Research Assistant (Housing and Communities Division)
About Urban Institute:
At the Urban Institute, we believe in the power of evidence to improve lives and strengthen communities. As a nonprofit focusing on social and economic policy, our researchers and policy entrepreneurs open minds, shape decisions, and identify transformative solutions to the most pressing issues of our time.
Our Mission
To open minds, shape decisions, and offer solutions through economic and social policy research.
Our Values
Collaboration, Equity, Inclusivity, Independence, and Integrity. For more information on the Urban Institute, please visit https://www.urban.org.
The Opportunity:
The Housing and Communities Division seeks a research assistant (Step 1 / Research track) to work across our six practice areas. The research assistant will assist senior researchers and research teams in successfully executing defined research tasks. The person hired for this position will be assigned to one of the Division’s research practice areas and will work across several other practice areas. All staff work on multiple projects—assignments include various research methods and topic areas and are made based on the needs of the Division, taking into consideration a research assistant’s skills and interests.
The Housing and Communities Division at the Urban Institute equips federal, state and local policymakers, practitioners, advocates, media, and philanthropy with the rigorous research they need to advance affordable, healthy, and resilient housing and places with reliable infrastructure, equitable economic opportunities, supportive financial systems, and sustainable land use policies. More information on our six practice areas (Climate and Communities; Community and Economic Development; Fair Housing, Land Use, and Transportation; Housing Finance Policy Center; Preventing and Ending Homelessness; and Thriving Places) can be found on our website.
What You’ll Do:
Responsibilities include:
Who You Are:
The successful candidate will possess:
No matter your role with Urban, you will contribute to meaningful work that makes a difference for people and communities across the country. We are committed to working in a manner defined by our mission and values.
Urban’s greatest asset is our people.
The target salary range for this position is Min $52,000 - Mid $58,500- Max $65,000 and median $53,963.90. Salary offered is commensurate with experience and considers internal comparisons. Salaries are just one component of Urban Institute’s total compensation package. Urban is committed to supporting our staff’s physical, emotional, and financial well-being through a robust benefits package for yourself, eligible dependents, and domestic partners. It includes generous paid time off, including nine federal holidays, medical (including prescription), dental and vision insurance, and transit benefits. Urban is unique in that we offer 403(b) retirement plan participation immediately after you’re hired and a generous employer contribution after six months of service and 500 hours, with immediate vesting. You’ll also have access to a health advocate, personal finance coaching, an Employee Assistance Program, and educational assistance for undergraduate and graduate degree programs.
The Urban Institute has formally recognized the Urban Institute Employees’ Union, which is part of the Nonprofit Professional Employees Union (NPEU). Urban management and the Union work together in good faith and are motivated by a shared commitment to this institution. This position is included in the Union-represented collective bargaining unit, and specific employment terms and conditions are subject to collective bargaining negotiations.
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by the people assigned. This posting is not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and requirements. Urban management reserves the right to amend and change duties, responsibilities, and requirements to meet business and organizational needs as necessary.
The Urban Institute is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender or gender identity, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, veteran status, pregnancy or family responsibilities, matriculation, disability, political affiliation, or any other protected status under applicable law.
We are committed to equal employment opportunity and providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with physical and/or mental disabilities. If you have a physical and/or mental disability and are interested in applying for employment and need special accommodations to use our website to apply for a position, please contact Human Resources at humanresources@urban.org. Reasonable accommodation requests are considered on a case-by-case basis.
At the Urban Institute, we believe in the power of evidence to improve lives and strengthen communities. As a nonprofit focusing on social and economic policy, our researchers and policy entrepreneurs open minds, shape decisions, and identify transformative solutions to the most pressing issues of our time.
Our Mission
To open minds, shape decisions, and offer solutions through economic and social policy research.
Our Values
Collaboration, Equity, Inclusivity, Independence, and Integrity. For more information on the Urban Institute, please visit https://www.urban.org.
The Opportunity:
The Housing and Communities Division seeks a research assistant (Step 1 / Research track) to work across our six practice areas. The research assistant will assist senior researchers and research teams in successfully executing defined research tasks. The person hired for this position will be assigned to one of the Division’s research practice areas and will work across several other practice areas. All staff work on multiple projects—assignments include various research methods and topic areas and are made based on the needs of the Division, taking into consideration a research assistant’s skills and interests.
