Researcher - Academic jobs in Washington

Overview

Emerson Collective is an organization designed to develop opportunities and solutions in education, environment, immigration, and health equity through philanthropy, creativity and investments. Established and led by Laurene Powell Jobs, Emerson Collective brings together entrepreneurs and academics, artists, community leaders, and more to build solutions that spur measurable, lasting change. We work collectively to make the greatest difference possible. 

As with the whole of Emerson Collective, what matters most is that we work with people who are not only the very best at what they do, but also the kindest.

The Opportunity

Emerson Collective is seeking a highly skilled, intellectually curious and resourceful researcher to join our team and help us be smarter! As a researcher, you will play a crucial role in preparing our executive leadership for internal and external engagements by providing insightful, well-researched briefings, context, and strategic recommendations. We are looking for an individual who is proficient in gathering information from a wide variety of sources and can distill complex ideas and content into concise and relevant materials.

• Conduct in-depth research prior to executive leadership’s scheduled engagements, often with very quick turnaround times
• Synthesize large bodies of information from diverse sources (articles, podcasts, conversations) into nuanced summaries and analyses 
• Lead the generation of and/or contribute to background briefings/preparation documents (for public engagements; preparatory meetings for same; private meetings; interviews), compiling key points and potential points of relevance to EC’s work 
• Prepare dossiers on specific people, events, venues, etc.
• Prepare sets of potential questions for interviews, conversations, panel discussions, etc.
• Flag sensitive topics that require careful consideration during discussions
• Prepare and/or contribute to talking points for specific events, occasions, subjects
• Explore new topics/fields when directed, and prepare overviews/analyses/summaries/data points as requested
• Verify/fact-check content (generated within and outside of EC)

• Two-five years’ experience in research and analysis, ideally in one or more of Emerson’s focus areas
• Experience with briefing preparation in a fast-paced and dynamic work environment preferred, including consulting, media, academia, finance, or political field
• Ability to operate with a sense of urgency and handle quick turnaround times without compromising accuracy and quality
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey complex information clearly and concisely
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously
• Proficiency in using research tools, databases, and technology for information gathering
• Strong intuition, incredibly perceptive, resourceful and curious
• Operate with care, kindness and a spirit of generosity
• A passion for social impact and a deep commitment to Emerson Collective's mission
• Excited by working in an environment where any idea is possible, and is driven to help execute to make those ideas happen 

Location

Emerson Collective is a Bay Area-based organization with offices in Palo Alto, East Palo Alto, San Francisco, Oakland, Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, and Washington, D.C. This position is onsite four days per week.

To Apply

To apply please submit a cover letter and resume through our website.

This position requires being up to date on COVID vaccination consistent with current CDC guidelines, subject to documented religious and/or medical exemptions.

Building a diverse and inclusive workforce is key to our mission and values as we strive to create systemic change and open possibilities for all of the communities we serve. To that end, we provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, or genetics.