About the Independent Institute

The Independent Institute is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, public-policy research and educational organization that shapes ideas into lasting impact through publications, conferences, and effective multi-media programs. Our mission is boldly to advance peaceful, prosperous, and free societies grounded in a commitment to human worth and dignity. Applying independent thinking to issues that matter, we create transformational ideas for today’s most pressing social and economic challenges.

About the Role

Independent Institute is seeking a full-time Research Fellow to perform original and innovative research as Director of the institute’s long-running California Golden Fleece® Awards. This individual will report to the Director of the Center on Entrepreneurial Innovation (COEI), which houses Independent’s Golden Fleece research program.

The California Golden Fleece® Awards comprise a series of in-depth, peer-reviewed reports from the Independent Institute that highlight California state or local government spending programs, agencies, taxes, and regulations that fleece taxpayers, consumers, or businesses. Occasionally, the awards also spotlight a federal program that disproportionately harms Californians.

The California Golden Fleece® Awards shine a spotlight on waste, fraud, and abuse in California government to offer valuable information to the public, enabling them to provide needed oversight and demand meaningful change when governments swindle taxpayers or break the public trust. Each report explains the pathology of government that produces the plundering, then provides a menu of recommendations, from minor tweaks to major reforms that are centered on entrepreneurial problem solving, private property rights, technology, and market-based exchange.

As the director of this initiative, the successful candidate will be tasked with producing timely, innovative, and high-quality reports, as well as implementing a strategy for raising the profile and reach of the California Golden Fleece® Awards program. In addition to the quarterly reports, specific tasks may include media and civic engagement; writing short commentaries, peer-reviewed articles, and scholarly book and journal contributions; as well as collaborating with other scholars and affiliates of COEI.

Time permitting, secondary job responsibilities could include working on other projects related to economic freedom, free markets, and entrepreneurship, as determined in conjunction with the Director of COEI and with emerging Independent Institute research priorities.

The ideal candidate must be highly motivated and able to communicate complex issues to the public and media such that it raises public awareness of our policy solutions and raises the profile of the institute ’s Golden Fleece project. While preference will be given to candidates who are willing to reside in the Sacramento area (preferred) or elsewhere in California, exceptional candidates who want to reside outside of California will also be considered..

Responsibilities

• Select compelling research topics in collaboration with colleagues
• Perform original and innovative research, including literature reviews
• Write four persuasive briefing reports annually, op-ed commentaries supporting each report, and blogs that provide important updates on past Golden Fleece reports and notable victories. Written material must be accessible to the general public and supported by the research findings of subject-area experts
• Participate in media interviews (print, radio, podcast, and television)
• Help create videos and other social media content
• Help curate the Golden Fleece webpage
• Engage in civic and legislative outreach, and participate in conferences, meetings, legislative hearings, and provide legislative testimony
• Issue knowledge will include the full spectrum of public policy issues in California at all levels of government
• Travel such as periodic visits to the Oakland headquarters, Independent Institute-hosted events, and other job-related conferences and meetings (many of which will be in Sacramento)

Qualifications

• An M.A. in economics, political science, political economy, history, or related fields is required. Candidates with a Ph.D. in any of those fields will also be considered, but a doctorate is not required
• 2–4 years of research experience focused on scholarly public policy research with a track record of publications and accomplishments is preferred
• Ability to understand research publications that apply statistical/econometric analysis
• Excellent oral and written communication skills. We seek a clear and concise communication style, and the ability to write for both scholarly and popular audiences
• Capable of persuasively communicating complex issues to the public and media
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite
• Aligned with Independent Institute’s mission
• Willing to travel up to 20% of the year

Compensation and Benefits

The estimated salary range for the role is between $75,000–$95,000 annually, contingent upon the specific skills and experience of the selected candidate.

Other benefits include:

• 401(k) plan
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid holidays
• Flexible PTO

How to Apply

Qualified candidates should submit the following application materials (in order) in one PDF document:

• Cover letter describing your interest in the position, alignment with the mission of Independent Institute, location preferences, experience, and salary requirements
• Résumé
• Three sole-authored publications (please include longform and shortform samples)

Applications should be submitted to Talent Market via this link: talentmarket.org/apply-for-your-dream-job/

Questions can be directed to Savannah Rupp, Project Manager at Talent Market, who is managing the search: [email protected].

There is no application deadline for this position. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. This job will remain posted on our site until it is filled.

While we thank all applicants in advance for their interest in this position, we are only able to contact those to whom we can offer an interview. Only direct applications will be considered. No phone calls, please.

Talent Market is a nonprofit entity dedicated to promoting liberty by helping free-market nonprofits identify talent for critical roles. We provide consulting and recruiting services at no cost to 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations that clearly and directly focus on advancing the principles of economic freedom, free enterprise, free trade, free speech, property rights, rule of law, and limited regulation.