The Cato Institute is a public policy research organization – a think tank – dedicated to the principles of individual liberty, limited government, free markets, and peace. Its scholars and analysts conduct independent, nonpartisan research on various policy issues. Founded in 1977, Cato owes its name to Cato’s Letters, a series of essays published in 18th-century England that presented a vision of a society free from excessive government power.
Those essays inspired the architects of the American Revolution. And the simple, timeless principles of that revolution – individual liberty, limited government, and free markets – turn out to be even more potent in today’s world of global markets and unprecedented access to information than Jefferson or Madison could have imagined. Social and economic freedom is not just the best policy for free people. It is the indispensable framework for the future.
The Cato Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
The role
The Cato Institute seeks a Research Associate for its Center for Educational Freedom (CEF), a full-time position in Washington, DC. Employment to start on or shortly after September 1, 2022. The Research Associate assists scholars with tasks in a fast-paced environment, including producing books, studies, testimony, op-eds, slides, online content, broadcast appearances, and more.
The Research Associate also has light administrative responsibilities. Working alongside Cato’s policy scholars, the Research Associate will help promote the understanding that education works best for all people when it is rooted in freedom—those educated and those who educate. With a primary focus on K-12 education, CEF scholars advocate policies that empower parents to choose the education they think is best for their children. They also look to reduce government involvement in early childhood and higher education.
The Research Associate will occasionally co-author op-eds, articles, blog posts with CEF scholars, and solo-author blog posts. The Research Associate will receive professional development training, consisting primarily of educational sessions with senior Cato staff and guest lecturers from the business world and academia. The training is primarily intended to prepare the associate for a policy research career, but much is equally applicable to career paths in law, government, business, and more.
This role is available through our two-year Research Associate program, where you’ll have the opportunity to learn from senior staff and featured guest lecturers across academia and the business community. With ample opportunities to attend these educational sessions, network with peers and scholars, and gain mentorship from some of the nation’s foremost public policy scholars, you’ll be well prepared to excel as a leader in policy, academia, government, business, and beyond.
Key roles and responsibilities
- Assisting CEF scholars with their projects and events.
- Updating databases.
- Conducting literature reviews.
- Editing manuscripts.
- Supervising the work of interns.
- Light administrative duties.
Experience and skills
- Bachelor’s degree in economics, political science, sociology, public policy, education, or equivalent work experience in those fields.
- An interest in education policy.
- The ability to write concise, readable prose.
- An understanding of free markets.
- Expertise with Microsoft Word and Excel.
- Bonus skill: proficiency with STATA.