About the Organization

The American Institute for Economic Research educates Americans on the value of personal freedom, free enterprise, property rights, limited government, and sound money. AIER’s ongoing scientific research demonstrates the importance of these principles in advancing peace, prosperity, and human progress.

About the Role

The scholars on our Research team are key contributors to this mission. Research fellows are responsible for producing rigorous, high-quality, and scientifically robust research that advances the Institute and its intellectual mission of educating the public about economic freedom and the principles of a free society. Research Fellows are expected to make regular and substantive intellectual contributions in both scholarly and popular venues, as well as regular contributions to the Institute’s publications and products. The Research Fellow will interact with external audiences and support our outreach and communications efforts aimed at our “everyman” audience.

The Research Fellow will report to the Director of Economics and Economic Freedom. This role can be executed from AIER’s office in Great Barrington, MA or virtually from within the United States and will also require some travel for conferences and speaking engagements. Virtual candidates will be expected to travel to the office at least quarterly.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

  • Plan and conduct applied research and produce publications based on this research that meet the highest standards of social science and that advance AIER’s mission and strategies within our Priority Focus Area of Economics and Economic Freedom. This is understood to include white papers, explainers, op-eds, scholarly articles, and other outputs as they fit AIER’s mission, strategies, and tactics
  • Synthesize research findings for AIER members and audiences in print and online publications
  • Regularly review and analyze the economic, social, political, and financial news, as well as current scholarly research developments, within the broader scope of the Institute’s intellectual mission and that advance AIER’s mission and strategies
  • Prepare and deliver speeches and presentations in a variety of settings, including educational and public venues, that advance economic understanding and the classical liberal and free market worldview (especially on subjects within our Priority Focus Areas)
  • Engage in outreach and communication activities such as media interviews, op-ed pieces, podcasts, and other online content on the subjects that advance AIER’s mission and strategies (especially on subjects within our Priority Focus Areas)
  • Work collaboratively with Research team members and others in the organization, including:
    • Attending required meetings and events (including our required our All-Staff weeks at AIER HQ),
    • Providing timely responses to communications (for example, email, Slack, etc.)
    • Following all procedures and policies (for example, providing travel and conference requests, alerting all relevant colleagues and supervisors of upcoming travel, working through our review processes, etc.)
  • Support our internship program and other educational offerings as needed

Qualifications and Skills

  • 3-7+ years of professional experience in business, economics, finance, political science, or another related field; a relevant master’s degree is preferred but not required
  • High level of knowledge related to the classical liberal tradition, or advanced level of knowledge related to economic freedom more narrowly
  • Experience in designing and conducting social science research
  • Experience in conducting quantitative and qualitative research
  • Knowledge of at least one statistical software package
  • Excellent written and oral communication with the ability to engage with and persuasively present to a variety of audiences
  • Intellectual curiosity
  • Ability to self-manage and engage in intellectual entrepreneurship
  • Flexibility/agility to shift focus across Priority Focus Area topics
  • Desire for continual improvement
  • A spirit of productive collaboration
  • Ability to travel when necessary; approximately 10%
  • Student program experience a plus, but not required

FLSA Status: Exempt

How to Apply:

Qualified candidates should submit the following application materials (in order) in one PDF document:

  • Cover letter including:
      • An introductory paragraph(s) describing three distinct reasons you are drawn to AIER’s mission and how you came to those beliefs. Be sure to include at least one specific issue or policy area that resonates with you.
    • Salary requirements
  • Resume

Applications should be submitted to Talent Market via this link: talentmarket.org/apply-for-your-dream-job/.

Questions can be directed to Katy Gambella, Director of Outreach at Talent Market, who is managing the search process: [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 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.