About Cato
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 a wide range of 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 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 powerful 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.
Cato Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Description
The Cato Institute seeks a policy analyst to explore the economics and economic consequences of human progress. As the world improves along many dimensions, critics point to allegedly worsening trends, including environmental degradation, inequality, materialism and consumerism, ambiguous or harmful nature of technological advances, loss of meaningful work and skills, and atomization and alienation. Successful candidates will engage with the criticisms of human progress by a) dispelling false narratives, b) analyzing real problems arising from increasing material abundance, and c) developing proposals that aim at the continuation of human progress while mitigating harm to humanity and to the planet within the framework of economic and civil freedoms. The successful candidate must have an advanced academic background in economics, economic development, and economic history.
The projected salary range for this role is $75,000-110,000. Compensation is based on the experience and skills of the successful candidate.
The Policy Analyst will report to Marian Tupy, founder and editor of HumanProgress.org, a project of the Cato Institute. This position can be based virtually anywhere in the U.S., with strong preference given to candidates who can work in a hybrid capacity at the Washington D.C. office.
Responsibilities
- Engage with issues pertaining to the economics of progress in print, media and social media, podcasts, conferences, etc.
- Survey progress-related output to identify the most important issues (e.g., problems, challenges, opportunities, etc.) and the most credible scholars working in those areas.
- Create working relationships with those scholars and cooperate on joint projects.
- In addition to writing articles and studies for Human Progress, the hire will commission, edit, and publish external scholars’ articles and studies.
- Research, analyze, and synthesize complex information and evaluate implications of various policy alternatives.
- Organize policy forums and other events about relevant policies.
Requirements
Education/Experience
- 3+ years of experience in public policy, research, or a related field. Relevant post-graduate education considered.
- Master’s or PhD in economics focusing on at least two of the following: economic growth and development, public goods and externalities, climate change and conservation, and poverty and redistribution. Candidates currently finishing a PhD in these areas are welcome to apply.
- A demonstrated understanding of relevant economic literature.
- A commitment to Cato’s values of individual freedom and limited government.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and project management tools.
Skills
- Self-starter with the ability to work on multiple tasks independently or collaboratively on a time-sensitive basis.
- Ability to communicate complex policy ideas to a wide audience, including stakeholders in government, academia, and the media.
- Ability to synthesize complex information from various sources into clear, actionable recommendations.
- Exceptional writing skills and commitment to producing high-quality policy briefs, research papers, op-eds, and reports.
- Strong verbal communication skills to participate in briefings, presentations, and debates.
- Ability to present policy ideas in an engaging and accessible way to both specialized and general audiences.
- Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues and external partners.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team to address policy challenges.
- Ability to manage and prioritize multiple research projects simultaneously while meeting deadlines.
- Willing to travel periodically, up to 5%.
Benefits
All Cato employees are provided with:
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- Employer contribution to a Health Savings Account (HSA)
- Generous vacation and sick days
- Paid parental leave
- Employer-provided life and disability insurance
- 401(k) employer match
- Transit/ Parking benefits
- Pet discount plan
How to Apply
Qualified candidates should submit the following application materials (in order) in one PDF document:
- A cover letter detailing your expertise in the economics of progress, your philosophical interest in Cato Institute, and why the position interests you.
- Resume
Applications should be submitted to Talent Market via this link: https://talentmarket.tfaforms.net/f/dreamjob
Questions can be directed to Bailey Drouant, Outreach Manager at Talent Market, who is managing the search: [email protected]
There is no application deadline for this position. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. This job will remain posted on our site until it is filled.
While we thank all applicants in advance for their interest in this position, we are only able to contact those to whom we can offer an interview. Only direct applications will be considered. No phone calls, please.
Talent Market is a nonprofit entity dedicated to promoting liberty by helping free-market nonprofits identify talent for critical roles. We provide consulting and recruiting services at no cost to 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations that clearly and directly focus on advancing the principles of economic freedom, free enterprise, free trade, free speech, property rights, rule of law, and limited regulation.
