Careers
The Institute for Advanced Study has served as one of the leading independent centers for theoretical research and intellectual inquiry since its establishment in 1930, advancing the frontiers of knowledge across the sciences and humanities. From founding IAS Faculty Albert Einstein, Erwin Panofsky, and John von Neumann to influential figures Emmy Noether, George Kennan, and J. Robert Oppenheimer to the foremost thinkers of the present, IAS is dedicated to enabling independent inquiry and fundamental discovery.
What is it like to work at IAS?
Current Employee Benefits
IAS employees are able to choose between three healthcare plan options for medical coverage. Each option includes prescription coverage and vision coverage. Dental coverage is also available.
Life Insurance and AD&D coverage are provided at no cost to IAS employees at 1.5X their respective annual salary. Employees are also covered under private short-term and long-term disability plans and have the opportunity to purchase additional voluntary insurance for themselves, their spouse and children.
The Institute contributes 9.5% of an employee’s base compensation up to the Social Security wage base and 15% of base compensation above the wage base to the IRS cap into a 401(a) Plan. Employees may participate in a voluntary tax-deferred annuity plan into a 403(b) Plan.
Employees are eligible to take college-credit courses that either enhance skills in their current position or prepare them for another appointment at IAS. The reimbursement is 100% of the first $1,500 in tuition and fees and 75% of the remaining costs up to a maximum of $5,250 per year.
IAS employees are able to earn up to 28 days per fiscal year of paid time off. In addition, employees usually have paid time off on IAS holidays. The Institute's holiday schedule is announced annually and normally includes: New Year’s Day, President’s Day, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, the Friday after Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and the days between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
Job Postings
Position Summary
The Academic Assistant is responsible for providing administrative assistance and clerical support to the School Administrative Officer, Faculty, Members, and Visitors.
Essential Job Duties
Faculty Support, Workshops, and Seminars (50%)
- Provides administrative assistance and clerical support for 3 permanent Faculty members
- Prepares letters of recommendation in LaTeX, tracks the deadlines, and issues reminders
- Organizes weekly seminars led by assigned Faculty
- Coordinates short-term visits for corresponding seminar speakers
- Coordinates short-term visits for Faculty collaborators
- Collaborates with the Program Manager to plan workshops and conferences for assigned Faculty
- Assists with monitoring deadlines and compiling data for Faculty grant reports
- Assists with monitoring deadlines and meeting specifications for journals and other publishers
Member Support (30%)
- Drafts, sends, tracks, and files new Member offer letters
- Guides new Members through the onboarding process
- Turns over Member offices and submits facilities requests as necessary
- Schedules and facilitates Member check-in meetings
- Writes and sends annual funding and travel letters
- Coordinates short-term visits for approved Member collaborators
- Processes Member reimbursements
- Sends and answers questions about departure instructions.
School Projects (10%)
- Coordinates named lecture series, including speaker logistics, publicity, and formal dinners
- Compiles data for annual grant reporting, including Participant Data and Post-Doctoral Tracking
- Administers the annual Salem Prize
- Completes monthly P3 updates for previous Members
- Updates and maintains spring and fall award nomination lists
- Processes 50% of the School’s ELP forms
All Other Duties as Assigned by the Supervisor (10%)
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree
- 1 year in an administrative role
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Excellent interpersonal skills, as well as the ability to work cooperatively in a team environment
- Ability to maintain confidentiality
- Proficiency in standard office software, including Google Sheets and Microsoft Word
- Ability to type at least 40 words per minute
- Knowledge of or ability to learn Drupal
- Knowledge of or ability to learn LaTeX
Working Conditions
To perform this role successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.
The Institute for Advanced Study retains the right to change or assign other duties to this position at any time.
The anticipated pay range for this position is $52,000 to $56,000. We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision insurance; life insurance; short- and long-term disability coverage; flexible spending accounts; paid holidays; paid time off; tuition assistance; retirement plans; and an employee assistance program.
For consideration, please apply here and include a cover letter.
The desired start date is May 26, 2026.
The Institute for Advanced Study is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
We partnered with Isaacson, Miller for this search.
For the position description, please click here Isaacson, Miller
The Institute for Advanced Study is seeking summer interns in professional and skilled trade departments.
The following departments have opportunities available: Computing, Communications, Facilities, Grounds, and Painting.
Openings in Computing can be found here:
Openings in Communications can be found here:
Openings in Facilities can be found here:
Openings in Grounds can be found here:
Openings in the Paint Shop can be found here:
The hourly pay rate for these positions is $17.00.
For consideration, please complete the online application.
The Institute for Advanced Study is an Equal Opportunity Employer.