Research Analyst, Advocacy and Outreach

Position classification: Exempt, full time;
Union - Level 3

Compensation range: $58,000–$66,700 per annum

Work site: On-site (Washington, D.C., office)

Summary

American Progress has an opening for a Research Analyst to join its Advocacy and Outreach Department, reporting to the Vice President of Research.

The analyst will primarily conduct investigative research in support of American Progress’ multiple advocacy efforts with a specific focus on the organization’s nonpartisan Project Groundswell campaign. Project Groundswell works to demonstrate the local impacts of recent federal policy, especially on health care costs, energy affordability, grocery prices, and cost increases from tariffs. The Research Analyst will be able to identify and catalogue compelling examples of these impacts found in news or raw video clips, rate cases, court filings, social media, and other publicly available sources.

The ideal candidate will have experience in journalistic or political research environments and be comfortable working with digital research tools—including artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots and coding assistants such as Claude Code—to synthesize large volumes of information into actionable research products. The candidate should be excited by the challenge of identifying compelling storytelling opportunities in communities across America that advance the organization’s educational and policy goals.

Applicants must be comfortable working both independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment where they will need to multitask, set priorities, quickly identify opportunities, and communicate clearly through various research mediums (research documents/books, memos, etc.). This position also requires working with creative experts such as videographers, organizers, and communicators.

Strong applicants will be comfortable engaging people from diverse backgrounds—including those in rural, union, immigrant, law enforcement, small business, and farming communities—during site visits to identify and vet people and places affected by recent federal policies. Exceptional organizational skills and a detail-oriented approach to your work are musts.

Responsibilities:

• Conduct investigative research to identify examples, places, individuals, and communities affected by the high cost of food, health care, and utilities.
• Vet potential story subjects—individuals, businesses, and locations—to ensure they are credible.
• Monitor and track policy impacts using news clips, court filings, social media, government data, and other publicly available resources.
• Produce research memos, background documents, and briefing materials to support media production and communications teams.
• Potential travel with video and creative teams to conduct on-the-ground research and identify additional storytelling opportunities.
• Fact-check content and verify information before publication or production.
• Maintain organized research databases and files for ongoing tracking and reference.
• Support rapid-response research needs as news breaks or opportunities emerge.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements and qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience.
• At least two years of professional experience in media production and research and/or journalism research, ideally outside of legacy media.
• Work experience fact-checking media and/or researching potential media content required.
• Familiarity with large-scale research and media listening tools preferred, background in qualitative analysis beneficial.
• Some proficiency in leveraging programming languages and AI-powered tools—including Claude Code, Gemini, and other large language models—to automate research workflows, synthesize large volumes of data, and analyze complex documents for actionable insights.
• Ability to take direction on editorial guidance, as well as on visual and educational policy goals, is required.
• Experience fact-checking content during rapid-response scenarios is beneficial.
• Familiarity with social media listening and analytics tools is beneficial.
• Experience with the research and factual (nontechnical) production work behind digital-native video is beneficial.
• Detail oriented with an ability to juggle multiple projects for different stakeholders.
• Willingness to travel.
• Outgoing and able to engage people from a variety of backgrounds.
• Openness to developing new skills and experimenting with new strategies and tactics.
• A positive team player with a passion for progressive change.

American Progress offers a full and competitive benefits package. Candidates from diverse backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply. This position is part of a bargaining unit represented by IFPTE Local 70.