1/26/2026 | We are Hiring! Join the BNIA-JFI Team as a Research Assistant
Salary: $52,000 – $61,000
Job Description:
Support high-quality research on community-based indicators and work on projects related to data integration for social policy. The Research Assistant is engaged in a full range of research and research analysis tasks, with a special focus on analyzing quantitative data using GIS and other software, such as R or Python. Other tasks include producing literature reviews; conducting qualitative field work; contributing to the creation of project schedules; contributing to writing reports, academic journals and other products; assisting in communicating key research findings to the public; and supporting BNIA-JFI outreach and engagement at public events.
The role is eligible for a hybrid work schedule, with up to two days of telework possible. This is a regular grant-funded position with benefits.
Responsibilities:
- Support research by performing a full range of research analysis tasks for multiple projects
- Participate in report writing including literature reviews and document preparation. Support the team in communicating key research findings to the public using print, online and other media outlets.
- Assisting supervisor on management of client relationships, particularly with respect to data sharing with city/state agencies and other organizations.
- Working with team members to ensure timely execution of other projects not under the direct purview of the research assistant
Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in a related field, such as Public Policy, Urban Planning, Sociology or Business, or in quantitative fields such as Mathematics, Computer Science or Statistics.
Preferred Qualifications:
- At least 2 years’ experience with conducting research and performing research management tasks or intern/externships in this domain.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Experience with ArcGIS or other mapping programs (open source such as QGIS).
- Knowledge of at least one programming language is required.
- Experience working with large datasets for quantitative analysis, statistical packages (SAS, SPSS, Stata, R), or additional computer programming languages (Javascript, Python) is a plus.
- Must have a strong interest in learning and working with new technologies.
- Experience in communications or summarizing policy research results for an external audience is also a plus.
- Requires an organized, highly motivated, creative, and self-confident individual who can work effectively on multiple projects at once.
- Demonstrate strong interest in one or more of the following topics: housing policy, housing and services for vulnerable populations, environment, economic development, or neighborhood indicators.
This position will occasionally attend events representing BNIA-JFI on nights and weekends. Frequency is approximately twice per quarter.
To apply, please include both a cover letter and resume with your application.
Featured Past Events
Redevelopment and Justice in Baltimore
April 2018
University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC)
Gentrification has long been a watchword for neighborhoods facing redevelopment and the many social and economic changes it brings. How can Baltimore neighborhoods renew themselves without forcing out local residents or homogenizing diverse populations? This expert panel will focus on key questions linking gentrification and social justice, from the reasons why black neighborhoods and immigrants matter to the role of arts and entertainment districts in the process of redevelopment. Attention will be paid to the Vital Signs report, issued by the Baltimore Neighborhood Indicators Alliance, which provides data on quality of life in Baltimore communities.
Sponsored by the Dresher Center for the Humanities; the American Studies Department; the Political Science Department; and Critical Social Justice, Women’s Center.
Baltimore Innovation Week 2017
GEOLOOM co>map: Cultural Mapping in Baltimore
Tuesday, October 3, 2017
12:00pm-1:00pm
11 W. Mount Royal Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21201
This workshop, led by BNIA-JFI Research Assistant Christine Hwang, helped attendees navigate the GEOLOOM co>map as well as demonstrate how the tool can be a resource for communities and the city of Baltimore. The workshop demonstrated different ways residents and community organizations can add their own arts and culture data, such as information about community events, public art, and historic sites, to the GEOLOOM co>map. This allows communities to self-define what they consider arts and culture and, in turn, show both what brings neighborhoods together and makes them unique.
Baltimore Data Day
Baltimore Data Day is an annual conference and workshop open to the public to learn about the latest data and technology about neighborhoods. Presentations from past events are available for download.