Campaign Finance Research Assistant – Federal Work-Study Internship

UVA Health

UVA research assistant collecting congressional campaign finance data and constructing datasets. Conducting archival research, literature reviews, and data organization in a hybrid student internship.

Posted 8/5/2026part-timeCharlottesville • Virginia • 🇺🇸 United StatesEntry Level💰 $20 per hourWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

Use this summary to align your resume positioning with the role.

Demonstrates strong organizational and time management skills while collecting and managing campaign finance data. Familiarity with archival research and political science literature enhances the ability to construct and analyze datasets effectively.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Data CollectionExcel ProficiencyFile ManagementArchival Research SkillsCongressional Politics Knowledge

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.

Hard Skills

Data CollectionDataset ConstructionExcel ProficiencyFile ManagementArchival Research

Soft Skills

Time ManagementOrganizational Skills

Industry Keywords

Campaign FinanceCongressional PoliticsCampaign Finance LawsPolitical Science LiteratureFEC.govOpenSecrets.org

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Collect campaign finance information from FEC.gov, OpenSecrets.org, and other databases
Conduct archival work and data collection
Construct datasets
Organize data through file management and Excel
Conduct literature review research in political science literature
Attend five meetings with Professor Gaynor over the semester
Participate in a structured internship experience through the Internship Placement Program
Enroll in UNST 3910 or UNST 3920, or complete the asynchronous Canvas workshop series
Travel occasionally to attend meetings and programs

Requirements

What you’ll need

Currently enrolled UVA student, undergraduate or graduate
Interest in congressional politics and campaign finance
Interest in learning archival research skills
Strong time management and organizational skills
Federal work-study students preferred
Experience with Excel and file management preferred
Familiarity with congressional politics, campaign finance laws, or campaign finance data sources preferred
Resume and letter of interest required
No prior experience required
No licensure required
Best suited for students in their 2nd–4th years
If selected, must enroll in UNST 3910 or UNST 3920 (1 credit) or complete the asynchronous co-curricular workshop series

Benefits

Comp & perks

Structured internship experience through the Internship Placement Program (IPP)
Dedicated career support from the supervisor
Key skills and competencies aligned with future job interests
Training on Excel, campaign finance data sources, archival research skills, and related skills
Impactful stories to share in interviews
Internship experience that enhances the resume
Asynchronous co-curricular workshop series through Canvas if the course schedule does not work
Health care
Time off
Retirement
Benefits and services supporting personal and family needs