Research Fellow (CUSMX – Rule of Law)

Rice Owls; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 121,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Rice University, through the Claudio X. González Center for the U.S. and Mexico at the Baker Institute, seeks a Research Fellow to develop and lead a research agenda on U.S.-Mexico cooperation, security, and rule-of-law issues in Mexico and their implications for U.S.-Mexico relations.

This on-site role calls for original research and policy-relevant findings that inform government, academia, and industry. The ideal candidate will demonstrate deep expertise in Mexican institutions and can

Qualifications

• Extensive policy-research experience required.
• Ability to translate findings into actionable policy recommendations.
• Strong writing and presentation skills for diverse audiences.

Responsibilities

• Develop and lead an original research agenda on U.S.-Mexico cooperation and rule-of-law issues.
• Produce high-quality research outputs and policy briefs for policymakers, academia, media, and industry.
• Translate complex legal and governance developments into clear public-policy recommendations.

Skills

Policy research

Public policy analysis

Research design

Communication skills

Stakeholder engagement

Analytical thinking

Team collaboration

Education

Master's degree

Job description

The Claudio X. González Center for the U.S. and Mexico at Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy seeks a Research Fellow to develop and lead a research agenda on U.S.-Mexico cooperation, security, and rule-of-law issues in Mexico and their implications for U.S.-Mexico relations. Reporting to the Center Director, the Research Fellow will conduct original, policy-relevant research and translate findings into timely, analytically rigorous recommendations for audiences in government, academia, the private sector, media, and the broader public.

This position is intended for a scholar with deep subject-matter expertise in Mexican institutions and the analytical maturity to connect legal and governance developments to broader questions of security, economic development, democratic accountability, investment climate, bilateral cooperation, and state capacity. The successful candidate will strengthen the Center's intellectual leadership on Mexico by producing high-quality research, contributing to public engagement, and helping convene dialogue across policy and academic communities.

About the Baker Institute

Founded in 1993, Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy is one of the premier nonpartisan public-policy research organizations in the country. As an integral part of Rice University, the Baker Institute has a strong track record of achievement based on the work of its fellows, scholars, and staff. The institute collaborates with experts from academia, government, media, business, and nongovernmental and private organizations.

Ideal Candidate Statement

The ideal candidate will have extensive policy-research experience addressing issues such as:

• Judicial institutions and the administration of justice in Mexico
• Corruption, impunity, and institutional accountability
• Organized crime, public security, and prosecutorial capacity
• Regulatory enforcement, administrative law, and state capacity
• Federalism, subnational governance, and institutional variation
• Rule of law and economic competitiveness, investment, and nearshoring
• Human rights, press freedom, and civic space
• Bilateral legal and institutional cooperation between Mexico and the United States

Workplace Location

This position is exclusively on-site, requiring all duties to be performed in person on campus. Per Rice policy 440, work arrangements may be subject to change.

Hiring Range

$121,000 - $140,000 per year

*Exempt (salaried) positions under FLSA are not eligible for overtime.

Minimum Requirements

• Master's degree
  • In lieu of the education requirement, additional related experience above and beyond what is required may be substituted on an equivalent year-for-year basis.
• 4+ years of relevant research experience
  • In lieu of the experience requirement, additional related education above and beyond what is required may be substituted on an equivalent year-for-year basis.

Skills

• Profound expertise within the field of study
• Advanced mastery and extensive understanding of information, knowledge, and publication management
• Exceptional listening, verbal, written communication, and research skills
• Outstanding problem-solving and critical-thinking abilities, with keen attention to detail
• Ability to collaborate effectively, participate actively, and motivate team members
• Exceptional organizational skills for effective planning and scheduling
• Comfort with and aptitude for making independent decisions

Preferences

• Ph.D., J.D., S.J.D., LL.M., or another equivalent terminal degree in law, political science, public policy, sociology, international affairs, or a closely related field, with a substantial research record
• Demonstrated expertise in Mexican institutions, governance, law, corruption, judicial politics, security, or related rule-of-law topics
• Strong record of research, writing, and publication suitable for a policy institute, university, think tank, legal research center, or similar environment
• Strong Spanish-language proficiency, including the ability to conduct source review and, ideally, professional engagement in Spanish
• Experience engaging policymakers, legal practitioners, media, civil-society organizations, or private-sector stakeholders
• Familiarity with both academic and policy-oriented writing formats
• Experience with comparative or interdisciplinary research linking law, politics, economics, and security
• Established professional networks in Mexico and/or the bilateral policy community
• Experience designing public events, roundtables, or convenings tied to research themes

Essential Functions

• Develop and execute an original research agenda focused on the rule of law in Mexico and its intersections with U.S.-Mexico relations
• Produce high-quality research outputs, including policy briefs, issue briefs, research papers, commentary, white papers, and related publications
• Analyze legal, judicial, institutional, and governance developments in Mexico, including their implications for security, corruption, investment, human rights, regulation, democratic governance, and bilateral cooperation
• Translate complex legal and institutional developments into clear public-policy recommendations for decision-makers and broader audiences
• Contribute to the Center's public profile through writing, speaking engagements, interviews, webinars, conferences, and stakeholder convenings
• Collaborate with Center leadership and other Baker Institute fellows and scholars on interdisciplinary projects
• Engage with academic, legal, policy, civil-society, and governmental stakeholders in the United States and Mexico
• Help identify emerging issues that warrant rapid analysis or public commentary

Additional Functions

• Contribute substantively to grant development, donor-facing research framing, and strategic research planning when appropriate
• Mentor research assistants or junior staff supporting related projects, as needed
• Perform all other duties as assigned

Rice University is committed to ensuring Equal Employment Opportunity and welcoming the fullness of diversity into our candidate pools. Rice considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status. Rice also provides reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. If an applicant requires a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, please get in touch with Rice University's Human Resources Office via email at [e-mail] for support.