Research Assistant, Center on Opportunity and Social Mobility (Safety-Net Programs)

Research Assistant Position

The Center on Opportunity and Social Mobility (COSM) at the American Enterprise Institute (AEI) seeks a full-time research assistant to work with Senior Fellows Matt Weidinger and Howard Husock. The research assistants may also support COSM Deputy Director Kevin Corinth and Director Scott Winship and assist COSM generally with research projects. The new research assistants will begin no later than summer 2026, ideally earlier.

Launched at the beginning of 2023, COSM seeks to shrink opportunity gaps facing disadvantaged Americans and strengthen social mobility by publishing rigorous research and developing innovative policy solutions.

The research assistant will conduct extensive research on US safety-net programs and their associated outcomes, including poverty, food insecurity, and health, among other topics.

Interested candidates should submit a resume, a cover letter noting their interest in or experience with safety-net policies, unofficial academic transcripts, and a writing sample. (Independent research projects are strongly preferred as writing samples.)

Responsibilities

• Support research by retrieving, analyzing, and manipulating data.
• Edit and contribute to scholarly papers, articles for a general audience, op-eds, and books.
• Create and format charts, graphic displays, and tables.
• Conduct literature reviews on US safety-net programs, poverty trends, family structures, social capital, and other topics.
• Work with the rest of COSM's research team to support the center's broader mission and projects.
• Assist COSM scholars in planning and executing public events and conferences.
• Work internally with other AEI teams on outreach for scholars' work.
• Regularly track relevant legislative debates on US safety-net programs and other topics.
• Regularly track coverage by key media outlets that overlaps with ongoing projects.
• Provide administrative support as needed.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions at AEI

• The employee is regularly expected to stand, sit, talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer, telephone, and keyboard. This job requires close-up vision for computer work.
• The employee must be able to lift up to 30 pounds.
• The employee must be able to work in a confined area.
• Moderate noise (e.g., from computers, phones, printers, and light traffic) is expected.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential responsibilities associated with this position.

Qualifications

• A bachelor's degree (required), preferably in political science, economics, statistics, public policy, or a related field
• 0–2 years of previous applicable full-time work experience
• Quantitative skills, including proficiency in Excel and Stata or R (required)
• Comfort using AI tools creatively for projects, research, and task organization (preferred)
• Related research or internship experience (preferred)
• A demonstrated interest in public policy and familiarity with US safety-net programs (required)
• Comfort working both independently and on a team
• Strong initiative

AEI offers generous benefits, including 18 days of paid leave (15 days of paid annual leave and three personal days or floating holidays); 12 days of paid sick leave; paid family leave; medical and dental coverage, in addition to a health savings account; medical and dependent care flexible spending accounts; a tuition assistance program of up to $5,200; life and disability insurance at no cost to employees; and a 403(b) retirement plan with a contribution from AEI, among other benefits. Compensation is based on a number of factors, including the position's scope and responsibilities; a candidate's full-time, applicable work experience; key skills and qualifications; and internal and external market considerations. The salary range for this full-time, exempt position is $50,000–$54,000. Salary is just one component of AEI's total compensation package for employees.