Research Assistant

About the Role

The American Enterprise Institute (AEI) seeks a full-time, in-person Research Assistant to work on issues related to the future of the Navy and Marine Corps, maritime issues, military modernization, Pentagon reform, the US defense budget and industrial base, and Congress’s role in national defense.

Key Responsibilities

• Analyze the qualitative policy and quantitative budgetary provisions of annual executive and legislative branch documents pertaining to planned and enacted national defense policy and spending.
• Research effective concepts using Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint to visualize data and coordinate with AEI’s Design team to create professional-quality graphics.
• Distill numerical data quickly and accurately into digestible talking points for use by AEI scholars and fellows in media interviews, publications, and events.
• Draft, edit, and research op-eds and long-form reports pertaining to strategic and budgetary questions facing the Pentagon and the congressional committees of jurisdiction.
• Manage long-term scholarly projects by drafting proposals, mapping timelines, and preparing regular progress reports for AEI management.
• Manage logistics and administrative tasks of designated scholars, including coordinating with other AEI departments, assisting with publishing and promoting new products, tracking expenses and organizing travel, and planning and staffing public-facing and private meetings (including with foreign nationals).
• Select and supervise assigned intern(s).
• Organize and coordinate public and private events with high-level interlocutors and conducting outreach at the direction of scholars to create lasting coalitions.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Microsoft Excel
• PowerPoint

Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree in economics, history, international relations, political science, public policy, or a related field is required.
• 0–2 years of previous applicable full-time work experience; previous internship experience is strongly preferred.
• A background in quantitative analysis and significant experience with Microsoft Excel and other data analysis software are preferred.
• Statistics coursework, experience with large datasets, and R are a plus.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment is required.
• Excellent editing, organizational, research, and writing skills are required.
• Outstanding interpersonal communication skills are required.
• Knowledge of foreign militaries, regional dynamics, or language skills are subordinate to effective writing, quantitative analysis, a knack for data collection and organization, and experience visualizing complicated systems or datasets.

Application Requirements

• Résumé
• Cover letter
• General writing sample
• Transcript (for undergraduate and graduate work, if applicable)
• Research sample:
• A link to an Excel sheet you produced, including a graphic/data visualization based on the underlying data.
• OR a link to a PowerPoint presentation you produced, including a graphic/data visualization based on the underlying data.

If you have trouble submitting a research sample, please email [email protected].

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions

• Expected to regularly stand, sit, talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer, telephone, and keyboard.
• Requires close-up vision for computer work.
• Must be able to lift up to 30 pounds.
• Must be able to work in a confined area.
• Moderate noise is expected.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential responsibilities.