Quantitative Research Assistant

Ballast Research (a division of National Journal) is a research and consulting firm that helps government affairs professionals build, deepen, and advance their advocacy efforts at the federal and state levels.

Ballast Research conducts a variety of surveys to understand perceptions of policymakers and other key stakeholders, a core component of our work that informs subsequent insight generation and consultative guidance. We are seeking a Quantitative Research Assistant to help develop and execute our various survey and data projects, working closely with the Manager of Quantitative Research to do so. The ideal candidate is analytical, interested in data, and looking to contribute to a collaborative, fast-paced, and innovative work environment.

Core responsibilities:

• Monitoring and tracking surveys while in the field
• Reshaping, aggregating, cleaning, and weighting data in STATA
• Developing Excel tools and analytic platforms to facilitate data analysis
• Gathering publicly-available data to supplement internal primary research
• Standardizing and organizing historical data
• Programming surveys in Qualtrics
• Fulfilling data requests from the Client Service team
• Assisting with data analysis to inform the continued evolution of our survey instruments
• Assisting with survey design

Required qualifications:

• Proficiency with STATA and Excel, particularly for cleaning, reshaping, and summarizing data
• An academic background in the social sciences (preferably with a statistics component)
• A foundation in survey creation, and/or an interest in developing stronger survey skills
• Interest in working in a collaborative environment
• An analytical mindset and curiosity about the “why” behind trends

Atlantic Media Values 

Across Atlantic Media, generally, the firm looks for two “pillar gifts” in you, and everyone else.  In all of us, these are more aspirational than actual, but they are central in our intentions.

Force of Ideas:  At the center of Atlantic Media work are the ideas within our writing.  We believe that ideas – to the good and not – have consequence.  Our highest work is bringing rigor, insight, intellectual honesty, to that ultimate purpose of separating the bad from the good, and giving voice to the latter.

Spirit of Generosity:  Atlantic Media seeks in its ranks a spirit of generosity – a natural disposition in each colleague toward service and selfless conduct.  Atlantic Media writing should be cut from the same cloth – critical on the merits but informed by charity and forbearance in measuring motive and personal character.

Atlantic Media is an EOE of Minorities/Women/Vets/Disability.