Research Assistant, Social, Cultural, and Constitutional Studies; Law, Politics, and Elections

Overview

The American Enterprise Institute (AEI) seeks a full‑time, in‑person research assistant to work with scholars in its Social, Cultural, and Constitutional Studies department who specialize in legal studies, politics, and elections. The anticipated start date for this position is summer 2026.

• Research and Editing
  • Provide research and editing support for scholars’ long‑term book projects and short‑form writing (op‑ed articles and reports).
  • Use online resources, scholarly databases, and libraries to conduct primary‑ and secondary‑source research, gather and critically evaluate sources, and write memos analyzing specific works of scholarly literature.
  • Provide substantive edits, copy edits, and bibliographic support for scholars’ writing.
  • Coordinate small and major, long‑term research projects.
  • Assist with preparation for bimonthly recordings of the Stubborn Things podcast.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.
• Administrative Support
  • Provide communication and administrative support related to scholars’ work for various AEI departments and teams, including the Academic Programs, Development, and Government Relations departments and the media team.
  • Manage logistical and administrative tasks related to scholars’ activities, including scheduling, processing expense reimbursements, posting content on AEI’s website, tracking scholars’ output, and planning and staffing public events and conferences, private meetings, and round tables.

• The employee is regularly expected to stand, sit, talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer, telephone, and keyboard. This job requires close‑up vision for computer work.
• The employee must be able to lift up to 30 pounds.
• The employee must be able to work in a confined area.
• Moderate noise (from computers, phones, printers, and light traffic) is expected.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential responsibilities associated with this position.

• A bachelor’s degree at the start date (required)
• 0–2 years of previous applicable full‑time work experience
• Previous internship experience (strongly preferred)
• Previous experience in research, writing, editing, and quantitative analysis
• Experience with podcast production (a plus)
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Excellent organizational skills and the capacity to manage multiple overlapping project timelines
• A demonstrated interest in American constitutionalism, law, politics, elections, and history
• Familiarity with current events
• Proficiency in performing administrative and logistical coordination tasks
• Attention to detail, the capacity to work independently, and a high level of initiative
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office

AEI offers generous benefits, including 18 days of paid leave (15 days of paid annual leave and 3 personal/floating holidays); 12 days of paid sick leave; paid family leave; medical and dental coverage, in addition to a health savings account; medical and dependent care FSA; a tuition assistance program of up to $5,200; life and disability insurance at no cost to employees;

and a 403(b) retirement plan with a contribution from AEI, among other benefits. For more information, you can see a full summary of our benefits at https://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)..

Compensation is based on a number of factors, including but not limited to scope and responsibilities of the position; a candidate’s full‑time, applicable work experience; key skills and qualifications; as well as internal and external market considerations. The salary range for this full‑time, exempt position is $50,000 - $54,000. Salary is just one component of AEI’s total compensation package for employees.