Research Assistant (Justice Policy Center)

The Opportunity

The Justice Policy Center (JPC) seeks a Research Assistant to support research, evaluation, and technical assistance projects focused on promoting safe communities and an equitable and effective criminal legal system.

What You’ll Do

• Conduct literature reviews and background research on the criminal legal system, public safety, and justice and safety-related topics.
• Collect, clean, manage, and analyze quantitative and/or qualitative data.
• Support data collection activities, including surveys, interviews, focus groups, site visits, and/or administrative data projects.
• Affiliate with statistical analyses using software such as Stata, R, Python, SAS, or other analytical tools.
• Draft sections of reports, research briefs, memos, presentations, blog posts, and other dissemination products.
• Develop tables, figures, data visualizations, and descriptive summaries of findings.
• Participate in project meetings and support project coordination, scheduling, note-taking, and tracking deliverables.
• Contribute to proposal development environmental scans, and other business development activities.
• Support the translation of research findings for policymakers, practitioners, community stakeholders, and public audiences.
• Collaborate effectively with colleagues across disciplines and project teams.

Who You Are

• Successful candidate will possess: Bachelor’s degree or associate’s degree with equivalent experience required, preferably in public policy, criminology, sociology, economics, statistics, political science, psychology, public health, data science, or a related field.
• Demonstrate a developed interest in one or more topics in justice and public safety policy.
• Exhibit strong research, analytical and problem-solving skills, including prior experience conducting quantitative and/or qualitative research through coursework, internships, research assistantships, or professional experience.
• Have excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrate ability to work collaboratively in a team-oriented environment while managing multiple priorities.
• Have strong organizational skills and attention to detail.

Individuals with Lived Experience

Individuals with lived experience related to the criminal legal system and applicants from communities disproportionately affected by criminal justice involvement are strongly encouraged to apply.

Applications Must Include

• Resume
• Cover letter

The Recruitment Process

• Phone Screen
• Panel interviews (if selected to proceed)

What You’ll Experience

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.

What You’ll Experience

• 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.

Target Salary Range

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 $52,520 - Mid $59,085- Max $65,650 and the current median $55,336.33. Salary offered is commensurate with experience and considers internal equity.

Benefits

• Generous paid time off, including nine federal holidays
• Medical (including prescription), dental and vision insurance
• Transit benefits
• 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
• Health advocate
• Personal finance coaching
• Employee Assistance Program
• Access to educational assistance for undergraduate and graduate degree programs

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Urban Institute is an equal-opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. 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. The Urban Institute is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer Minorities/Women/Disabilities/Veterans. 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.