Migration Policy Institute (MPI) Research Assistant Job 2026 in Washington DC: Apply for Immigration Policy Research Opportunity
Overview
The Migration Policy Institute (MPI), an independent, nonpartisan think tank that works to improve immigration and integration policy through research, policy analysis, dialogue and new ideas, is hiring a Research Assistant for its U.S. Immigration Policy Program in Washington, DC. The program studies the policies that shape migration to the United States, covering legal immigration pathways, visa systems, refugee resettlement, asylum, border management, immigration enforcement, governance and demographic research on immigrant populations.
The Research Assistant monitors and analyses immigration policy developments and tracks congressional actions, regulatory changes, executive actions and court decisions, preparing summaries for internal and external audiences. Other tasks include literature reviews, gathering and analysing quantitative and qualitative data, producing verified figures and tables, drafting research summaries, policy documents and memoranda under senior guidance and supporting MPI reports and publications. The role also helps with public events, private roundtables, webinars, research briefings, project meetings, research interviews and programme administration, and may support intern coordination, project management and fundraising research for grant proposals and reports.
Requirements
Applicants need a bachelor's degree with at least one year of professional experience, although those without a degree but with significant relevant experience may be considered. Required skills include strong research and analysis, excellent English writing, knowledge of key U.S. immigration policy topics such as visa pathways, border policy and asylum systems, experience supporting quantitative or qualitative research, the ability to analyse laws, regulations, policy guidance and court decisions, attention to accuracy and the ability to manage multiple assignments independently and in teams. Foreign language skills, statistical analysis, advanced Excel, Stata, familiarity with immigration law and migration policy research experience are preferred.
What you get
The salary range is $52,000 to $67,000 per year depending on skills and experience, with health and retirement benefits and professional development. The job is based at MPI's office in Washington, DC, and staff are expected to work in the office at least three days per week.
How to apply
Applicants email a cover letter, a resume or CV and an unedited, sole-authored writing sample, with files labelled with the applicant's last name, using the subject line Research Assistant, U.S. Program, and say how they learned about the position. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and only shortlisted candidates are contacted.
Key dates
The deadline is 24 August 2026.