Research Associate - Legal Studies

The Cato Institute is seeking a Research Associate to support the Legal Studies team with administrative tasks and the implementation of a hybrid public education campaign around jury empowerment.

The Research Associate will support the development and management of a multi-month public outreach campaign featuring extensive use of social media, coordination of different personnel, and occasional travel to Richmond, Virginia. They will assist with planning other strategic initiatives as well. They will assist with annual hiring cycles, as well as with tabling, formatting, and filing of legal documents. Paralegal experience is not required. The ideal candidate is a self-starter, team player, well-organized, and detail-oriented.

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

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.

About Cato

The Cato Institute is a public policy research organization – a think tank – dedicated 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 Cato’s 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, and free markets – turn out to be even more powerful in today’s world of global markets and unprecedented access to information than Jefferson or Madison could have imagined. Social and economic freedom is not just the best policy for a free people; it is an indispensable framework for the future.

The Cato Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Responsibilities

• Support the administrative and organizational needs of the Legal Studies team.
• Administratively manage a public outreach campaign, including social media, community events, and ally coordination.
• Prepare documents for legal filing

Education and Experience

• No prior work experience required.

Skills

• Passion for the intersection of law, government policy, and libertarianism.
• Familiarity with PACER and Lexis is a plus.
• Strong organizational skills and a commitment to accuracy.
• Strong writing skills.
• Strong people and teamwork skills, with demonstrated ability to question assumptions, think independently, and advance new ideas.

To Apply

Please submit the following materials in one PDF file:

• CV/Resume
• Cover Letter/Intro Email.
• Two work samples (original papers, articles, memos, blog posts, etc.).

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

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. This position does not offer visa sponsorship.