Research Associate Foreign and Defense Policy

The Cato Institute is seeking a Research Associate to join the Institutes Defense and Foreign Policy Studies (DFP) department. Catos foreign and defense policies are guided by the view that the United States is relatively secure and so should engage the world, but avoid trying to dominate it militarily. The United States should be an example of democracy and individual rights, not its armed vindicator abroad. Although that is a minority view in Washington, DC, today, it has a rich history, from George Washington to Cold War realists like George Kennan. Cato scholars aim to restore it. A principled and restrained foreign policy would keep the nation out of most foreign conflicts and be cheaper, more ethical, and less destructive of civil liberties.

This is a hybrid position in Washington, DC. Employees are required to be in the office on Thursdays and Fridays, in addition to any other days they choose to come in.

The starting salary for the Research Associate position is $52,000.

About Cato

The Cato Institute is a public policy research organizationa think tankdedicated 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 Catos 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 Catos research to this day.

The Cato Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Responsibilities

• Support the research of the scholars of the foreign and defense team
• Read and summarize scholarly work and news articles
• Summarize public speeches and other presentations
• Conduct historical research
• Help run the departments social media accounts
• Support the administrative and organizational needs of the foreign and defense team.

Education and Experience

• A masters degree in political science, international relations, or history is preferred, but extraordinary candidates with lesser qualifications will be considered and are encouraged to apply.
• Applicants should have a passionate interest in US foreign policy, ideally with the desire to become foreign-policy scholars themselves.
• An understanding of and interest in Catos mission.

Skills

• Candidates should have strong reading, writing, and editing skills, with the ability to reduce large and complex texts to dense summaries.
• Strong organizational skills, including the ability to work on multiple tasks both independently and as part of a team on a time-sensitive basis.
• Strong verbal communication and the ability to present work publicly in front of groups.
• A commitment to accuracy and precision.

How to Apply

Please submit the following materials:

• CV/Resume
• Cover letter

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