Vacancies

The CPS is one of the UK’s oldest and most influential leading free-market think-tanks, founded in 1974 by Margaret Thatcher and Sir Keith Joseph. The Centre exists to promote the principles of free markets and a free society. It also operates the CapX website, which acts as a platform for the best thinking on politics and economics.

Researcher

The Centre for Policy Studies is looking to hire a new researcher to assist with ongoing projects and develop their own area of expertise. Applicants should be outstanding researchers and writers, able to analyse ideas and evidence, think in numbers, construct compelling arguments, and communicate arguments clearly and effectively.
This role would be suited to a recent graduate or a someone with up to two years of research experience in policy, journalism or business.
The successful candidate’s responsibilities will include:
– Conducting detailed policy research, both to support other members of the CPS research 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 and housing
– Helping to ensure the smooth running of the CPS as a whole, including by assisting with the organization of events
– Writing articles for CapX, and for other major news outlets, in order to communicate CPS policies and ideas
Essential:

– Experience of conducting lengthy research projects, individually and as part of a team
– The ability to write concisely and accurately about complex policy ideas, often to challenging deadlines
– Commitment to CPS principles and values

Desirable:
– A track record of published policy articles or reports
– Experience conducting data analysis using Microsoft Excel
– Experience communicating ideas to the public, for example through public speaking, chairing panels or broadcast media
Application Details:

Applications close on 25 March but we may appoint before the deadline.

Please email your application to: [email protected]

Please ensure that your CV is no longer than two pages and your cover letter no longer than one page, and that you state your availability in your cover letter. You should also provide 500 words on one policy you think should be included in a 2024 general election manifesto.

Internships

We are always on the lookout for talented young people with a clear affinity for our values and aims, and who show a genuine interest in our core policy areas. We therefore welcome internship applications from university students, gap year students and recent graduates on a running basis.

If you are interested in interning at the CPS, please email your application to: [email protected]

Please ensure that your CV is no longer than two pages and that you state your availability in your cover letter. You should also provide 600-800 words in answer to one of the following questions:

  1. How can tax reform boost economic growth?
  2. Is an ageing population the UK’s most intractable policy challenge?
  3. What can the government do to fix Britain’s housing market?

We pay successful applicants according to national minimum wage rates and we would ideally like you to spend between four and twelve weeks with us.

The goal of this internship is for you to gain an understanding of the workings of a think tank while developing and expanding your skill set; and for us to benefit from your diligence and enthusiasm in completing a variety of tasks.

Your responsibilities may include: assisting on research papers, collating and analysing data, contributing articles to CapX, helping out at events and assisting the operations team.

Our internship programme is highly competitive and we receive a high volume of applications. We regret that we are therefore unable to respond to unsuccessful candidates.