Graduate and Undergraduate Analysts

About

We are seeking 2-4 highly motivated undergraduate analysts to join our team and collaborate on our next phase of philanthropic investment.

As an analyst, you will play a crucial role by surveying various issue areas and developing strategic recommendations to inform our grantmaking activities. Analysts may also assist in the execution of a grant cycle, which includes soliciting requests for proposals, conducting due dilegence, structuring grants, measuring impact and reporting results to the board.

QUOI seeks to invest in the following two areas during this calendar year:

  • Journalistic efforts to quantify and illustrate the impact of money in politics on the lives of every day citizens

  • Other projects that directly combat the negative impacts of money in politics on the lives of every day citizens. These could include efforts to advance regulation, strategies that build public demand for change, the creation of digital products and tools to address a specific problem, etc.

The team will not conduct original emperical research. Instead, the analyst team will be jointly responsible for helping the board narrow down potential giving areas, and making recommendations about how QUOI’s resources may best be used.

Responsibilities:

  • As an Analyst at QUOI, you will help to organize, participate in, assist, and assess research. Responsibilities include:

    Research Review, Synthesis, and Outreach

    • Track down, critically review, and synopsize past and ongoing research and public documents

    • Identify, contact, and interact with persons who have made significant contributions to areas of priority to QUOI and/or who may be deemed likely to be engaged by QUOI to undertake research in such areas

    • Organize meetings with government officials, journalists, nonprofits, and other thought leaders 

    Research & Analysis

    • Interact with the QUOI Research Board and external scholars to formulate research designs and determine appropriate research methodologies

    • If appropriate/interested, conduct quantitative and/or qualitative research on topics related to money in politics, campaign finance, public policy, and democratic governance, which may include the analysis of data from public records, academic sources, and proprietary research, and which should culminate in the synthesis of findings into clear, evidence-based insights

    Grant Support & Evaluation

    • Assist in reviewing and evaluating research grant applications

    • Assess progress and outcomes of funded research projects

    • Prepare recommendations for QUOI’s Research Board

    Reporting & Communication  

    • Write communications to update the QUOI research boards and other stakeholders 

Qualifications

  • Current undergraduates and graduate students, preferably studying government, economics, statistics, social studies, or a related field

  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with demonstrated ability to explain complex concepts clearly

  • Ability to interpret research and articulate implications for policy and public discourse

  • Detail-oriented with a commitment to rigorous, objective research

  • Comfortable working both independently and collaboratively

  • Ability to advance work without constant supervision 

  • Preferred but not required:

    • Demonstrated interest in issues related to money in politics, transparency, and governance.

    • Sudents interested and able to make a weekly time commitment for at least six months and preferably up to a year or longer.

    • Ability to travel to conduct due diligence with selected QUOI board and staff

Benefits

  • Opportunity to gain hands-on experience in philanthropy and grantmaking activities.

  • Flexible work schedule to accommodate academic commitments.

  • Competitive compensation and potential for professional development opportunities.

  • Opportunity to work with QUOI’s board and staff, and gain exposure to potential grantees

Application Process:

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until March 10th.

To apply, please submit the following materials on the portal:

  • a resume

  • an academic writing sample from any discipline

  • supplemental responses

    Part I — Analysis (choose one)

    Please respond to one of the following prompts (300–500 words):

    1. What questions do you think it would be most useful to answer about the role of money in American politics today?

    OR

    2. Given the constraints described above, what do you think would be the most impactful way to make a difference in the space of money in politics today? Explain why you think this approach could matter and what “impact” would realistically look like.

    Part II — Background and interests (short response)

    In 150–250 words:

    What is one piece of research, analysis, or body of work that you find especially interesting, have worked on yourself, or have encountered in your studies? Briefly explain what drew you to it and what you found compelling, surprising, or unresolved.

Join us in making a meaningful impact on the political landscape and advancing transparency and accountability in money in politics. We look forward to welcoming you to our team!