Research Assistant/Associate, Center on Opportunity and Social Mobility

Overview

Research Assistant/Associate, Center on Opportunity and Social Mobility (COSM) at the American Enterprise Institute (AEI) seeks a full-time, in-person position to work with scholars Kevin Corinth and Scott Winship, starting in summer 2025. COSM pursues opportunities to shrink opportunity gaps and strengthen social mobility by publishing rigorous research and developing policy solutions.

Responsibilities

• Building and cleaning datasets from various sources, including the Current Population Survey, ensuring data accuracy.
• Applying and conducting statistical and econometric analysis using Microsoft Excel, R, and Stata.
• Conducting in-depth reviews of academic literature and public policy documents to analyze information and support research projects.
• Creating and formatting charts, graphics, and tables to visualize findings for policy audiences.
• Assisting in writing and editing research papers and scholarly reports.
• Contributing to COSM-wide projects, such as building policy databases and creating data visualizations based on the center’s research.
• Coordinating with COSM’s research team to support the center’s broader mission.
• Collaborating with AEI teams on events, conferences, and outreach for scholars’ work.

Qualifications

• Assistant: 0–2 years of quantitative research experience; Associate: 2–4 years of quantitative research experience.
• Bachelor’s degree in economics, mathematics, statistics, or a related field (strongly preferred).
• Quantitative skills, including proficiency in Excel and R or Stata.
• Demonstrated interest in public policy and familiarity with US safety-net programs; related research experience preferred.
• Demonstrated experience performing empirical research independently and in a team.
• Familiarity with analyzing data from surveys such as the Current Population Survey (strongly preferred).
• Strong initiative, attention to detail, and ability to work independently.

Benefits

AEI offers generous benefits, including paid leave, sick leave, family leave, medical and dental coverage with a health savings account, a medical and dependent care FSA, tuition assistance up to $5,200, life and disability insurance at no cost to employees, and a 403(b) retirement plan with employer contributions, among other benefits. For a full summary, see AEI’s benefits page.

Compensation

Salary range is $50,000–$60,000. Compensation reflects responsibilities, experience, and market considerations.