Research Assistant

RESEARCH ASSISTANT JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title: Research Assistant

Job Type: Full-Time, Non-Exempt

Reports to: Senior Research Manager

Duration: August 17, 2026 – April 30, 2027, with possibility for extension contingent on grant funding

Job Location: Hybrid; 2 days per week required in our NYC offices, with additional days as needed to fulfill job duties

Salary Range: Pregnancy Justice sets salary ranges based on experience and in

accordance with the organizational pay scale. This position seeks a candidate with 1-3 years of experience, representing a salary range of $71,225 - $74,830. Additional

details are specified below.

• 1 Year of Experience: $71,225
• 2 Years of Experience: $73,005
• 3 Years of Experience: $74,830

Job Summary

Pregnancy Justice’s research team documents pregnancy-related prosecutions and their impact across the United States and equips allies and policymakers with the knowledge and tools to advance the human rights of pregnant people. The research team’s flagship initiative, the Pregnancy Prosecutions Tracking Study, is an interdisciplinary, mixed-methods, and first-of-its-kind study to document the extent and nature of pregnancy criminalization in the three years after the U.S. Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision, which overturned Roe v. Wade. The project is an academic-advocacy partnership between Pregnancy Justice and legal academic scholars in Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina, Texas, and Oklahoma.

Pregnancy Justice seeks a Research Assistant to join the team. The Research Assistant is responsible for identifying cases of pregnancy-related criminalization, collecting data, coding and recording information, undertaking basic quality control checks, conducting basic data analysis, and assisting with the reporting and presentation of findings. The Research Assistant reports to the Senior Research Manager. This position is grant-funded until April 30, 2027, with possibility for extension contingent on grant funding.

Essential Job Functions

The minimum performance expectations include, but are not limited to:

• Support data collection by making formal requests for case records to courts and administrative offices by email and/or phone and managing and organizing related files;
• Review cases for relevance according to study definition of pregnancy-related prosecutions;
• Code case records for quantitative analysis as part of large coding team;
• Support creation of data visualizations and brief case narratives for research reports and updates to Pregnancy Justice’s online data center;
• Review research trends for reports and fact sheets, such as post-Dobbs health policy and social science literature;
• Prepare data in response to requests from scholars, students, journalists, and advocates;
• Act in compliance with the Institutional Review Board (IRB) requirements and maintain high standard of confidentiality.

Qualifications:

• 1-3 years of experience in research, non-profit, or public sector setting;
• Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail;
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills;
• Excellent time management skills with the ability to meet deadlines;
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills;
• Ability to maintain high standard of confidentiality, as well as sensitivity and respect for subject matter;
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively;
• Familiarity with Excel and Google Sheets.

Common Requirements for All Positions:

• Demonstrated commitment to and passion for Pregnancy Justice’s mission,
• goals, and priorities, as well as its organizational culture and values.
• Approaches work with rigor, diligence, and a desire for excellence — not perfectionism — grounded in the discipline that comes from caring about
• Able to self-recognize or receive feedback about one’s mistakes, own them, learn from them, integrate their lessons, and move forward.
• Ability to work independently, take initiative, look forward, and be proactive.
• Ability to manage time effectively to meet deadlines.
• Ability to interact with all staff in a positive, productive, and respectful manner.
• Full fluency in English is required.

Other Critical Competencies:

• Integrity: Acts with honesty, transparency, equity, and in accordance with the highest ethical standards. Follows through on all commitments.
• Strategic Thinking: Within the context of the individual’s role, applies big-picture thinking to achieve long-term outcomes, while also focusing on the details of short- to mid-term implementation.
• Sound Judgment: Uses common sense and factual data to make decisions in a timely manner. Accurately differentiates between important and unimportant issues.
• Problem Solving: Helps to identify and resolve conflicts or problems constructively to reach the best solutions for the organization and in furtherance of our priorities. Proposes solutions to effectively address underlying issues.
• Communication: Communicates thoughtfully, clearly, and directly within and across teams.
• Collaboration: Works effectively with various and diverse individuals and groups (both internally and externally), with a willingness to actively listen and invite different views and opinions to build alignment in support of a common goal. Works to ensure a thoughtful, effective, and strategic approach to legal work that values and incorporates all relevant voices, perspectives, areas, and depth of
• Commitment to Learning: Applies a growth mentality to one’s own development. Models inquisitiveness and an openness to learn and improve. Demonstrates willingness and capacity to receive and provide positive and constructive feedback to all levels of staff with emotional intelligence. Takes ownership of individual growth in order to achieve full potential.
• Nimbleness: Within the context of the individual’s role, demonstrates comfort with ambiguity, needing to be flexible and adaptable, consistently reassessing priorities to make sound decisions and take strategic risks in furtherance of our mission and priorities.

Working Conditions & Physical Requirements

The work is primarily performed in an office setting and/or remotely, with offsite

meetings and events. Occasional travel will be required. Suitable candidates must be able to read, write, and interpret documents and perform highly detailed work. This is largely a sedentary position that requires the employee to sit, stand, walk, and bend, and may occasionally require moving files and other equipment.

As operational needs allow and with supervisory approval, staff are able to sign off early on Friday afternoons, typically at 1:00 pm for 9:00 am start, or 2:00 pm for a 10:00 am start so long as deadlines and operational needs are met. Staff are not eligible for comp time for time worked beyond a half-day on a Friday. Pregnancy Justice endeavors to avoid internal meetings on Fridays to allow for quiet focused work time.

Operational demands of the organization will sometimes require employees to work

longer hours, including nights and weekends. When this occurs, the employee’s direct supervisor may authorize occasional alterations to their start and/or end times.

Pregnancy Justice is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for pregnant people and individuals with disabilities, including in the application process. If you need reasonable accommodations to participate in the application or interview process, please send an email with the subject line “Reasonable Accommodation Request” to HR@pregnancyjusticeus.org.

Unionized Workplace

This position is part of a collective bargaining unit represented by the Association of Legal Advocates and Attorneys – UAW Local 2325. Employment terms, including salary scale and benefits, will be governed by the collective bargaining agreement. We are committed to maintaining a respectful, transparent, and collaborative labor-management relationship.

Commitment to Inclusive Hiring Practices

Research indicates that members of marginalized communities tend to underestimate their qualifications and only apply when they meet all of the criteria in a job posting. If you are excited about this opportunity but are unsure if your past experience aligns with  the job description, we encourage you to apply. We would appreciate the opportunity to  consider your application and how your talents and experience can bring value to this  role.

Pregnancy Justice is an equal opportunity employer and we do not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, religion or belief, gender, pregnancy, national origin, height and weight, citizenship, marital or domestic partnership status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, military or veteran status, physical characteristics such as height and weight, or any characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. Pregnancy Justice recognizes and values the benefits of a diverse workforce.

Please note: Due to the large number of applications we receive, we are not able to respond to every individual, and we appreciate your understanding. Please refrain from follow-up emails, phone calls, or social media messages.