Research Assistant

Posted On: November 1, 2016

Contributor

Media Organization: Center for an Urban Future

Company Description

The Center for an Urban Future (CUF) is an independent nonprofit public policy research think-tank that produces innovative analysis on economic development and workforce development issues in New York City, with a focus on promoting economic diversity while creating opportunities for disadvantaged populations and lower-skill workers.

Our work seeks to highlight issues within our fields of focus that tend to fly under the radar in mainstream policy discussions. In recent years, CUF’s research has shined a spotlight on the role of immigrant entrepreneurs as economic engines for many outer-borough neighborhoods, the rise of the design and tech fields in the city, the role of public libraries as human capital institutions, and how community colleges are a crucial and underleveraged element in the city’s workforce development system.

Job Description

The Center seeks research assistants with experience in journalism or public policy research to support our work. Responsibilities can include extensive phone interviews, Web research, data analysis, and writing. Other duties include coordinating meetings with government officials and attending policy meetings.

Skills and attributes we seek are:
• Strong writing and oral communications skills
• Ability to synthesize ideas clearly and concisely
• Ability to conduct effective interviews over the phone and in person
• High level of competency in using Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• At least some experience with public data sources like the US Census and the Bureau of Labor Statistics
• An interest in economic development, urban planning, workforce development, and higher education issues

We prefer current graduate students or those with advanced degrees in public policy, urban planning, journalism, economics, government, social science, or related fields, though we will also consider accomplished undergraduate students. Our internship program is very competitive and attracts talented undergraduate and graduate students from across the country and around the world.

You must be able to commit to at least 20 hours a week. This is an unpaid position not eligible for college credit, but we provide a small stipend at the end of the post to help offset travel expenses.

To Apply

Send resume with cover letter to intern@nycfuture.org.

We hire throughout the year for three cohorts: Spring (January to mid-May), Summer (May to end of August), and Fall (September to December). We accept applications on a rolling basis, so in the subject line of your email please indicate the cohort(s) for which you would be interested in applying.

We maintain a friendly and open working environment and encourage people of all backgrounds regardless of age, race, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, religion, and sexual orientation to apply.