Research Associate

States United Democracy Center, a nonpartisan organization focused on the critical role states play in election protection, is seeking a Research Associate to be a part of our Research and Analytics team. The Research and Analytics team produces original and actionable research that furthers the mission of the organization: to promote free, fair, and secure elections in the U.S. The Research Associate will report to the Director of Research and Analytics.

About the Organization:

The States United Democracy Center is a new and growing nonpartisan organization advancing free, fair, and secure elections. We focus on connecting pro-democracy state and local officials, law enforcement leaders, and other partners across the U.S. with the tools and expertise they need to safeguard our democracy. During the 2020 election, then as the Voter Protection Program, we quickly became a go-to resource for state leaders, the press, and partner organizations. By bringing together current and former governors, secretaries of state, attorneys general, and law enforcement leaders for the first time, we helped build a nonpartisan firewall against those trying to undermine democracy. Now as States United, we support these partners in protecting the integrity of elections, holding those who seek to undermine democracy accountable, and preventing acts of political violence.

Responsibilities:

• Conduct mission-driven research in the States United's areas of work: election protection, accountability, truth in elections, preventing political violence.
• Execute quantitative and qualitative research, including survey design and analysis, data analysis, focus-groups, case-studies, and investigative research.
• Compose literature reviews and track research and news on our lanes of work.
• Collect, organize, and update data relevant to our lanes of work.
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with relevant research staff in external partner organizations and academic institutions and learn about related research in the pipeline.
• Cultivate and maintain internal relationships across all departments and project areas to identify new areas of research that will support our strategic goals and mission.
• Present research findings to internal and external audiences.
• Contribute to the development of our research agenda.

Minimum Qualifications:

• A positive attitude, concern for people and community, presence, self-confidence, common sense, and good listening ability.
• Graduate degree or equivalent experience in a relevant field (social sciences) and experience executing quantitative and qualitative research in a non-profit organization, think-tank, or political campaign, tech, or research firm.
• Experience producing well-sourced and timely research.
• Strong command of research methodologies and research design.
• Strong writing, editing, and oral presentation skills with the ability to effectively present complex findings to diverse audiences and respond to questions.
• Excellent communications skills (listening and verbal) with a demonstrated ability to partner with team members across different levels, skillsets, and backgrounds.
• Excellent time management skills with the ability to prioritize and be responsive in a fast-paced environment and with the ability to effectively manage expectations.
• Experience working with diverse communities and committed to acting on the belief that bipartisanship is a critical component of our work.
• Knowledge of election-related issues and a commitment to protecting democracy.

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong substantive expertise in research on mis- and disinformation and/or political violence.
• Usage of R, Github, and SQL
• Experience using voter file data.

We encourage individuals to submit their application for consideration even if they believe they do not have all of the preferred qualifications.

Compensation and Benefits:

Salary will be between $75,000 and $95,000 commensurate to experience as well as 100% employer paid health, vision, and dental plans; matching retirement benefits; generous paid time off.

Our offices are located in Boston, MA, New York, NY, and Washington, DC.

This position will include flexibility to be remote.

States United Democracy Center is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by law. Women, people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, and veterans are strongly encouraged to apply.