Research Associate, Polling & Public Opinion
States United Democracy Center
full-time
Posted on:
Location Type: Remote
Location: District of Columbia • Massachusetts • United States
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Salary
💰 $100,000 per year
About the role
- Support the organization’s polling program under the direction of the Senior Researcher
- Assist in the design of survey instruments and survey experiments
- Clean, analyze, and interpret survey data using R/RStudio
- Prepare tables, charts, and written memos to summarize polling results for internal and external audiences
- Work with survey vendors on data delivery, documentation, and quality checks
- Track and summarize relevant public opinion polling and academic research
- Contribute to maintaining internal polling documentation and reproducible research workflows
- Provide research support for other election protection projects produced by the research team
- Collaborate with colleagues across teams to respond to research requests and other evolving organizational needs
Requirements
- Ph.D. in Political Science (American politics preferred) or a related field; ABD with expected completion, or comparable research experience considered
- 3-5 years minimum experience with polling, including academic work
- Strong training in quantitative research methods and survey design
- Familiarity with U.S. public opinion, elections, and democratic institutions
- Fluency in R/RStudio and experience working with reproducible research workflows
- Ability to clearly communicate research findings through writing and data visualizations to technical and non-technical audiences
- Strong attention to detail and organizational skills
- Professionalism and discretion when working with sensitive research and high-profile stakeholders
- Interest in applied research outside of academia and working in a fast-paced nonprofit environment
- Ability to take feedback well and manage multiple tasks simultaneously
- Willingness and ability to work beyond the normal workday, on weekends, and/or more than 40 hours a week as necessary
- Willingness and ability to commit to a minimum of 15% travel time
Benefits
- 100% employer-paid health, vision, and dental plans
- Matching retirement plans
Applicant Tracking System Keywords
Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.
Hard Skills & Tools
RRStudioquantitative research methodssurvey designdata analysisdata visualizationpollingreproducible research workflowsdata cleaningsurvey instruments
Soft Skills
attention to detailorganizational skillscommunicationprofessionalismdiscretionability to take feedbacktime managementcollaborationadaptabilityability to manage multiple tasks
Certifications
Ph.D. in Political ScienceABD with expected completion