The Centre for Policy Studies, one of the UK’s leading centre-right think tanks, is looking to hire a new researcher or research assistant.

Applicants should be outstanding researchers and writers, able to analyse ideas and evidence, construct compelling arguments, and communicate them clearly and effectively.

The researcher / research assistant’s responsibilities would include:

- Conducting detailed policy research, both to support other members of the CPS team, and to advance their own projects.
- Drafting or contributing to policy briefings, articles, and research papers on a variety of topics – including core CPS issues such as tax, business, welfare, housing, and the environment.
- Helping to ensure the smooth running of the CPS as a whole, including by assisting with the organization of events, as well as other administrative tasks.

Although it is envisaged that this would start as a relatively junior role, the CPS is always keen that its research staff develop their own expertise and take on additional responsibility.

In time, a new researcher / research assistant could find themselves organizing or speaking at policy events, developing policy reform proposals in their own name, writing op-eds, and attending important meetings with policymakers.

A successful candidate will:

- Be committed to the free-market, classical liberal or conservative principles that underlie the Centre for Policy Studies’ work.
- Be highly self-motivated and able to work independently without constant supervision.
- Have excellent written and oral communication skills and be able to explain complex policy ideas clearly and succinctly.
- Have or be able to quickly acquire a good working knowledge of domestic and economic policy in the UK, as well as Westminster politics.
- Have solid numerical and data skills and be able to use MS Excel effectively. (More advanced data analysis capability is not required but could be an advantage.)

This will initially be a virtual role and therefore suitable for remote working. However, the CPS expects to return to its Westminster office at some stage in 2021, and so applicants should be prepared to base themselves in London once the Covid-19 pandemic is safely under control.