The Cato Institute’s Human Progress project seeks a Research Associate specializing in data mining and management. The ideal candidate will be detail-oriented, reliable, entrepreneurial, and capable of delivering high-quality output with minimum oversight. The ideal candidate will have at least an intermediate understanding of statistics and a basic knowledge of politics and economics (or development economics). He or she will have command of Excel and Python and knowledge of SQL. Familiarity with Vue.js, D3, HTML, and CSS is welcomed but not required.

This role is available through our two-year Research Associate program, where you will have the opportunity to gain experience working with senior Cato staff and guest lecturers across academia and the policy community. With many opportunities to attend these educational sessions, network with peers and scholars, and gain mentorship from some of the nation’s foremost experts, successful candidates will be able to excel as leaders in academia, government, business, and beyond.
 

This is a hybrid position in Washington, DC.

About Cato 

The Cato Institute is a public policy research organization—a think tank. Since its creation in 1977, Cato has advanced 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.
 

Cato owes its name to Cato’s Letters, a series of 18th-century English essays that present a vision of a society free from excessive government power. Those essays inspired the architects of the American Revolution. The timeless principles of that revolution — individual liberty, limited government, and free markets – are even more powerful in today’s world of global markets and widespread access to information. Social and economic freedom is not just the best policy for a free people; it is the indispensable framework for the future.
 

The Cato Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
 

Responsibilities

• Rationalization of the Human Progress database (e.g., deleting duplicate, redundant, and obsolete datasets, standardizing naming conventions and definitions, and ensuring logical categorization).
• Expanding the database (i.e., conducting an ongoing search for new data on Human Progress).
• Regular database updates and improvements to the data upload process through the creation and maintenance of data scrubbers or cleaning tools.
• Regular, proactive identification and amelioration of any database bugs and statistical issues on the Human Progress website as they occur.
• Production of visualizations via our bespoke visualization tool to be shared on social media and occasionally charts for PowerPoint presentations. 
• Help with logistics for events like lectures, panel discussions, and book forums.
• Help in the selection and supervision of interns.

Education/Experience 

• Bachelor’s degree that includes courses in statistics and, ideally, some courses in economics and politics or equivalent work experience in those fields.
• Knowledge of Excel, Python, and, ideally, SQL. 
• Optional: familiarity with Vue.js, D3, HTML, and CSS are welcome.
• Familiarity with major databases tracking different indicators of human well-being across countries (e.g., U.N., World Bank, OECD, etc.).
• A passion for the Cato Institute’s ideals and the Human Progress mission. 

Skills

• High level of curiosity and ability to productively challenge ideas.
• Strong organizational skills, including working on multiple tasks independently and as part of a team on a time-sensitive basis.
• Strong writing and editing skills, keen attention to detail, quality, and accuracy.
• Reliability, a strong work ethic, and a positive, professional mindset.
• Problem-solving initiative and openness to learning new processes and skills.
• Ability to receive and act on direct, constructive feedback.

How to apply

Must submit the following: 

• 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