The Cato Institute seeks a full-time Executive Power Scholar to: 1) conduct original research on the rise, uses, and abuses of executive authority in the United States; and 2) develop reform ideas and proposals in order to reduce presidential and executive branch power back to its proper constitutional limits, in order to restore the separation of powers envisioned by the founders. This position will advance Cato’s mission by producing rigorous scholarship that analyzes constitutional structure, unilateral presidential action, administrative growth, and the separation of powers from a libertarian perspective, emphasizing limited government, individual liberty, and the rule of law. 

The projected salary range for this role is $110,000 – $150,000 per year. Compensation is based on the successful candidate's 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 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 free people; it is the indispensable framework for the future.

Cato Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Responsibilities 

• Lead an independent research agenda focused on reducing executive power to its proper constitutional limits, including executive orders, emergency powers, administrative agencies, statutory delegations, and more.
• Produce studies, original research, op-eds, blog posts, social media content, and academic papers or law review articles on executive power from the perspective of constitutional law, constitutional history, administrative law, or executive orders and executive branch legal interpretation.
• Contribute expert analysis to congressional staff, journalists, conferences, podcasts, and all other forms of media.
• Collaborate with Cato scholars across policy issue areas that affect and are affected by executive power, and engage constructively with other organizations, legal scholars, and policy experts sharing the objective of restoring executive power to its constitutional limits.

Experience and Education

• This position could be filled by a JD, a political scientist, or a scholar from a different field. Requirements will differ depending on the specific field.
• Demonstrated knowledge of and interest in the US Constitution, the proper role of the president in our government, and theories of how to reduce executive power back to its proper role. 
• Demonstrated capacity to translate research for broader and expert audiences.

Qualifications and Skills

• Must have a strong commitment to Cato’s libertarian values.
• Ability to work on multiple tasks independently and as part of a highly collaborative team on a time-sensitive basis.
• A commitment to accuracy and creativity in making innovative arguments for reducing executive power.
• Able to participate in events, including conferences and webinars, when these are effective in supporting the policy objectives outlined above.
• Strong writing and communication skills.
• Comfortable presenting to various audiences in person or virtually.

How to Apply

Applicants must submit the following documents to be considered for the position:

• Cover letter detailing your expertise in executive power, your philosophical  interest in the Cato Institute and libertarianism, and why the position interests you
• Résumé
• Three representative research products or writing samples that must show your skills (research reports, law review articles, working papers, peer-reviewed articles, dissertations, data memos, blog posts, op-eds, etc.)

Benefits

All Cato employees are offered:

• 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