Research Analyst

Overview

AARP Foundation is the nation's leading organization serving the 39 million older adults living in poverty or one life event away from slipping into it. Our mission is to strengthen financial resilience for and with older adults by empowering individuals and improving systems. We do this by creating pathways to quality employment, removing barriers to benefits, and promoting equitable access to essential goods and services. To learn more, visit aarpfoundation.org or follow @AARPFoundation on social media.

The Research Analyst is a key member of a research team that advances social impact at the intersection of aging and economic security. This role contributes to research projects that generate actionable insights to inform the Foundation's strategic priorities, business decisions, and thought leadership efforts. The Research Analyst collects, analyzes, and visualizes data; translates findings into compelling products for diverse audiences; and coordinates and tracks activities across complex, cross-functional projects to support the development of high-quality research and thought leadership.

Responsibilities

• Conducts analyses of internal and external datasets for various initiatives to answer research questions and advance the work of the organization.
• Supports development of tools and processes for quantitative and qualitative research.
• Describes and explains data analyses to non-technical audiences in clear verbal, written, and visual forms.
• Executes tasks associated with visualization of research data and findings. Supports communication and research-sharing led and supported by the organization with internal and external audiences.
• Creates and maintains an accessible, user-friendly compendium of essential research and data related to the organization’s target population and strategic objectives.
• Supports integration of research results and findings into program development, implementation, and evaluation.
• Collaborates with and provides responsive and timely advice, guidance, and consultation to the organization’s staff related to research methods, methodology, data, and results/findings.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in data science, economics, public policy, statistics, sociology, demography, or a related quantitative field, with experience applying research and analytical methods to support decision-making.
• Two or more years of experience conducting quantitative analysis, data visualization, and statistical modeling using tools such as R, Python, Stata, or SPSS, including work with survey data and survey research methodologies.
• Proven ability to acquire, clean, manage, and integrate data from multiple sources, including public datasets and APIs, while ensuring data quality and integrity.
• Experience improving analytical processes through automation, scripting, and other efficient data management practices to enhance workflow effectiveness.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to explain complex analytical findings to non-technical audiences, manage projects and timelines, and work effectively with multiple stakeholders.
• Demonstrated analytical curiosity, problem-solving ability, and organizational skills, including the capacity to independently investigate unfamiliar datasets, generate actionable insights, manage competing priorities, exercise sound judgment, and deliver high-quality work on time.

Preferred:

• Master's degree in applied data science, economics, public policy, demography, statistics, sociology, or a related field.
• Experience conducting qualitative and mixed-methods research, including literature reviews, coding open-ended responses, synthesizing interview and focus group findings, and/or experience leveraging Python, R, or similar tools to acquire and analyze data from external sources such as websites, PDFs, and other unstructured formats.

AARP will not sponsor an employment visa for this position at this time.

Additional Requirements

• Regular and reliable job attendance
• Effective verbal and written communication skills
• Exhibit respect and understanding of others to maintain professional relationships
• Independent judgement in evaluation options to make sound decisions
• In office/open office environment with the ability to work effectively surrounded by moderate noise

Hybrid Work Environment

AARP observes Mondays and Fridays as remote workdays, except for essential functions. Remote work can only be done within the United States and its territories.

Compensation and Benefits

AARP offers a competitive compensation and benefits package including a 401(k); 100% company-funded pension plan; health, dental, and vision plans; life insurance; paid time off to include company and individual holidays, vacation, sick, caregiving, and parental leave; performance-based and peer-based recognition and tuition reimbursement.

Equal Employment Opportunity

AARP is an equal opportunity employer committed to hiring a diverse workforce and sustaining an inclusive culture. AARP does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, sex, color, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, mental or physical disability, genetic information, veteran status, or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law.