Research Associate for Budget and Entitlement Policy

About the role

The Cato Institute is seeking a Research Associate to support the Director of Budget and Entitlement Policy with research and related administrative tasks.

Responsibilities

• Support the research of the Budget and Entitlement Policy team.
• Support the administrative and organizational needs of the Budget and Entitlement Policy team.
• Produce the weekly Debt Digest, including synthesizing fiscal developments, analyzing budget data, and drafting concise summaries for publication, and similar newsletter features.

Education and Experience

• A bachelor’s degree in economics or political science.
• No prior work experience required.

Skills

• Passion for the intersection of economics, government policy, and libertarianism.
• Familiarity with basic economic and budgeting concepts.
• Empirical skills and familiarity with R, STATA, Excel, and other statistical programs are a plus.
• Strong organizational skills and a commitment to accuracy.
• Strong writing skills.
• Intellectual curiosity and demonstrated ability to question assumptions, think independently, and advance new ideas.

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

Pay

The projected salary range for this role is $57,000 – $62,000 per year. Compensation is based on the successful candidate's educational background, experience, and skills.

Schedule

This position could be hybrid, fully remote, or at Cato’s office.