The Housing and Communities Division at the Urban Institute equips federal, state and local policymakers, practitioners, advocates, media, and philanthropy with the rigorous research they need to advance affordable, healthy, and resilient housing and places with reliable infrastructure, equitable economic opportunities, supportive financial systems, and sustainable land use policies. More information on our six practice areas (Climate and Communities; Community and Economic Development; Fair Housing, Land Use, and Transportation; Housing Finance Policy Center; Preventing and Ending Homelessness; and Thriving Places) can be found on our website.
What You’ll Do:
Responsibilities include:
- Collection and analysis of qualitative and/or quantitative data. Including producing literature reviews, conducting field work (such as interviews and site visits), and writing programs to manage and analyze data in software such as R or Stata.
- Production of tables, charts, and maps.
- Contributing to and/or editing a variety of publications for difference audiences, including research reports, briefs, blogs, and other deliverables.
- Completion of logistical tasks for research proposals, internal and external research events, and research management.
- Completion of administrative tasks such as tracking project timelines, project reporting, taking and summarizing meeting minutes, and other tasks as assigned.
- Independent time management and collaboration with teams to prioritize and complete multiple tasks.
Who You Are:
The successful candidate will possess:
- Bachelor's degree or associate’s degree preferably in the field of Public Policy, Urban Studies, Urban Planning, Data Science, Sociology, Economics, Statistics, Environmental Studies, Geography, Social Welfare, Education, Psychology, Business, or related field of inquiry.
- Demonstrated qualitative and/or quantitative research skills.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Capacity to conduct literature reviews and similar research quickly and with strong critical thinking analysis.
- Proficiency with publication, spreadsheet, and presentation software.
- Experience managing and analyzing large datasets, using statistical packages, such as SAS, STATA, and/or R. Spatial analysis skills a plus.
- Strong time management skills and high level of professionalism.
- High level of organization, attention to detail, motivation, creativity, and self-confidence; we seek individuals who can work effectively, both on teams and independently, and simultaneously on multiple projects.
- Initiative to suggest improvements or innovations on assigned tasks.
- Willingness to adapt to changes in work assignments, deadlines, and team environment
- Bilingual abilities, although not required, are a plus.
- Have a willingness and ability to travel when conditions make travel safe.
- Strong interest and/or experience in one or more of the following topics: housing and housing-related assistance programs, housing finance, homelessness, demographic and population studies, urban planning and land use, community economic development, city governance and public-sector capacity, climate change, environmental justice, housing and neighborhoods as a platform for other household and societal outcomes, structural racism, and inequality.
- Resume
- Cover letter
- Phone Screen
- Panel interviews (if selected to proceed)
No matter your role with Urban, you will contribute to meaningful work that makes a difference for people and communities across the country. We are committed to working in a manner defined by our mission and values.
Urban’s greatest asset is our people.
The target salary range for this position is Min $52,000 - Mid $58,500- Max $65,000 and median $53,963.90. Salary offered is commensurate with experience and considers internal comparisons. Salaries are just one component of Urban Institute’s total compensation package. Urban is committed to supporting our staff’s physical, emotional, and financial well-being through a robust benefits package for yourself, eligible dependents, and domestic partners. It includes generous paid time off, including nine federal holidays, medical (including prescription), dental and vision insurance, and transit benefits. Urban is unique in that we offer 403(b) retirement plan participation immediately after you’re hired and a generous employer contribution after six months of service and 500 hours, with immediate vesting. You’ll also have access to a health advocate, personal finance coaching, an Employee Assistance Program, and educational assistance for undergraduate and graduate degree programs.
The Urban Institute has formally recognized the Urban Institute Employees’ Union, which is part of the Nonprofit Professional Employees Union (NPEU). Urban management and the Union work together in good faith and are motivated by a shared commitment to this institution. This position is included in the Union-represented collective bargaining unit, and specific employment terms and conditions are subject to collective bargaining negotiations.
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by the people assigned. This posting is not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and requirements. Urban management reserves the right to amend and change duties, responsibilities, and requirements to meet business and organizational needs as necessary.
The Urban Institute is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender or gender identity, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, veteran status, pregnancy or family responsibilities, matriculation, disability, political affiliation, or any other protected status under applicable law.
We are committed to equal employment opportunity and providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with physical and/or mental disabilities. If you have a physical and/or mental disability and are interested in applying for employment and need special accommodations to use our website to apply for a position, please contact Human Resources at humanresources@urban.org. Reasonable accommodation requests are considered on a case-by-case basis.