Academic Research Analyst

Disclaimer:

• Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the United States. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.
• Full-time positions at the Institute for Humane Studies (IHS) require periodic travel for in-person team gatherings, typically several times per year. Locations may vary. 

 

Job Summary

The Academic Research Analyst supports organizational decision-making by analyzing and interpreting data related to IHS programs, partnerships, research outputs, and institutional impact. Reporting to the Director of Academic Research, this role produces structured analyses and written reports that inform strategy, respond to internal and external requests, and support recurring organizational reporting. The Analyst works with both data and internal stakeholders to ensure analytical outputs are accurate, clearly communicated, and aligned with established measurement approaches.

 

Supervisory Responsibilities

• None.

 

Duties and Responsibilities

Project Intake and Stakeholder Support

• Complete analytics projects submitted through established intake processes (e.g., Asana), including both rapid-turnaround requests and longer-term analyses.
• Partner with internal teams (e.g., Programs, Solution Coalitions, Development, Communications/Marketing, and Leadership) and, as applicable, external partners to clarify questions, confirm definitions, and deliver decision-ready outputs.
• Maintain clear documentation of assumptions, definitions, and methodologies used in recurring or high-use analyses.

Impact Measurement and Reporting

• Analyze data on IHS activities (e.g., funding programs, conferences, seminars, convenings) and related partner activity to support measurement of effectiveness and impact.
• Provide recurring reporting metrics and ad hoc reporting support, including manual validation as needed to ensure outputs answer the intended question.
• Support analysis of scholarly and research outputs across relevant disciplines (e.g., economics, political science, philosophy, law, history) as required for institutional reporting and impact narratives.

Data Preparation and Quality for Analysis

• Extract, organize, and prepare datasets from CRM and other data systems for analysis and reporting.
• Validate analytical datasets and outputs for accuracy and consistency; identify data limitations and caveats and communicate them clearly to stakeholders.
• Coordinate with the appropriate data owner(s) when data issues affect reporting accuracy or analytical reliability.

Tools, Process Improvement, and Analytical Development

• Identify opportunities to improve analysis workflows (e.g., repeatable queries, templates, dashboards, or lightweight automation) in coordination with the Director of Business Intelligence.
• Learn and apply additional analytical tools as needed (e.g., SQL, Python, R, Tableau or comparable tools, as well as artificial intelligence) to improve efficiency and analytical quality.

 

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., social science, economics, public policy, statistics, data analytics, or comparable discipline).
• Demonstrated ability to conduct data analysis and produce clear written analytical outputs (professional, academic, or equivalent experience).
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain findings to non-technical audiences.
• Ability to manage multiple requests, prioritize work, and meet deadlines in a high-demand environment.
• Ability to evaluate information from multiple sources, reconcile inconsistencies, and document assumptions.
• Proficiency in Excel; experience with CRM systems (Salesforce preferred).

 

Preferred Qualifications

• Coursework or experience in statistics, quantitative methods, or program evaluation.
• Experience working with nonprofit, academic, or research datasets and/or impact measurement.
• Familiarity with SQL, Python, R, or similar tools used for analysis and reporting.
• Familiarity with academic research environments and classical liberal ideas.

To apply, qualified candidates must submit the following materials:

• Resume
• Cover letter detailing your interest in this position and why the IHS mission resonates with you.
• Portfolio/Writing samples 

EEO Statement: 

We are an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law. 

 

About IHS:

The Institute for Humane Studies (IHS) is a think network advancing the principles and practices of freedom in the academy, public policy, and civil society. 

 

Founded in 1961, IHS believes that the liberal tradition has yielded unprecedented freedom and human flourishing. And in this moment, when the forces of illiberalism on both the left and right are gaining ground at an alarming pace, our vision is to spark a new spirit of liberal freedom. 

Our Work:

• Cultivating a pool of intellectual talent for partners in policy, civil society, philanthropy, and the academy through $1.5 million in fellowship and career development programs.
• Catalyzing scholarship and academic networks to strengthen the fields of foundational and applied research that matter most to a free society.
• Equipping freedom-focused research centers, think tanks, foundations, and civil society organizations with the research and experts they need to maximize their impact in policy and in communities across the country. 

 

IHS Benefits:

We have a flexible, professional, open office environment that encourages innovation and entrepreneurship and provides substantial opportunity for professional growth. Salary is competitive and will be commensurate with experience. IHS provides exceptional benefits to all employees, including health and dental insurance coverage (which includes paying 100% of the health and dental insurance premium for individuals), health savings accounts, long-term disability and life insurance, a 403(b) retirement savings program, a parking permit and 12 free tuition credit hours annually at George Mason University.