Research Assistant, Social, Cultural, and Constitutional Studies

The American Enterprise Institute (AEI) is seeking a full-time research assistant to work with scholars in AEI’s Social, Cultural, and Constitutional Studies department who specialize in American history and culture. The new research assistant will begin in summer 2025.

Responsibilities for this position include assisting with research, writing, and editing for two book projects on American history focused on the politics of the 19th and 20th centuries. This assistant will also support projects in AEI’s “We Hold These Truths: America at 250” initiative. Other responsibilities include planning and executing public and private events, scheduling, managing media requests, and performing other administrative tasks.

Desired skills for this position include excellent research, writing, and organizational skills. Experience working with microfilm and transcribing primary sources is useful but not required. A bachelor’s degree in history, political science, or a related field is required.

Qualified applicants should submit their resume, a cover letter demonstrating their interest in AEI’s mission, academic transcripts, and a 500-word writing sample on a topic in American history with their online application at www.aei.org/jobs.

• Research and Editing:
  
  • Provide research and editing support for scholars’ long-term book projects and short-form writing (e.g., op-eds, articles, and video essays).
    
  • Use online resources, scholarly databases, and libraries to conduct primary- and secondary-source research. This includes gathering and critically evaluating sources and writing memos analyzing specific works of scholarly literature.
    
  • Provide substantive edits, copy edits, and bibliographic support for scholars’ writing.
    
  • Coordinate small-scale and major long-term research projects.
    
  • Perform other duties as assigned.
• Administrative Support:
  
  • Provide communication and administrative support related to scholars’ work among various AEI departments and teams, including Government Relations, Academic Programs, Development, and the media team.
    
  • Manage logistical and administrative tasks related to scholars’ activities and the “We Hold These Truths: America at 250” initiative, including scheduling, processing expense reimbursements, posting content on AEI’s website, tracking scholars’ output, and planning and staffing public events and conferences, private meetings, and roundtables.
    

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.

• A bachelor’s degree at the start date is required.
• Candidates should have 0–2 years of previous applicable full-time work experience; previous internship experience is strongly preferred.
• Candidates should have
  
  • Previous experience in research, writing, and editing, preferably in an academic setting;
  • Strong oral and written communication skills;
  • Excellent organizational skills and the capacity to manage multiple overlapping project timelines;
  • A demonstrated interest in American history and culture and familiarity with current events;
  • Proficiency in performing administrative and logistical coordination tasks;
  • Attention to detail, the capacity to work independently, and a high level of initiative; and
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office.

Benefits

AEI offers generous benefits, including 18 days of paid leave (15 days of paid annual leave and 3 personal/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 FSA; a tuition assistance program of up to $5,200; life and disability insurance at no cost to employees; and a 403b retirement plan with a 12% contribution from AEI, among other benefits. For more information, you can see a full summary of our benefits here.

Compensation is based on a number of factors, including but not limited to: scope and responsibilities of the position; a candidate's full-time, applicable work experience; key skills and qualifications; as well as 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.