Research Assistant, The Hamilton Project (Job ID: 2026-3893)

Join one of the most influential, most quoted, and most trusted think tanks! 

The Brookings Institution is a nonprofit public policy organization based in Washington, D.C. Our mission is to equip decision-makers with nonpartisan research and policy strategies to create a more prosperous and secure country and world. 

To advance our mission, we are committed to the following four goals: 

• Develop economic growth strategies for a changing world 

• Expand economic and social opportunity for all 

• Revitalize U.S. democratic institutions 

• Advance peace and security worldwide 

At the core of our mission is the quality, independence, and impact of our research. We are dedicated to finding bold, pragmatic solutions for societal challenges through open-minded inquiry, diverse perspectives, and holding ourselves to the highest standards of scholastic rigor. 

Beyond the pursuit of excellence and intellectual rigor, Brookings places immense value on creating a supportive and collaborative environment where every individual can do their best work, learn, and grow. Because of this, Brookings has been at the forefront of public policy for more than a century. 

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  With Director, Associate Director, and Hamilton Project staff, discuss and review policy areas and ideas for research, development, and commissions.

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  Support policy development by researching various policy areas, remaining abreast of most recent research and policy activity.

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  Independently analyze data in Excel, STATA, R or similar software and present findings accurately and accessibly both visually and in writing.

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  Create and/or maintain charts, figures, and data interactives to illustrate research findings for internally authored and commissioned Hamilton Project papers.

• Co-author Hamilton Project research products including Economic Facts, and long- and short-form empirical analyses on policy-relevant topics in economics.

• Develop and maintain THP data dashboards on a variety of topics.

• Work with Director, Associate Director, and commissioned author(s) on Hamilton Project policy proposal management. In addition to research support, this includes monitoring author progress, tracking paper drafts and timelines, and coordinating and consolidating feedback to the author.

• On designated products, coordinate and/or execute quality control processes and liaise with communications staff on deliverables.

Ready to make an impact? In this role, you will support Brookings values of collegiality, respect, inclusion, diversity and community, and bring the following qualifications: 

Bachelor’s degree in Economics or a related field required. Relevant experience in economics or policy research required; this experience can come from full- or part-time work, work in a college setting, internships, etc. Competence to undertake research assignments with right-sized supervision required. Must have strong organizational experience and ability and be able to keep track of overlapping calendars and deadlines. Must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. 

Strong quantitative and analytic skills as well as writing and editing skills, including experience with Stata or R, Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint required. Strong knowledge of and passion for public policy, particularly domestic economic policy. Must be able to take initiative to explore promising policy areas and absorb and synthesize large amounts of information and data quickly. Must be a team player and able to work in a small, collaborative environment—often at a fast pace and under time constraints. Must have the flexibility to take on new roles and responsibilities; discretion, creativity, maturity, and good judgment are valued.

This position is best suited for those who have received an undergraduate degree in economics, data science, statistics, public policy, or other social sciences with a minor in economics. Preferred start date is between May 1 and July 1, 2027.

More information about being a research assistant in Economic Studies may be found here.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and applicants will be contacted within 4–6 weeks of submission (potentially earlier) if they have been selected for an interview. Please note: Applicants who meet our minimum application qualifications as outlined in the Job Description may be contacted to submit additional materials required by our hiring committee. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

What can we offer you? Brookings provides a generous benefit package that is comprehensive and includes both traditional benefits and unique offerings. Our comprehensive benefits package includes medical, dental, and vision benefits, generous time off, and workplace flexibility. For more information, please visit Brookings Benefits. 

Successful completion of a background investigation is required for employment at Brookings. 

Brookings welcomes and celebrates diversity in all its forms, including diversity of experience, thought, and personal background.  We welcome applications that reflect a variety of backgrounds based on ideology, race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status, first generation college goers, and other factors protected by law. Brookings is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer that is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive workplace. All selection decisions are based upon merit, skills, abilities and experience.