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.
- Manipulating and analyzing large datasets with both descriptive and inferential statistics, as well as drafting and managing surveys.
- 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 alegislative, executive, or regulatory role, orthrough 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
To apply, please submit a resume, a writing sample, and a cover letter detailing why you are interested in working at IJ. We are currently accepting applications on a rolling basis.
More about the Institute for Justice's SR Team:IJ's Strategic Research team creates social science and policy research, but our studies don't just sit on a library shelf collecting dust. We put our researchto workby combining it with IJ's unique brand of cutting-edge litigation, award-winning communications and top-notch activism and legislative outreach. Our studies have been cited by theWhite Houseand theU.S. SupremeCourt, as well asleadingnewsoutletsnationwide. They have been published in leading peer-reviewed journals. Our work helped certify a victorious class action lawsuit against Philadelphia'scivil forfeiture machine, ensure the return of cashwrongfully seizedby the IRS, roll backneedless occupational licensing, dismantle speech-squelchingcampaign finance laws, and protect programs that empowerparents to choosethe best schools for their children.
#LI-Hybrid
To learn more about our culture and benefits, visit our Working at IJ page. No phone calls please.
#LI-Hybrid
