Education Finance Research Assistant Intern (Summer 2026) Bachelor's Students at American Institutes for Research
United States
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Join AIR as an <strong>Education Finance Research Assistant</strong> <strong>Intern </strong>and use your skills and curiosity to help us deliver on our mission: to generate evidence and apply data-driven solutions that expand opportunities and improve lives for all. The intern will focus on state education finance and will support various projects and initiatives at AIR. This role involves assisting with research, data collection, and analysis, as well as contributing to the development of reports and presentations. This internship is open to students who are currently pursuing their bachelor's degree and looking gain hands-on experience in a professional environment and have the opportunity to work with experts in the field.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">The Education Systems and Policy Program focuses on conducting research and evaluations and providing support and technical assistance to states, districts, and schools on a broad range of Kindergarten through Postsecondary education policies, strategies, and interventions.</span></p> <p><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">This position has the flexibility to work remotely within the United States (U.S.) or from one of AIR’s <a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" href="https://www.air.org/locations#alloffices"><span style="color: rgb(35, 111, 161);">U.S. office locations</span> </a>but requires availability to participate in meetings across all continental U.S. time zones. This does not include U.S. territories.</span></p> <h4><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">About AIR:</span></h4> <p><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Founded in 1946 and headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, the American Institutes for Research (AIR) is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization that conducts behavioral and social science research and delivers technical assistance to address some of the most pressing challenges in the United States and globally. We generate evidence and apply data-driven solutions that expand opportunities and improve lives for all.</span></p> <h4><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Responsibilities:</span></h4> <p><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">The responsibilities for the position include:</span></p> <ul> <li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Assist in conducting literature reviews to support research projects and proposals.</span></li> <li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Participate in the collection, analysis, and review of research and evaluation data related to state education finance.</span></li> <li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Develop spreadsheets and databases to support project activities.</span></li> <li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Analyze quantitative and qualitative research data and contribute to the reporting and interpretation of findings.</span></li> <li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Support the development of reports, presentations, and other project deliverables.</span></li> <li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Collaborate with team members to ensure timely completion of project tasks.</span></li> <li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Attend and participate in team meetings and training sessions.</span></li> <li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Provide administrative support as needed.</span></li> </ul> <h4><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Qualifications:</span></h4> <p><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><strong>Education, Knowledge, and Experience</strong></span></p> <ul> <li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Must be a current student pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in such fields as economics, psychology, sociology, statistics, computer science, public policy, public health or other social science related fields.</span></li> <li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Basic understanding of research methodologies and data analysis techniques.</span></li> <li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Experience with state policy and state education finance systems.</span></li> <li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Experience with data collection and analysis.</span></li> <li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Familiarity with statistical software programs such as R, SPSS, or Stata is preferred, but not required.</span></li> </ul> <p><strong><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="background-color: transparent;">Skills</span></span></strong></p> <ul> <li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).</span></li> <li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Excellent organizational and project management skills.</span></li> <li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Ability to work independently and as part of a team.</span></li> <li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.</span></li> <li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Creative thinking and problem-solving abilities.</span></li> <li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Effective communication skills with the ability to collaborate efficiently in a virtual work environment.</span></li> <li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Excellent organizational and time management skills. </span></li> <li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Attention to detail and commitment to accuracy when writing.</span></li> </ul> <p><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><strong>Disclosures:</strong> Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the U.S. on a full-time basis. Employment-based visa sponsorship (including H-1B sponsorship) is not available for this position. Depending on project work, qualified candidates may need to meet certain residency requirements.</span></p> <p><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">American Institutes for Research is an equal employment opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without discrimination on the basis of age, race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability. AIR adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo reference and background checks. AIR maintains a drug-free work environment. </span></p> <p><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><strong>ACCESSIBILITY NOTICE: </strong>If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process due to a physical or mental disability, please send an email to Taliba Boone at tboone@air.orgor call 202.403.5000.</span></p> <p><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><strong>Fraudulent Job Scams Warning & Disclaimer: </strong>AIR is aware of individuals falsely presenting themselves as AIR representatives. Fraudulent job scams seek to extract sensitive information or money from victims. To protect yourself, please be aware that AIR recruitment will only email you from an “@air.org” domain. Please take extra caution while examining the email address, for example jdoe@air.org is correct and jdoe@aircareers.org is not a legitimate AIR email address. If you are unsure of the legitimacy of a communication you have received, please reach out torecruitment@air.org. If you see a job scam, or lose money to one, report it to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) atReportFraud.ftc.gov. You can also report it to your state attorney general. Find out more about how to avoid scams atftc.gov/scams.</span></p> <p><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">#LI-AS1 #LI-REMOTE</span></p><div class="content-pay-transparency"><div class="pay-input"><div class="description"><p><a href="https://www.air.org/build-career-air/benefits">AIR’s Total Rewards Program</a>, is designed to reward our staff competitively and motivate them to achieve our critical mission. This position offers the anticipated annual salary as listed. Salary offers are made based on internal equity within the institution and external equity with competitive markets. Please note this is the annual salary range for candidates that are based in the United States.</p></div><div class="title">Anticipated Hourly Rate Range</div><div class="pay-range"><span>$22</span><span class="divider">—</span><span>$22 USD</span></div></div></div>
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