Bachelor’s Level Research Assistant - Qualitative; Term

Bachelor’s Level Research Assistant - Qualitative (Term)

Join to apply for the Bachelor’s Level Research Assistant - Qualitative (Term) role at RAND
.

Term (Fixed Term). Limited duration position; not to exceed 3 years; start date summer 2026. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and will close January 9, 2026.

Tasks include qualitative and quantitative data collection, preparation and analysis of data, conducting 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 contribute to reports and articles.

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. Must have proficiency to undertake research assignments with little supervision. They should be able to take initiative and quickly gather, ingest and consolidate large amounts of information and data.

Successful candidates will be thoughtful, thorough, disciplined researchers able to work simultaneously on multiple projects and meet deadlines. They must be highly motivated, organized, flexible, and demonstrate a strong commitment to RAND's core values of quality and objectivity. Familiarity with Microsoft Office applications (Word, PowerPoint, Excel) is required.

• 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) and demonstrated experience with AI tools
• U.S. government security clearance
• Military experience

This position is for Bachelor’s level applicants only. Master’s level applicants should look for Analyst positions on the RAND career site. A Bachelor's degree in sociology, psychology, public policy, or similar field required.

0‑1 years of related research experience.

Candidates with interest in working on national security issues must be able to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance.

Santa Monica, CA;
Washington, DC;
Pittsburgh, PA;
Boston, MA.

Salary Range: $50,600–$69,500. This position is overtime eligible. Successful candidates will be offered employment in a specific title, as determined by the candidate’s education and experience. In addition, RAND provides strong benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, paid time‑off and more.

Equal Opportunity Employer.