Research Associate, U.S. Demography, Race & Ethnicity

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.

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.

• 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 work streams 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.

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,…