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Research Assistant

Research Assistant

Do you aspire to conduct research aimed at improving the lives of vulnerable individuals, children, and families?
Do you believe that research has the potential to drive effective and efficient public policy?
Do you like working on collaborative teams to drive social change?

The Team
MEF Associates is a well-established social policy research firm specializing in rigorous research that influences and shapes social programs that serve millions of Americans each year.
For the last decade, we have worked at all levels of government and with various non-profits focused on bettering policy related to child and family well-being, workforce development, financial security, and early childhood education. We combine diverse work experiences and expertise to deliver meaningful, data-driven solutions.

The Culture
Our staff come to MEF because of our ability to make a difference through research. Each one of us brings a unique perspective, diversity of approach, and uncompromising commitment to research excellence. We believe that what we do impacts the effectiveness and efficiency of public policy and programs. Through this work, we realize our mission to improve the lives of vulnerable individuals, children, and families. We strive to use inclusive research methods that promote collaboration with the programs and communities with whom we work.
MEF understands the merits of a diverse team and the benefits that come from research being conducted by individuals with varied backgrounds and life experiences. We value what makes individual staff members different and encourage them to apply their unique talents and perspectives to the work that we do.
As a relatively small firm, we value close collaboration and a supportive work culture. We are committed to the growth and professional development of our staff.

The Opportunity
We have room on our team for a Research Assistant in either our Alexandria, Virginia or Seattle, WA office. Staff are currently working a mix of in-person and remotely, and our expectation is that new hires join one of these two offices as public health conditions permit.
We are accepting applications for individuals who are available for immediate hire as well as those who plan to graduate this Spring. Please indicate your availability in your cover letter.
As a Research Assistant you will support our ongoing work on an array of research and evaluation projects. The work you do will represent a mix of qualitative and quantitative research on projects dealing with issues such as: employment and training, welfare, food assistance, child welfare, child support enforcement, early childhood education, and disability. Your role as Research Assistant represents a unique opportunity to join a growing business and to work on a wide variety of large-scale policy research and evaluation efforts.

While each project can be vastly different, the work you do could look something like:
  • Conducting literature reviews
  • Assisting with field research including the development of protocols, organizing meetings and site visits, note taking, and preparing transcripts and/or summaries
  • Contributing to reports, proposals, and presentations
  • Manipulating data and assist in conducting data analysis using MS Excel and/or statistical packages
  • Assisting with the design and implementation of surveys and focus groups
  • Contributing to the company website, marketing, and proposal development

While our team has varied backgrounds filled with valuable experiences, we look for a consistent set of things that we believe contribute to success. They include:
  • BA/BS in a social science or a related field with an exemplary academic record
  • Demonstrated excellence in writing and verbal communication
  • Effective project management skills with ability to multi-task and prioritize a varied workload in a fast-paced environment
  • Commitment to details and accuracy
  • Proficient in interpersonal skills and collaborating with others in a respectful way
  • Effective experience in qualitative or quantitative research and documentation, with preference for public or social policy.

While not requirements, we feel the following skills would be beneficial:
  • Fluency in Spanish, written and verbal
  • Familiarity with supporting research in an academic field (such as a professor or senior researcher)
  • Working knowledge of statistical or qualitative software package (e.g., Stata, R, SAS)
  • Ability to travel domestically on occasion

If this sounds like the kind of work you long to do and the kind of team you see yourself in, we invite you to reach out to start the conversation.

Please apply by filling out this form, which includes two short writing prompts and space to upload the following required materials: resume, cover letter, academic transcript, and writing sample.

MEF is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages people of color, women, people with disabilities, and veterans to apply. Legal work authorization is required.