Research Assistant, Journalism

Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan fact tank that informs the public about the issues, attitudes and trends shaping America and the world. It conducts public opinion polling, demographic research, media content analysis and other empirical social science research in the areas of U.S. politics and policy views; media and journalism; internet and technology; religion and public life; Hispanic trends; global attitudes and U.S. social and demographic trends. Pew Research does not take policy positions. It is a subsidiary of The Pew Charitable Trusts. Pew Research Center’s work is carried out by a staff of 130.

Project Overview

The Research Assistant is a position within Pew Research Center’s Journalism Project. Pew Research Center’s Journalism Project studies the transformation of news information in three main areas: the search for new business models, changes in how consumers receive, share and add to news information and how those changes are affecting the reporting of news. In conducting this research, the project employs a number of different methodologies. Its goal is to help the public and those in media, as well as other researchers and scholars, develop a better understanding of the revolution in news and media landscape.

Position Summary

This position is primarily responsible for working with others on staff to gather, analyze and produce internal and external data on current news trends.  The work will cut across a wide range of research projects and methods and requires  strong research, analytical and writing skills. This position reports to the Director of Journalism Research.

Primary Responsibilities

• Monitor and become expert in at least one sector of the news media (i.e., local TV, magazines, cable TV) and one emerging trend in news information. This involves:
  • Following trends through the year, reading trade publications, becoming familiar with leading figures in the field, monitoring data, attending conferences and sifting through the data that the project purchases from various research and marketing sources.
  • Being one of the primary researchers for sections of the annual State of the News Media Report Relating to this media sector and or issue
  • Reading balance sheets, industry reports, Wall Street financial data, etc.
• Assist in survey-based projects including help with questionnaire design and data analysis.
• Become proficient in and utilize content analysis and computer-assisted coding by:
  • Achieving competence in real time coding
  • Learning the project’s software system
  • Learn to use algorithmic based tools such as Crimson Hexagon or Google Trends.
• Be a part of the Daily Briefing team – our popular online publication of the media news of the day. This involves some early morning web searches to find news of the day.
• Work on a wide-range of research studies and analyses, including gaining background knowledge, conducting various kinds of research and working in teams.
• Drafting charts, graphs, posting material through our CMS program and Photoshop.
• Occasional work on team projects across the Center.

Required Education/Experience

• A B.A. degree in media studies or other related research field or comparable work experience.
• A background in quantitative analysis is preferred but not essential.

Knowledge and Skill Requirements

• Strong research skills, including the ability to quickly grasp data and its implications.
• The ability to translate data, information and numbers into narrative for a lay audience.
• The ability to operate independently, be a self-starter, show initiative and develop ideas for studies.
• Must be able to work in teams, on long-term projects, and be able to write short-turnaround commentaries and analysis.
• Must be organized, dependable and take “ownership” of his or her work projects.
• Must have a solid understanding of Excel.
• The ability to stay on top of projects and pitch in as needed on other projects.
• Facility with data, understanding audience numbers, economic data, reading survey data, and more.
• Familiarity with the web, drafting charts, graphs, using our CMS program and Photoshop, and more.
• The candidate does not need to be proficient in technical Internet programming but should have some experience with it and be someone who could learn the additional skills.

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Application Procedure

Applicant should send a résumé, cover letter (indicating where you learned of the opening) with salary expectations to careers@pewresearch.org.  Responses can also be mailed to:

Human Resources Department
Pew Research Center
1615 L Street, NW Suite 700
Washington, DC  20036

We are an equal opportunity employer.