Graduate Student Internships, Demography of Religion

Organization Overview 

Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan fact tank that informs the public about the issues, attitudes and trends shaping America and the world. It conducts public opinion polling, demographic research, media content analysis and other empirical social science research in the areas of U.S. politics and policy views; media and journalism; internet and technology; science and society; religion and public life; Hispanic trends; global attitudes and U.S. social and demographic trends. Pew Research Center does not take policy positions. It is a subsidiary of The Pew Charitable Trusts. The Center’s work is carried out by a staff of about 170.

Position Summary

This is an opportunity for approximately eight weeks during the summer of 2024. Social science graduate students with an interest in religion, demography and/or international research are strongly encouraged to apply.

You will assist demography of religion team members on research related to the religious composition and demographic characteristics of religious groups in every nation for 2010 and 2020 (updating earlier work, such as http://www.pewforum.org/2012/12/18/global-religious-landscape-exec/).

Tasks may include making fertility estimates for religious groups, assessing how new estimates of religious change between 2010 and 2020 compare with recent projections (https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2015/04/02/religious-projections-2010-2050/), as well as verifying estimates, source lists, and methodological descriptions.

You will estimate/verify religious composition and fertility data based on analysis of survey data and census micro-samples as well as from published data and customized tables from national statistical agencies. This research will be incorporated into new reports measuring religious change. 

Geographical requirements

Pew Research Center offices in downtown, Washington DC will change locations during the summer and for a few weeks, all staff will work remotely. Coming into the office during other weeks is optional. Full-time Pew staff usually work in the office on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

This position can be 100% remote. Candidates must be able to legally work in the United States and reside in one of the 17 places the Center is set up as an employer: Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia or Wisconsin.

Compensation

Pay for this position is $25/hour for 300 hours (about 8 weeks at 37.5 hours/week).

Primary Responsibilities

• Analyze and extract data from demographic surveys, census datasets and general population surveys.
• Write up results.
• Assist in ongoing team projects.

Education/Training/Experience

• Training and experience with descriptive statistics is required.
• Training in demography and/or the social scientific study of religion is desirable.
• Background in data management and analysis preferred.
• Experience analyzing census and survey data is desired.
• Experience with Stata, R, or other statistical software required.
• Current enrollment in a social science graduate program (such as sociology, demography, economics or political science) is preferred.

Knowledge & Skills Requirements

• Interest in international research.
• A “numbers person” with strong quantitative and statistical skills.
• Detail oriented with exacting standards to maintain accuracy and impartiality in all work products.
• Strong verbal and written communications skills.
• Interest in expanding skills to cover new analytical tools and methods.
• Ability to work well in a team setting.
• Ability to balance numerous tasks simultaneously and meet tight deadlines.
• Strong quantitative skills as well as the ability to write clearly and think critically.

FLSA Status: Non-exempt

Location

Pew Research Center staff may work virtually from remote locations up to three days in a standard work week. Staff are required to be present in the Center’s Washington, D.C., office on two core days weekly (Tues. and Wed.). This internship may be 100% remote.

Application Procedure

Click on the Apply button, and complete required fields. Both cover letter and resume are required.

When requested, please upload a copy of your resume/cv, as well as a copy of your cover letter in the section labeled Resume/Cover Letter. If the documents have successfully uploaded, you should see 2 attached files beneath the “Drop files here” box. Please make sure you have uploaded a resume AND a cover letter before moving on to the next page.