Research Fellow (CUSMX – Rule of Law)

About the role

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.

Responsibilities

• 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
• 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

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.

Qualifications

• 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-soci