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Junior Research Analyst

SUMMARY: The Junior Research Analyst will join an established public opinion research team that gathers and analyzes data to gain strategic insight into public attitudes on higher education issues, policy, and the politics that surrounds them.

The Junior Research Analyst will assist the survey research team in all aspects of ongoing survey research, including instrument design, execution, analysis, and presentation. The Junior Research Analyst will be expected to assist in the integration of embedded systems, automated data analysis, and dashboards to the Polling Project. AAU is looking for candidates who possess strong technical skills and can pair them with an interest in public policy and an enthusiasm for research.

This position reports to AAU’s VP for Survey Research and Institutional Policy, Ken Goldstein, but will work closely with the whole polling and policy research team. In the long-term, this position is not remote and will require presence in the Washington, DC area.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Data Analysis and Visualization

  • Implements automated data analysis projects using Python and/or other programming languages.

  • Manages and manipulates large data repositories into accessible formats to create data-driven solutions and insights for AAU staff and stakeholders.

  • Compiles and analyzes survey results; collects and manipulates survey responses into the preferred AAU format.

  • Develops visualizations and dashboards that communicate research findings to internal and external audiences.

  • Pulls demographic data and contributes to the creation of post-stratification weighting targets.

Research Management

  • Analyzes public opinion data from internal and external sources; assists with the development of strategic memos and recommendations for AAU, its constituents, and public audiences.

  • Collaborates with the communications team to draft, review, and edit memos and other documents for public opinion products for public release (e.g., press releases, media advisories, and/or op-eds).

  • Assists in the drafting process of survey questionnaires and other research products.

  • Monitors and communicates key public opinion trends to AAU staff and other internal teams at AAU.

  • Assists in the day-to-day management of the research process with external vendors and consultants including managing their data collection for phone and online surveys, scheduling, contracts, and invoices.

Internal/External Communications

  • Prepares research- and data-driven presentations and strategic memos that are tailored for specific audiences and stakeholders with the ability to make complex topics understandable and compelling.

  • Produces professionally written emails, memos, documents, and other materials that are succinct, clear, use audience appropriate tones, demonstrate proper grammatical use of the English language, and present proper format/form per established AAU guidelines.

 

QUALIFICATIONS/REQUIREMENTS:

Note: Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

  • A methodological understanding and enthusiasm for public opinion research and political polling.

  • Experience working with quantitative data; familiar with the elements of the research process.

  • Extremely strong analytical skills and able to communicate results to senior and often non-technical audiences; familiar and comfortable with adapting data into key findings and strategic recommendations.

  • Strong writing capabilities and communication skills.

  • Able to independently apply mature judgment and initiative to determine approach and actions; must be resourceful and possess strong problem-solving abilities.

  • Able to manage competing demands, work efficiently in a fast-paced environment, and adjust to changes; work both alone and as a member of a team; prioritize and manage multiple projects; and follow through in a timely manner, completing tasks without prompting.

  • Trustworthy with sensitive information.

  • Creates and supports an environment that fosters teamwork, cooperation, respect, and diversity.

  • Must promote and foster productive and multidirectional communication.

  • Upholds organizational values; willing to invest in the development of colleagues and of the organization.

  • Works with integrity and ethically; must follow AAU's policies and procedures; is consistently at work and on time; ensures work responsibilities are covered when absent.

  • Intellectually curious, deeply organized, and reliable.

 

TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS:

  • Must have an advanced level in Microsoft Office suite, including analyzing data and using formulas in Excel, drafting documents in Word, and creating PowerPoint presentations.

  • Experience with a computer programming language such as Python, SQL, and C++ is required.

  • Experience working with surveys and analyzing survey data is desired.

  • Experience with statistical software packages, such as R, SPSS, and/or STATA.

  • Experience working with data visualization software like Tableau, R, or Power BI.

 

EDUCATION AND TRAINING/EXPERIENCE: B.A or B.S. degree. 0-2 research and/or data analysis experience at a university, communications agency, nonprofit, political campaign, or corporate entity is preferred. This may include academic coursework, internships, work-study, or other relevant experience. Experience working with survey research, data science, or analytics is required.

TRAVEL. Travel is primarily local during the day, although some evening, out-of-the-area, and overnight travel may be expected.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY. This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

WORK ENVIRONMENT. This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to communicate and exchange information.

This is largely a stationary position; however, the employee is required to occasionally move about inside the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc. and operate a computer and other office productivity machinery and equipment, such as a copy machine, a computer printer, filing cabinets, etc. Some filing is required; this requires the ability to move files up to 20lbs across the office for various needs.

POSITION TYPE. This is a full-time, salaried position. Days and hours of work are Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5 p.m. Evening and weekend work may be required as job duties demand.

OTHER DUTIES. Please note this job description is not designed to be a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

DISCLAIMER. This job description is not to be construed in a manner which implies an employee’s right to employment. This job description is not a contract of employment, expressed or implied, nor is it an offer to enter into such a contract or guarantee of employment for any duration.

COVID- 19 VACCINATION REQUIREMENT. As a condition of successful hire, individuals must (a) provide proof that they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. To be fully vaccinated, at least two weeks must have passed since receipt of the second dose in a two-dose series or two weeks after the first dose in a single shot, and the receipt of a booster dose at least five months after the second dose of the two-dose series or two months after the single shot; or (b) obtain an approved accommodation.

AAU is committed to a work environment that is inclusive to all and free of discrimination. It is our policy to be an equal opportunity employer without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, citizenship status, or any other factors prohibited by federal, state, and local law. AAU will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with a disability.

MUST BE CURRENTLY AUTHORIZED TO WORK FOR ANY EMPLOYER IN THE UNITED STATES AND MUST BE ABLE TO WORK IN DC.