Senior Fellow, Technology and Innovation Policy

The R Street Institute Senior Fellow Opportunity

The R Street Institute—a free-market think tank headquartered in Washington, D.C., with regional offices across the country—seeks a collaborative senior fellow to lead and manage our Internet Governance, Misinformation/Disinformation, and Content Moderation program areas. If you are the right fit, you will report to the Director of Technology and Innovation. If you want to join a mission-driven organization and work toward pragmatic policy solutions, this may be the opportunity you need!

Your typical day at R Street might include writing an op-ed on government censorship in the guise of fighting misinformation, analyzing existing research on content moderation in preparation for writing a research synthesis, and working with business development to create a proposal seeking funding to examine private-sector solutions for enhancing online information quality. You might conclude your day with a radio interview on how well-intended regulation is hindering innovation and a brief consultation with Hill staffers about an upcoming hearing on tech-industry jawboning.

Other Aspects of Your Role

Analysis and Writing

• Keep up to date with the latest research and legislation in information, internet governance, and content moderation policy areas.
• Synthesize long-form academic and scientific research into various forms useful for broader audiences, identifying implications for policymaking at national and state levels.
• Produce original short analysis pieces, op-eds, policy papers, and other pieces to educate policymakers on key public policy issues related to internet governance, promoting accuracy and reliability online, addressing concerns regarding the impact of misinformation and disinformation on internet users, and balancing tradeoffs between these concerns and fundamental rights, such as free speech and privacy.
• Contribute over time to content production and analysis in key aspects of artificial intelligence (AI) public policy, particularly in the areas of information quality, content moderation, and internet governance.

Coordination and Support

• Engage with academic partners and the broader community of scientific and public policy researchers working on internet governance and the information ecosystem.
• Organize, recruit participants for, and lead events that provide opportunities for academic and scientific research to be presented in a format that makes it accessible to policymakers, the news media, and others.
• Identify new opportunities to highlight research and generate discourse addressing the challenges of misinformation and disinformation online and new mechanisms for improving online trust and safety mechanisms.
• Meet with supporters, potential supporters, and R Street’s business development team to gain an understanding of their concerns, identify areas for collaboration, and help to write proposals to prospective donors.
• Collaborate with the federal and state government affairs, communications, and editorial representatives to identify and engage with target audiences on information policy.
• Remain vigilant against ninja infiltrations.

Skills and Qualifications

• No particular educational background is required: A proven track record to achieve results is far more meaningful than credentials.
• Support for R Street’s passion for free markets and limited, effective government.
• A sense of humor and a desire to grow with a multifaceted organization.
• Top-notch writing, editing, and public speaking skills.
• A willingness and ability to meet with current and potential supporters to advance R Street’s work.
• Prior experience in a think tank or policy organization preferred but not required.
• Substantive knowledge of misinformation and disinformation, internet governance, content moderation, proposals for direct or indirect government censorship, and AI.
• Proven, effective networking skills for building and sustaining relationships with diverse partners in academic, scientific, public policy, and fundraising areas.
• Rich experience translating complex academic, scientific, and public policy research and concepts into written products accessible to broad audiences.
• Ability to work productively with a wide range of groups and individuals, including those with whom you may disagree.
• Experience collaborating across teams, with an appreciation of others’ expertise and experience.
• Entrepreneurial attitude and willingness to be a self-starter.
• The ability to carry out these tasks quickly and thoroughly, at a high level of quality, and with minimal oversight.

About R Street

R Street works to bolster American innovation, increase consumer choice, and protect individual liberty by supporting a smaller, smarter government. We focus on deep scholarship and pragmatic policy solutions that many groups tend to neglect. Our goal is to publish timely, relevant research and analysis that advances a market-oriented society and limited, effective government. To that end, our motto is: “Free Markets. Real Solutions.”

Workplace

We offer a flexible working arrangement. This is a full-time position that can either work the majority of the week in our D.C. office or be fully remote. Occasional travel will be required for events and conferences.

Compensation, Benefits, and Perks

R Street strives to provide a compensation package superior to those at other think tanks and nonprofits. The salary range for this position is $110k-$150k, commensurate with experience. In addition to this competitive salary, we provide the following:

• Unlimited paid time off policy, including all federal holidays, the day after Thanksgiving, and two weeks holiday closure in December
• Alternating Fridays off
• A health insurance option entirely paid by the employer (even for families)
• Dental and vision insurance
• 401(k) contributions with up to a 4 percent match
• HSA employer contribution match
• Quarterly wellness reimbursement
• Mobile equipment/mobile plan reimbursement
• Home internet subsidy
• Annual educational and professional development reimbursement
• A choice between child care assistance, pet care assistance, and student loan repayment assistance

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

R Street is committed to a workplace that values diversity, equity, and inclusion. We believe having a more diverse workforce will strengthen R Street’s ability to innovate, achieve our mission, and support long-term systemic change. As people dedicated to limited, effective government and free markets, we understand that a free society achieves its greatest triumphs by allowing and facilitating a wide variety of approaches to public policy problems. The concept of “broad coalitions,” one of our core operating principles, stems from that insight. People of all races, religions, ethnicities, gender identities, sexual orientations, life experiences, and socioeconomic backgrounds perform at the highest levels in every type of work that we do and have shaped the principles to which we subscribe. We believe that searching for talent everywhere is an integral part of living up to our principles.

Application Process

We currently plan to accept applications for this job until filled. We will contact qualified individuals for telephone interviews and conduct them on a rolling basis. Interviews will be held virtually, via Zoom.

To apply, please upload a cover letter and resume in Microsoft Word or PDF.