Pew Research Center is Offering 4 Exciting Job Opportunities – Explore Roles in Research, UX, and Engineering

About

Pew Research Center, headquartered in Washington, DC, stands as one of the leading nonpartisan think tanks globally, widely respected for its data-driven insights and rigorous social science research. Known for its objective and methodologically sound studies, the Center explores public opinion, demographic trends, media content, science and technology, religion, and global attitudes, among other critical topics. Pew’s work is trusted and cited by policymakers, academics, journalists, and the public alike.

The organization maintains a collegial, inclusive, and mission-driven culture. With over 180 dedicated professionals from diverse backgrounds—including social science researchers, survey methodologists, data scientists, journalists, designers, engineers, and communications experts—Pew offers a unique environment where curiosity, integrity, and analytical excellence are at the core of daily operations. The Center emphasizes values such as independence, objectivity, rigor, transparency, and innovation, and promotes a workplace that is welcoming, collaborative, and supportive.

As part of its ongoing mission to inform the public and contribute to civic dialogue, Pew Research Center has announced four new employment opportunities based in its Washington, DC office. Each of these roles supports the Center’s strategic goals and represents an opportunity for qualified individuals to contribute meaningfully to its research and operations. A detailed overview of the current openings, along with their respective job requirements and eligibility criteria, is provided below.

1. Research Assistant – Global Attitudes Project

Location: Washington, DC (Pew Research Center)
Job ID: R002898

The Research Assistant position within the Global Attitudes Project is a full-time, entry-level role ideal for recent graduates or early-career professionals interested in international public opinion and cross-cultural research. The Global Attitudes Project conducts worldwide surveys to assess attitudes toward democracy, globalization, U.S. foreign policy, and major global trends.

Key Responsibilities:

• Assist in the design and execution of public opinion surveys conducted in multiple countries.
• Support data cleaning, validation, and statistical analysis.
• Conduct literature reviews and background research to inform survey content.
• Prepare tables, charts, and written summaries for internal use and public-facing reports.
• Collaborate with senior researchers and contribute to the drafting and editing of publications.

Eligibility and Requirements:

• A bachelor’s degree in political science, international relations, sociology, or a related field is required.
• Strong analytical skills and familiarity with research methods are essential.
• Experience with statistical tools such as SPSS, Stata, or R is preferred.
• Excellent written communication and attention to detail.
• Interest in global issues, international affairs, or comparative research.

This position is well suited for candidates seeking to deepen their expertise in public opinion research within an international context.

2. Associate Director – Science & Society

Location: Washington, DC (Pew Research Center)
Job ID: R002896

The Associate Director role in the Science & Society program is a leadership position intended for seasoned researchers with a strong background in social science, survey research, and science communication. The position is focused on managing and executing large-scale research projects that explore public attitudes toward science, technology, and health.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead a team of researchers in designing and implementing surveys and analytical studies.
• Oversee the development of questionnaires, sampling strategies, and data collection plans.
• Supervise junior staff and provide mentorship to research assistants and analysts.
• Collaborate with communications and editorial teams to ensure clear and accurate public reporting.
• Present findings to internal and external stakeholders, including media and policy audiences.

Eligibility and Requirements:

• A master’s or doctoral degree in a relevant field such as sociology, public policy, psychology, or science communication.
• At least 7–10 years of experience in quantitative research, preferably involving public opinion studies.
• Advanced knowledge of survey methodology and experience managing research projects.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and analytical skills.
• A deep interest in the public’s relationship with science, technology, and related ethical and policy issues.

This role is ideal for professionals seeking to influence public discourse through data-driven insights at the intersection of science and society.

3. Associate User Experience (UX) Specialist – Term-Limited

Location: Washington, DC (Pew Research Center)
Job ID: R002893

This term-limited Associate UX Specialist role is designed for professionals with hands-on experience in improving digital interfaces and optimizing user interaction. The position plays a critical role in enhancing the usability and accessibility of Pew’s online platforms and research tools.

Key Responsibilities:

• Conduct usability testing, user interviews, and other UX research methods to evaluate product effectiveness.
• Create user personas, wireframes, and prototypes to support iterative design processes.
• Collaborate with developers, designers, and content strategists to improve digital product experiences.
• Analyze user behavior using tools such as Google Analytics, Hotjar, or similar platforms.
• Contribute to the development of UX best practices across the organization.

Eligibility and Requirements:

• A bachelor’s degree in human-computer interaction (HCI), design, psychology, or a related field.
• One to three years of relevant experience in UX research or design.
• Proficiency in UX tools such as Figma, Adobe XD, or Sketch.
• Familiarity with web accessibility standards and responsive design principles.
• Strong communication and problem-solving abilities.

This position is an excellent opportunity for early-career UX professionals eager to make a meaningful contribution in a research-driven, mission-focused organization.

4. Junior Tooling and Support Engineer – Term-Limited

Location: Washington, DC (Pew Research Center)
Job ID: R002892

The Junior Tooling and Support Engineer role supports internal teams by maintaining and improving digital tools and workflows. This term-limited, entry-level technical position is ideal for individuals with a passion for software development, automation, and problem-solving.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and maintain custom software tools to support data workflows and research operations.
• Troubleshoot technical issues across platforms and provide support to internal users.
• Write scripts and utilities to automate recurring tasks and processes.
• Collaborate with engineering and data teams to implement efficient and scalable solutions.

Eligibility and Requirements:

• A degree in computer science, information technology, or a related field.
• One to two years of experience in a similar technical role or strong internship experience.
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python, JavaScript, or Bash.
• Familiarity with cloud environments (e.g., AWS), version control systems (e.g., Git), and CI/CD pipelines.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to documentation and collaboration.

This role is ideal for aspiring software engineers who want to apply their skills in a non-profit research setting where technology plays a crucial role in supporting data integrity and accessibility.

Conclusion

Pew Research Center’s latest job postings present valuable opportunities for individuals at various stages of their careers—from entry-level research and engineering roles to leadership in social science. Each role contributes uniquely to the Center’s overarching mission to generate objective, high-quality research that informs and enriches public discourse. Applicants should review each position’s specific requirements carefully and consider how their background, skills, and interests align with the role. Pew continues to prioritize inclusivity, collaboration, and excellence, making it a compelling workplace for professionals who want to make a meaningful impact.

To learn more or apply, candidates are encouraged to visit Pew Research Center’s careers page and explore further information about the organization, its culture, and current openings.

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