Research Assistant - U.S. Immigration Policy Program

What if the next step in your career was to join a dynamic team of nonpartisan migration experts based in Washington, DC, who focus on U.S. policies that shape immigration to the United States? MPI’s U.S. Immigration Policy Program generates research and analysis on immigration policy in the United States. This tight-knit, diverse, and collegial team is looking for a new colleague who will contribute to MPI’s mission of promoting better immigration policies that advance U.S. national interests. We are looking for a candidate who is passionate about U.S. immigration and who will become proficient in the breadth of topics included in MPI’s U.S. immigration policy portfolio. Applications are due by August 24. Applicants must already be authorized to work for any employer in the United States; MPI is not in position to sponsor for a visa.

As a Research Assistant, you will contribute to MPI through policy tracking, basic research, and analytical writing. You will support the team in bringing evidence, policy ideas, and commentary to debates on a broad range of immigration topics. This position comes with the opportunity for rapid professional growth and new areas of responsibility, based on performance.

About the U.S. Immigration Policy Program

The U.S. Immigration Policy Program addresses issues ranging from legal immigration and visa pathways to refugee resettlement, asylum, border management, immigration enforcement, and governance. We also conduct in-depth demographic research on immigration trends and the characteristics of immigrant populations. And we organize convenings and events that promote dialogue among immigration stakeholders and policymakers. Our work is strongly policy focused. It draws on both research and relationships with policymakers, experts, and stakeholders across the immigration spectrum, with a strong focus on federal policy.

Duties and Responsibilities

Research

• Actively monitor and analyze current immigration policy developments, including congressional actions, regulatory changes, executive actions, and court rulings. Synthesize and summarize developments for internal and external audiences.
• Carry out literature reviews, gather quantitative and qualitative data, write up summaries of interviews with research informants, and draft memoranda or other written materials. Compile data and produce clean, verified figures and tables.
• Contribute to drafting and co-authoring MPI research publications and short-form work, with senior staff supervision and guidance.
• Use AI tools in accordance with MPI policies and procedures.

Other

• Contribute to the organization of public events, private roundtables, webinars, and briefing calls under the supervision of senior staff and working in tandem with MPI’s Communications team.
• Assist in scheduling project meetings and research project interviews; participate in research interviews that may include travel.
• Assist in hiring, supervising, and working with program interns.
• Support the U.S. team with miscellaneous project management and other tasks, as requested.
• Assist senior staff in fundraising tasks, including amassing information and writing sections of concept notes, grant proposals and reports, and developing prospective funding opportunities.

Required Skills

• Bachelor’s degree with at least one year of work experience. Candidates without a degree who can demonstrate significant work experience may also be considered.
• Proven research and analytical skills.
• Excellent, demonstrated English writing skills.
• Strong knowledge of at least a couple of subtopics of U.S. immigration policy, including: Visa pathways, immigration enforcement, border management, refugee resettlement, or asylum.
• Experience supporting original quantitative or qualitative research.
• Familiarity in conducting or willingness to learn to conduct legal research based on close reading of laws, regulations, official policy guidance, and court decisions.
• Timeliness and a deep commitment to accuracy and investigating and reporting what the evidence, not opinion, says.
• High motivation and willingness to take the initiative; ability to handle multiple assignments, prioritize, meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment, and seek guidance when needed.
• Ability to communicate effectively and succinctly and work both independently and as a part of a team.
• Strong interest and/or professional background in migration policy or a related field.

Preferred Skills

• Foreign language capability.
• Strong knowledge and application of data and statistical analysis, with a high proficiency in Excel, Stata, or related software packages.
• Familiarity with immigration law.

Salary and Benefits

This position is based out of MPI’s Washington, D.C. office, with at least three days per week required in the office. The pay range is $52,000 to $67,000, with pay commensurate with skills and experience. It also brings generous benefits, including health and retirement benefits.

To Apply

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, resume, and an unedited, sole-authored writing sample to hr@migrationpolicy.org, labeling each file with the last name. Please reference “Research Assistant, U.S. Program” in the subject line and include a line telling us how you heard about this position.

Applications are due by August 24. Individuals are encouraged to apply as soon as possible as applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Due to the large number of applicants expected, only those being considered for the position will be contacted. No phone calls or emails to MPI staff, please.

The Migration Policy Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, ethnicity, sexual or gender orientation, religion, or physical ability. We value a diverse work environment and welcome applications from all candidates who meet the requirements for the position.

Position bring generous benefits, including health and retirement benefits