Senior Research Analyst

Primary Responsibilities

• Developing and executing research plans on a wide range of cutting-edge topics, such as civil forfeiture, occupational licensing, qualified immunity, zoning/housing, and 4th Amendment rights.
• Working closely with IJ attorneys and researchers to generate research questions that advance our issues and to identify the strongest methods to answer them.
• Finding datasets or creative ways to build them, as well as managing data collection.
• Mining research literature for new ideas, potential collaborators, and methodological insights.
• Leading both solo and team projects.
• Managing and mentoring junior researchers and assistants to maintain high standards of accuracy, methodological rigor, and integrity.
• Ensuring research findings reach key audiences, such as journalists and lawmakers, to bring important issues to prominence and create policy change.
• Writing clear, accessible reports for general audiences, as well as articles for peer-reviewed journals.
• Conducting media interviews; testifying before legislatures and city councils; writing media materials, such as op-eds and letters to the editor; speaking at public events.
• Strategizing with IJ’s communications, legislative, activism, and research teams to maximize distribution and impact.

Qualifications

• Strong background in research design and statistical analysis, preferably including managing project teams:
• Ph.D. in social sciences or statistics with an emphasis on research methods, applied statistics, or applied economics; or master’s degree in applied statistics or applied economics with three years’ experience.
• Experience conducting original analytical research, such as with a policy institute, in a legislative, executive, or regulatory role, or through a university-based research center.
• Strong skills with statistical software such as Stata; proficiency with Python, R, or GIS is helpful.
• Proficient in using descriptive and inferential analysis to answer research questions.
• Demonstrated ability to generate research ideas, develop research plans, and manage projects to completion.
• Experience with both original data collection (whether through public records requests, web scraping, document review, or other means) and use of datasets from government or non-governmental sources preferred.
• Capable of identifying relevant scholarly and non-scholarly literature to generate research ideas and solve methodological problems.
• Experience managing junior researchers and ensuring accurate and high-quality products.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, especially for non-technical audiences.
• Proven ability to handle multiple projects and meet deadlines.
• Strong problem-solving and critical-thinking skills.
• Self-motivation and enthusiasm for collaboration.
• Passion for IJ’s mission of championing property rights, economic liberty, free speech, and educational choice.

Benefits

• Hybrid work schedule
• Flexible work hours with our core business hours of 10am and 4pm
• Smart casual dress code; casual Fridays
• Health, Dental, and Vision insurance (IJ covers 100% of individual premiums)
• Free Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, and Life insurance plans
• HSA employer contributions
• 401(k) with employer matches
• Generous PTO including a paid personal day and 12 paid holidays