Research Analyst

Position Summary:

Are you a driven, curious, and analytical professional? If so, Democracy Forward Foundation is looking for a Research Analyst to join our team.

We are seeking a motivated and collaborative Research Analyst to help drive investigations within the Oversight Team. This position will be responsible for tracking news developments, identifying opportunities for targeted and strategic open records requests, and analyzing records received to contribute to our understanding of the functioning of the federal government.

This position is full-time and hybrid in our Washington, DC office.

• If hybrid, this role requires regular in-office presence e.g., 8 times per month.
• Remote candidates are still encouraged to apply and exceptional candidates will still be considered.
• Remote candidates will be expected to travel to DC at least quarterly for team retreats and organizational meetings.

The Research Analyst will report to the Director of Oversight and work closely with the rest of the Oversight team including research analysts, legal administrative assistants, oversight attorneys, and senior oversight counsel. In addition this person will collaborate regularly with members of our Legal team as well as members of our Policy and Public Affairs team. Applications are due by Friday January 16, 2026.

Key Responsibilities:

Below are the key areas of responsibility for this role. The specifics of each duty may vary based on the needs of the organization and department.

• Partner with Oversight team members to identify issues and individuals to investigate with transparency tools, by regularly monitoring a wide variety of news sources and other open-source intelligence
• Draft targeted and strategic public records requests in consultation with oversight attorneys in order to extract the most salient government records as effectively as possible 
• Review incoming records that we obtain via FOIA or litigation to identify follow-up inquiries, potential news stories, and opportunities for further research
• Leverage public sources and other resources to develop additional information and context for the documents we uncover
• Collaborate with the Policy and Public Affairs team to craft narratives based on our investigations and their findings, and to convey the results of our work to the public in a persuasive manner
• Participate in rapid response research to complement legal and communications efforts

Qualifications:

We recognize that strong candidates may not meet 100% of the qualifications listed. If you believe you can contribute meaningfully to our team, we encourage you to apply.

Required:

• 3+ years of experience in research or investigatory experience
• Experience working in a team and handling multiple projects in a fast-paced environment
• Proficiency with the Freedom of Information Act and public records requests
• Familiarity with congressional and executive branch disclosure filings and commonly used research databases
• Understanding of the current media landscape
• Strong writing and proofreading skills with exceptional  attention to detail
• An interest in government ethics and accountability
• Self-motivated with an ability to work both collaboratively and independently
• High degree of professional ethics and integrity

Work Environment & Physical Demands:

• This role may require occasional travel for team retreats, conferences, or organizational meetings.
• This role may involve sitting for extended periods and working on a computer. Reasonable accommodations will be provided as needed.

The salary range for this position is $75,000-$90,000 plus excellent benefits. Compensation is commensurate with experience. 

Democracy Forward Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals. We strongly encourage people of color; LGBTQIA+ people; women; people with disabilities; and veterans to apply. Please note that all lawyer positions require a law degree and active membership in the bar of a state or the District of Columbia. 

Not sure you meet all of our qualifications? Research shows that men apply for jobs when they meet an average of 60% of the criteria. Yet women and other people who are systematically marginalized tend to only apply if they meet every requirement.  If you believe that you could excel in this role, we encourage you to apply. We are dedicated to considering a broad array of candidates, including those with diverse workplace experiences and backgrounds. Whether you are new to mission-based legal and policy work, returning to work after a gap in employment, or simply looking to transition or take the next step in your career path, we welcome the opportunity to have you on our radar.  Please include in your cover letter the nature of your interest in legal and policy work promoting democracy and progress and what you hope to bring to our team and the role for which you are applying.