Blueprint Institute is looking for an early- to mid-career professional with 2+ years experience to join our team as a Senior Economist.

The ideal candidate will have advanced economics training (at the Honours or Masters level), experience in economics or public policy, and a commitment to policy outcomes. Professional experience working in a policy setting (e.g., a policy research institute, the public service, or consulting to the public sector) is desirable. As an example, we could envisage hiring a high performer who has worked at Treasury for a couple of years, and is keen for a change of scene. But we are open to those with alternative experience.

We are particularly interested in candidates with the following attributes, which are critical to our identity:

• Creativity
• Policy vision
• Capacity to lead
• Attention to detail

The successful applicant will be a leader in the research team and shape our research strategy alongside our executive. They will coordinate the activities of talented research staff to shake up the analysis and development of public policy in Australia. As a new think tank, we have a growing set of research interests, with the successful applicant playing a central role in our future agenda. In 2021, our work will focus on:

• Climate and energy policy
• Early learning reform
• Tax and fiscal reform

Benefits of this role

Blueprint Institute is a dynamic and non-hierarchical environment. Every piece of research is approached with creativity and attention to detail. We question our assumptions and seek novel perspectives on complex policy questions. The small nature of our team means that a successful candidate will be part of our senior leadership group, shaping the Institute’s research agenda.

The candidate would also have numerous opportunities to represent the Institute by speaking to both the media and the public about our analysis and reports, as well as consulting with policy makers and key stakeholders.

About Blueprint Institute

High-quality policy research is at the heart of everything we do. We are also a start-up—we aim to disrupt the think tank landscape in Australia by providing novel insights to Ministers, MPs, and thought leaders.

Compensation and working hours

Compensation will be in the range of $120-150k per annum plus superannuation. Compensation will be finalised based on the experience and skills of the successful candidate. 

We are highly flexible on working hours and location. A number of staff, including members of the executive, work part time. We are happy to accommodate the needs of a successful candidate.

Blueprint Institute’s home base is Sydney, but we have various staff in Brisbane and elsewhere. We are open to considering candidates in other locations.

We encourage applicants to browse Blueprint Institute’s website for further information about our values and to see our recent work. Applicants do not have to agree with everything we stand for. Critical, independent thinkers are welcome at Blueprint Institute.

Blueprint Institute is an equal opportunity employer and applicants from diverse backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply.

If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact Daniel D’Hotman, Director of Research & Operations at Blueprint Institute. Daniel’s email is: [email protected] using the subject line: Senior Economist enquiry via EthicalJobs.