KAP 2027-2028 - Education Policy Research Fellow - Show-Me Institute

The Koch Associate Program (KAP) is a career accelerator for early to mid-career professionals with a drive to tackle our country’s most pressing challenges in more effective, principled ways. KAP equips associates with the tools, mindsets, and community to succeed as social entrepreneurs—individuals excited to find new and better ways to break barriers and eliminate injustice. Associates spend one day each week engaging in experiential learning with Stand Together Fellowships and work at one of our many partner organizations the rest of the week. Our curriculum is designed to supercharge your development and equip you for long-term success as you seek to have an impact on the problems that prevent people from realizing their potential.

About the Show-Me Institute
The Show-Me Institute (SMI) is a nonpartisan think tank in Missouri dedicated to advancing free markets and individual liberty. SMI seeks an Education Policy Research Fellow to design and execute rigorous research projects that further the Institute’s mission and policy objectives.

The Fellow’s research will focus on education policy, including:

Charter schools and school choice
Teacher labor markets
School accountability
School finance
School effectiveness, particularly in early literacy and numeracy
Other education policy issues relevant to SMI’s mission

Position Responsibilities
The Education Policy Research Fellow’s primary responsibility is to conduct high-quality, policy-relevant research for publication and dissemination by SMI. The Fellow will work under the direction of the Director of Education Policy to conduct research and communicate findings to policymakers, stakeholders, and the public.

In addition to producing original research, the Fellow may:

Write commentaries, op-eds, news releases, and other publications that extend the reach and impact of SMI’s education research
Present research findings to public and professional audiences
Provide legislative testimony and objective research to legislators and other public officials in Missouri to inform policy discussions and decision-making
Work with SMI’s development team to identify and secure financial support for the Fellow’s research projects

Qualifications
Candidates must have a master’s degree or PhD in economics, education, political science, public policy, or a related field.

Preferred qualifications include:

Proficiency with Stata, R, Python, or a comparable statistical software package
Training in statistics, econometrics, or quantitative research methods
Strong research, analytical, and written communication skills
Applicants must submit a writing sample that was not generated by artificial intelligence as part of the application package. The format and style of the writing sample is at the discretion of the candidate.

Compensation, Start Date, and Position Details
The Show-Me Institute will begin reviewing applications immediately. The start date is flexible contingent upon the successful candidate’s availability.
The expected salary range is $80,000–$105,000 annually, with compensation and benefits commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Location and Work Arrangement
This is primarily an in-person position based in St. Louis, Missouri. A hybrid work arrangement may be available, allowing the Education Policy Research Fellow to divide time between the SMI office and working remotely. However, regular in-person attendance at the SMI office will be required.

About Stand Together Fellowships
Learn more about Stand Together Fellowships.

Stand Together Fellowships believes that diversity in experiences, perspectives, knowledge and ideas fuels creativity, broadens knowledge, and helps drive success. Our admissions office treats all program participants and applicants with honesty, dignity, respect and sensitivity. We welcome all qualified applicants regardless of color, race, religion, religious creed, sex, gender or gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, national origin, citizenship, ethnicity, ancestry, age, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy (including medical needs which may arise from pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), military and veteran status, genetic information, marital or familial status, political affiliation, or any other legally recognized protected basis under federal, state or local laws, regulations or ordinances.