Research Intern - Project on Public Opinion

To be considered for this role, you must apply directly through our online application. 

About the Role

This paid, in-person internship in Washington, DC (25–40 hours per week over 12 weeks) joins Cato’s Project on Public Opinion, working with Emily Ekins (Vice President and Director of Polling).

You’ll help design, field, and analyze national surveys; turn results into clear memos, briefs, and reports; and help maintain a daily poll tracker—translating polling data into usable insights for scholars, media, and policymakers.

Responsibilities

• Assist with designing national public opinion surveys on diverse topics such as free speech, financial regulation, welfare, health care, criminal justice reform, and more.
• Provide supporting research and fact-checking for scholars’ research papers, op-eds, and blog posts.
• Assist with editing, formatting, and citing public opinion survey reports, opinion briefs, op-eds, and blog posts.
• Write concise memos analyzing public opinion data on various topics as needed for presentations, reports, media appearances, and more.
• Assist in managing a daily national survey poll tracker.
• Create social media content and shareable graphics.

Qualifications

• Strong interest in—and working familiarity with—US public opinion, elections/politics, and polling/survey methods.
• Demonstrable quantitative and qualitative research skills.
• Solid background in statistics and mathematics; careful interpretation of results.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and ability to create clear, source-labeled charts/graphics.
• Strong editing and fact-checking with keen attention to detail.
• Problem-solver and self-starter; familiarity with survey design concepts (question wording, sampling, weighting) is a plus.

The Cato Internship Program

Cato’s paid internships are available for undergraduates, recent graduates, graduate students, law students, and early-career professionals who are strongly committed to individual liberty, limited government, free markets, and peace—principles that together form libertarianism, also known as “classical liberalism,” “market liberalism,” or, to many of our international friends, simply “liberalism.” 

All Cato interns participate in the same intensive seminar series, which covers a wide range of history, philosophy, policy, and professional development topics. Interns also assist with events and occasionally support Cato staff with other daily tasks. 

Interns receive competitive pay. Part-time roles are adjusted accordingly and require a minimum of 25 hours per week. Program participants must be able to attend in person in Washington, DC.

For more information about the internship program and experience, we encourage you to explore our website. If you have any questions, email studentprograms@cato.org.