Hourly Research Assistant

Overview

The Heldrich Center is seeking a part-time graduate student intern to serve as a Graduate Research Assistant. This position will support Heldrich Center staff in a research project focused on Artificial Intelligence and Small Businesses in New Jersey.

Responsibilities: The Graduate Research Assistant will work primarily on six tasks:

·       conducting reviews and summaries of academic and policy literature on how AI intersects with and influences small business practices, challenges, and opportunities;

·       assistance in facilitating qualitative research methods (focus groups), including handling logistical details, note-taking, cleaning transcripts, basic qualitative data cleaning and analysis;

·       assistance with conducting labor market analyses, including gathering labor market data from public administrative data sources, identifying key variables, and examining patterns/trends;

·       attending project meetings with internal collaborators;

·       assisting with written and visual products for various audiences, including policy briefs, blog posts, and presentations; and

·       other duties as assigned.

Qualifications: Graduate students at any stage of their studies are welcome to apply.

Required Skills & Experience:

·       Strong interest in and general knowledge of public policy and artificial intelligence

·       Familiarity with public data sets on labor market information and related variables, including BLS, ACS, and IPEDS

·       Ability to work both independently and collaboratively

·       Detail-oriented and organized, including the ability to manage multiple tasks

·       Comfortable working with and organizing large datasets

·       Strong communication skills, including the ability to write clearly and concisely and synthesize literature from a variety of sources to support project topic area

·       Proficiency with Excel

Preferred Skills & Experience:

·       Experience with mixed-methods research, including familiarity NVivo

Schedule: 10 hours a week; 15-week position (starting the week of February 9, 2026, and ending the week of May 18, 2026 – specific dates are flexible)

Compensation: $20.00 per hour

To apply: please send a cover letter, resume, writing sample, and two references to Liana Lin (liana.lin@ejb.rutgers.edu) by Tuesday, January 13, 2026. Applications will be reviewed as they are received.