Research Associate – Trade Policy

SupportFinity™; Washington; Hybrid; USD 52,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Health Savings Account (HSA)

Generous vacation and sick days

Paid parental leave

Life and disability insurance

401(k) employer match

Transit/ Parking benefits

Pet discount plan

Job summary

The Cato Institute seeks a full-time Research Associate to support scholars in the Herbert A. Stiefel Center for Trade Policy Studies. You will conduct research, analyze data, draft policy analyses, and help edit and review outputs. You may co-author pieces and assist with events and communications in Washington, DC.

The role combines research responsibilities with administrative tasks and offers mentorship and exposure to senior staff and guest lecturers in policy circles.

Qualifications

• Degree in economics, statistics, political science, or data science is required.
• Proficiency with Excel is required; Stata/R desirable.
• Evidence of good writing skills with published pieces preferred.
• No prior work experience required; flexible for entry level.

Responsibilities

• Support the research of scholars at Cato’s Center for Trade Policy Studies.
• Conduct general research and data analysis.
• Draft short- and long-form research products using original findings and peer‑reviewed research.
• Edit, fact-check, and review research products.
• Occasionally co-author blog posts and policy analyses.
• Manage the center’s social media accounts and newsletters.
• Assist with administrative tasks and cross‑department collaboration.
• Attend meetings and support events in Washington, DC.

Skills

Organizational skills

Writing and editing

Economics data experience

Trade policy knowledge

Strong communication

Education

Degree in economics, statistics, political science, or data science

Tools

Excel

Stata

R

Job description

Description

The Cato Institute seeks qualified candidates for a full-time research associate to support scholars at Cato’s Herbert A. Stiefel Center for Trade Policy Studies. The research associate will provide direct research, analytical, and writing support on trade and related issues, including, but not limited to, international trade law and agreements, US trade barriers, subsidies and industrial policy, supply chains, and the intersection of trade and national security. This position will help produce original policy analysis in multiple formats, including working papers, blog posts, op‑eds, policy analyses, and books. The research associate will be an integral part of the center’s workflow, assisting with new research, editing content, managing events, running social media accounts, and undertaking specific administrative tasks. The successful candidate will be an entrepreneurial self‑starter, on the lookout for good research ideas and hooks to promote Cato’s work, and will have the opportunity to co‑author pieces. This role is available through our two‑year Research Associate program, in which participants have the opportunity to learn from senior Cato staff and guest lecturers across academia and the policy community. With ample opportunities to attend educational sessions, network with peers and scholars, and gain mentorship from some of the nation’s foremost public policy scholars, Cato research associates can excel as leaders in policy, academia, government, business, and beyond.

Job Type

Full‑time

Location

This is a hybrid position in Washington, DC.

Compensation

The projected salary range for this role is $52,000 – $60,000 per year. Compensation is based on the successful candidate's educational background, experience, and skills.

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 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, free markets, and peace – animate Cato’s research to this day.

The Cato Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Responsibilities

• Support the research of scholars at Cato’s Center for Trade Policy Studies, as needed.
• Conduct general research and data analysis.
• Help draft short- and long‑form research products using original findings and peer‑reviewed academic research.
• Edit, fact‑check, and/or review various research products.
• Occasionally co‑author blog posts, policy analyses, working papers, peer‑reviewed academic papers, and other empirical work.
• Manage the center’s social media accounts and email newsletters.
• Support the team’s administrative and organizational needs and collaborate with other Cato departments as needed.
• Occasionally attend meetings, briefings, and other events in Washington, DC, and support scholars and other Cato Institute staff in promoting Cato’s work and message.

Education / Experience

• Degree in economics, statistics, political science, or data science required.
• Proficiency with Excel required, and experience with Stata/R desirable.
• Evidence of good writing skills, with published blog posts or op‑edss preferred.
• No prior work experience required.
• An understanding of and commitment to Cato’s libertarian values.

Skills

• Strong organizational skills, including the ability to work on multiple tasks both independently and as part of a collaborative team on a time‑sensitive basis.
• Strong writing and editing skills and a strong commitment to accuracy.
• Experience and comfort in using economic data. Prior experience working with trade data published by the US government and international organizations is a plus.
• Ability and willingness to challenge and question ideas.
• Familiarity with basic trade and economic policies and concepts.

Benefits

• 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

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full‑time basis. This position does not offer visa sponsorship.