable Trusts. The Center’s work is carried out by a staff of about 180.

Position Summary

The Center is seeking a Research Associate with expertise in U.S. demography and immigration to study the nation’s changing population, with particular attention to immigration and race and ethnicity. The Research Associate will play a central role in our team’s demographic research particularly on immigration, analyzing both secondary data and Center surveys, identifying compelling findings, and communicating results to journalists, policymakers, researchers and the broader public. The position requires strong project management skills, with a track record of managing complex workflows, working on multiple projects simultaneously, and keeping projects on track in a fast-paced, detail-oriented environment. This position reports to the Associate Director of Race and Ethnicity Research.

Primary Responsibilities

• Develop research questions: Identify important and timely research questions on U.S. demographics particularly on immigration and race/ethnicity.
• Data analysis and interpretation: Conduct rigorous analysis of major U.S. demographic datasets, including the decennial census, American Community Survey, Current Population Survey, IPUMS, other secondary data sources and Center survey data. Interpret data, identify key patterns and findings and help determine the most compelling stories emerging from the research.
• Writing and communication: Write and prepare materials for reports, blog posts, presentations and other research products, including tables, charts and other graphics. Distill complex findings for general audiences while exercising sound editorial judgment in line with the Center’s style, voice and commitment to nonpartisanship and non-advocacy.
• Quality control: Fact-check and number-check research products, ensuring all data, analysis and written materials meet Pew Research Center’s standards for accuracy, clarity and impartiality.
• Project management: Map out and manage project plans, timelines and workflows, coordinating multiple workstreams across research, communications and other functions. Proactively communicate project status, key decisions, emerging roadblocks and timelines.
• External engagement: Respond to internal and external requests for information, contribute to digital content featuring research findings, and present or discuss findings with external audiences as appropriate.

Education/Training/Experience

• Bachelor’s degree required, advanced degree preferred; degree or training in degree in the social sciences with a strong preference for demography, population studies, sociology, behavioral economics or related field.
• Training or experience in demographic research related to U.S. immigration is required, with preferred experience also in race/ethnicity.
• Demonstrated experience working with major U.S. demographic data sources, such as the decennial census, American Community Survey, Current Population Survey, IPUMS.
• Experience applying demographic methods to the study of population change, including immigration and migration; experience with population estimation and projections, cohort analysis, especially migration measurement, trend analysis and data harmonization across years and sources; using statistical software such as STATA, R, SAS, SPSS or others.
• Familiarity with the U.S. federal statistical system, including standards and coming changes, preferred.
• 5-10 years of research experience, including 3-6 years of specialized secondary data research and analysis experience. Equivalent experience in an applied research setting will be considered.
• Experience managing complex research projects and collaborating with colleagues across research, communications and other functions.
• Basic proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook) and general office computer skills required.

Knowledge and Skill Requirements

• Excellent quantitative skills, including the ability to organize, analyze and interpret large survey datasets with accuracy and care.
• Editorial judgment and proven ability to communicate research results clearly and concisely for general audiences, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to identify compelling findings and patterns in data without overstating results or compromising impartiality.
• Exceptional attention to detail, including exacting standards for data management, fact checking, number checking and accuracy in all work products.
• Demonstrated strong project management skills, including the ability to balance multiple projects, manage timelines and keep complex workflows on track.
• Ability to work collaboratively and collegially with team members and with staff from other Pew Research Center research teams and functions.
• Experience synthesizing complex topics and presenting findings to diverse audiences, including journalists, researchers, policymakers and the broader public.

FLSA Status: Exempt 

Compensation: The typical starting salary for this position is $95,370 annually. 

Hybrid Work Schedule: Pew Research Center staff are required to be present in the Center’s Washington, D.C., office three core days weekly (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday). 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.