Research Assistant, Energy and Climate Policy

The American Enterprise Institute (AEI) seeks a full-time, in-person research assistant to research energy and climate policy, the government’s role in science, and other topics.

The research assistant will support AEI’s Center for Technology, Science, and Energy (CTSE), which cultivates intellectual and moral resources so our nation’s leaders can think and act prudently in the face of an array of issues and opportunities posed by science and technology. The anticipated start date for this position is as soon as possible.

The assistant will primarily support the research of Senior Fellows Roger Pielke Jr. and Benjamin Zycher. The assistant will also support Nonresident Senior Fellow James W. Coleman, Nonresident Senior Fellow L. Lynne Kiesling, and Senior Fellow Sally Satel.

Interested candidates should submit a resume, a cover letter demonstrating their interest in AEI’s mission generally and energy policy particularly, an academic transcript, and a 500-word writing sample on any topic.

• Research and write in support of policy papers, studies, and reports on energy and science policy and related topics.
• Analyze data, in coordination with scholars and independently, on topics related to the climate, energy, and the environment.
• Coordinate with AEI scholars, internal communications teams, and the Events and Government Relations departments to target research to interested parties and the public.
• Provide research and editorial support to AEI scholars for blog posts, congressional testimonies, opinion articles, and research papers, and manage related products (such as website and promotional materials).
• Assist in building and maintaining CTSE’s data dashboard.
• Track and measure scholars’ outputs and influence.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

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 (required)
• 0–2 years of previous applicable full-time work experience (required)
• Previous applicable internship experience (preferred)
• A demonstrated interest in civil society, energy and climate policy, and how political factors influence scientific research and discourse (required)
• Experience with data analysis (required)
• Experience with arcGIS, Python, and Stata (preferred)
• A general knowledge of Washington, DC; the institutions that shape science and energy policy; and the policymaking process
• Excellent writing and editing skills, attention to detail, and organizational skills
• Creativity
• Strong initiative

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 at https://www.aei.org/jobs/benefits/.

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.