KAP 2026-2027 - Economist - The Buckeye Institute

Columbus, Ohio April 14, 2026

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 Buckeye Institute

Founded in 1989, The Buckeye Institute is an independent research and educational institution—a think tank—whose mission is to advance free-market public policy in the states.

The staff at Buckeye accomplish the organization’s mission by performing timely and reliable research on key issues, compiling and synthesizing data, formulating sound free-market policies, and promoting those solutions for implementation in Ohio and replication in states across the country.

The Buckeye Institute is located directly across the street from the Ohio Statehouse on Capitol Square in Columbus, where it assists legislative and executive branch policymakers by providing ideas, research, and data to enable the lawmakers’ effectiveness in advocating free-market public policy solutions.

The Buckeye Institute is a nonpartisan, nonprofit, and tax-exempt organization, as defined by section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue code. As such, it relies on support from individuals, corporations, and foundations that share a commitment to individual liberty, free enterprise, personal responsibility, and limited government. The Buckeye Institute does not seek or accept government funding.

About the Role

The Buckeye Institute is seeking to hire a regular full-time economist to work in-person and onsite in Columbus, Ohio.

The economist will engage in significant research, modeling, policy-related writing, and education. The economist reports to the Economic Research Center’s executive director and will collaborate with Buckeye staff in developing free-market solutions for a diverse range of public policy issues, including but not limited to fiscal (tax and budget), energy, regulatory, education, and health care policy.

About The Buckeye Institute

Founded in 1989, The Buckeye Institute is an independent research and educational institution—a think tank—whose mission is to advance free-market public policy in the states.

About the Role

The Buckeye Institute is seeking to hire a regular full-time economist to work in-person and onsite in Columbus, Ohio.

To Apply

Please apply here and submit a cover letter explaining why you are interested in this position at The Buckeye Institute. If selected for an interview, we will also request the following items:

A writing sample of not more than 10 pages, salary requirements, and two to three references of people who have overseen your past professional work or academic research.

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.

Job Duties:

Evaluate the potential economic impact of public policy proposals at the state level, examples include changes in tax law and energy prices;

Write original, rigorously-researched, academic quality papers for publication;

Effectively communicate—verbally and in writing—the effects of policy changes, including testifying before state legislatures to support Buckeye’s research (traveling as needed) and conducting media interviews;

Explain complex statistical and economic issues to both a lay audience and legislators;

Develop and promote free-market policy ideas; and

Work with the Economic Research Center’s executive director to achieve all of Buckeye’s objectives.

Requirements:

Proficiency in a statistical programming language (STATA, R, and MATLAB preferred);

A Ph.D. in economics (or similar degree with an understanding of econometrics);

Initiative to start and complete work projects thoroughly and on-time;

Ability to work independently and with a team;

Demonstrated commitment to free-market principles;

Excellent communication skills (in writing and public speaking);

Ability to conduct quantitative research; and

Previous relevant academic research or related work experience.