Application Guide

How to Apply for Fellow, Technology and Innovation

at R Street Institute

🏢 About R Street Institute

R Street Institute stands out as a free-market think tank committed to pragmatic, evidence-based solutions that foster innovation and individual liberty. Unlike partisan organizations, R Street emphasizes deep scholarship and limited, effective government, making it an ideal place for researchers who value intellectual rigor and practical impact.

About This Role

As a Fellow in Technology and Innovation, you will drive policy research on cutting-edge issues like cybersecurity, AI governance, and post-quantum cryptography. Your work will directly shape public policy by producing issue briefs, blog posts, and testimony that influence lawmakers and industry leaders.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might start with scanning tech policy news and drafting a quick blog post on a breaking cybersecurity incident. Mid-morning, you’d collaborate with colleagues on a policy paper about AI safety, then spend the afternoon conducting research on post-quantum cryptography and outlining an issue brief. You’d end the day by reviewing comments from team members and updating your project tracker.

🚀 Application Tools

Generate Cover Letter

AI-powered, tailored for R Street Institute

Interview Prep

Practice questions for this role

🎯 Who R Street Institute Is Looking For

  • Proven ability to produce high-quality written research (e.g., policy papers, op-eds, or technical reports) on technology policy topics.
  • Deep understanding of cybersecurity, AI safety, or cryptography, with ability to translate complex technical concepts for policy audiences.
  • Self-starter who can manage multiple projects and meet tight deadlines in a remote environment.
  • Collaborative mindset, comfortable working with cross-disciplinary teams and providing timely analysis of breaking tech policy developments.

📝 Tips for Applying to R Street Institute

1

Tailor your resume to highlight specific policy research or writing experience (e.g., issue briefs, testimony) rather than just academic credentials.

2

Submit a writing sample that demonstrates your ability to analyze a tech policy issue (e.g., data protection or AI regulation) with a free-market, limited-government perspective.

3

In your cover letter, explicitly connect your past work to R Street’s mission of pragmatic, real solutions—avoid generic praise of think tanks.

4

Mention any experience with post-quantum cryptography or critical infrastructure security, as these are niche areas they value.

5

Since the role is remote, emphasize your ability to work independently and communicate effectively across time zones in your application.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Highlight your proven record of achieving results in technology policy, with specific examples of how your research influenced policy or public debate.', 'Emphasize your alignment with R Street’s free-market approach to innovation and limited government, and your ability to produce non-partisan, evidence-based analysis.', 'Showcase your writing skills by linking to published pieces on cybersecurity, AI, or related topics, and explain how your work would contribute to R Street’s portfolio.', 'Demonstrate your ability to collaborate across teams by describing past experience working with diverse stakeholders (e.g., academics, industry, policymakers).']

Generate Cover Letter →

🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Review R Street’s recent publications on technology policy (e.g., their blog posts on AI governance or data privacy) to understand their tone and style.
  • → Familiarize yourself with their free-market principles and how they apply to issues like net neutrality, encryption, or antitrust in tech.
  • → Research key staff members in the Technology and Innovation team, their backgrounds, and recent work to tailor your conversation.
  • → Study R Street’s stance on post-quantum cryptography and critical infrastructure—check if they have any position papers or commentary.
Visit R Street Institute's Website →

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How would you approach a policy brief on post-quantum cryptography for a non-technical audience? What key points would you emphasize?
2 Given R Street’s free-market stance, how do you balance promoting innovation with regulating AI safety?
3 Describe a time you had to manage competing priorities on a tight deadline. How did you ensure quality?
4 What is your understanding of critical infrastructure security in the US? Which sectors do you think are most vulnerable?
5 How do you stay updated on breaking tech policy developments, and how would you provide timely analysis in this role?
Practice Interview Questions →

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Submitting a generic cover letter that doesn’t reference R Street’s specific mission or recent work—they value tailored applications.
  • Focusing too much on academic credentials rather than demonstrated results (e.g., policy impact, publications).
  • Ignoring the remote nature of the role—failing to mention how you’ll stay productive and communicate with a distributed team.

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to R Street Institute!

← Back to Job Listing Apply Now →