Research Assistant

Job Announcement Research Assistant

Middle East Broadcasting Networks (MBN) seeks a Research Assistant to support a senior correspondent and editorial team. This role is ideal for an individual with strong research and writing skills, a keen interest in Middle Eastern affairs, and the ability to work efficiently under tight deadlines. The Research Assistant will play a key role in producing deeply reported, historically grounded, and timely content across broadcast and digital platforms.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

The following tasks are considered essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions:

• Conduct in-depth research using a wide range of sources, including historical archives, academic publications, and news databases
• Identify, verify, and synthesize information to support editorial projects, scripts, and on-air content
• Assist in drafting background memos, research briefs, and written content under deadline
• Track ongoing developments in the Middle East and related global affairs
• Pre-interview prospective guests and sources to assess relevance, expertise, and editorial value
• Prepare detailed briefing materials and talking points for interviews
• Identify, outreach to, and coordinate with potential interview subjects and experts
• Schedule and help manage logistics for interviews and recordings
• Organize and maintain research materials, notes, and source files for easy retrieval
• Support the production of digital content, including social media posts and short-form video clips (as needed)
• Collaborate with editorial and production teams to ensure accuracy, clarity, and timeliness of content
  
  

Other Duties:

Perform additional job-related duties and take on new responsibilities as needed based on organizational requirements and circumstances.

Qualifications and Requirements:

Candidates are required to have:

• Bachelor’s degree required; background in journalism, history, Middle Eastern studies, political science, or a related field preferred
• Demonstrated ability to conduct rigorous research and navigate archival materials
• Strong writing, editing, and organizational skills
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and meet tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment
  
  

Preferred Skills:

• Proficiency in Arabic (reading and/or speaking)
• Experience with video editing and/or creating social media content
• Familiarity with research databases, archival systems, and fact-checking processes
  
  

MBN is an equal opportunity employer committed to workforce diversity.