Maritime Policy Analyst

Balsa Research is a lean 501(c)(3) non-profit think tank dedicated to advancing high-impact policy research for overlooked federal reforms. Our current focus is federal maritime policy, specifically the Jones Act—a century-old maritime law whose effects ripple throughout the American economy.

We’re excited to be developing viable reform proposals that could reshape American maritime policy for the first time in generations.

Balsa Research is looking to hire a full-time policy analyst to support our policy research.

What You'll Do:

Set up and conduct stakeholder meetings on a weekly or near-weekly basis with Congressional staff, committee members, maritime unions, and industry representatives, working closely with our remote team to map how different entities are impacted by the Jones Act, in positive and negative ways.

Understand and document different perspectives on Jones Act impact and possible reform, focusing on pragmatic and realistic solutions

Track and analyze voting patterns and committee positions on maritime policy

Help develop targeted policy materials based on stakeholder feedback

Prepare briefing materials for team meetings and synthesize stakeholder feedback into actionable insights

Contribute to a comprehensive policy binder that will serve as the foundation for legislative reform efforts

Help us develop our internal AI use strategy

Qualifications

Required:

2+ years of Hill or policy experience

Based in Washington, DC area to facilitate in-person meetings

Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Ability to work independently while maintaining regular communication with remote team

Professional discretion when handling sensitive political information

Preferred:

Experience with transportation, labor, or maritime policy

Experience with AI tools for policy work

Existing relationships with Congressional offices or relevant committees

Experience drafting or analyzing legislation

Graduate degree in public policy, political science, or related field

You'll work closely with our remote team through regular check-ins and collaborative sessions, and we’ll provide ongoing support to ensure your success in the role. There may be occasional evening or early morning activities for conferences or calls, and very occasional travel to industry conferences (up to twice a year).

Compensation & Benefits

$65,000 - $80,000 depending on experience

QSEHRA health reimbursement account for health insurance and medical expenses to the federal maximum amount ($6,450 per self-only employee, $13,100 per employee with a family)

One-time $1000 remote work setup stipend 

Position Details

Reports to the strategic operations lead.

This position begins with a one-month trial period to ensure mutual fit, after which successful candidates convert to permanent employee status. All compensation and benefits begin immediately.

Core hours required for stakeholder meetings during standard DC business hours

Must be based in the Washington, DC area

Must be authorized to work in the United States (we cannot sponsor visas at this time)

Is this a lobbying position?

No; this is a research position, not a lobbying role. You'll gather information and perspectives to inform policy development, not advocate for specific outcomes. When meeting with stakeholders and representatives, while you may share information about our research when asked, your primary role is to listen, understand, and document their perspectives.

What is Balsa Research’s position regarding AI use?

We currently use AI tools extensively for source hunting, synthesizing large documents, sanity-checking operational work, and adapting existing materials for new contexts. We've invested in making our internal documents legible to LLMs and building workflows that let us move faster. We expect AI-assisted work to become table stakes in policy work within a few years, and we're positioning ourselves accordingly.

We'd like to hire someone with situational awareness about AI’s trajectory. Our ideal candidate is excited to help us develop workflows that make good use of it for collaborative policy research, and has opinions about its current limitations in a policy context. The right candidate for this role is neither dismissive nor overly credulous of AI outputs.

How to Apply

Please click here to apply. You will need a Gmail account to complete the application form. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and strong candidates will be contacted for initial interviews within 3 business days.

If you have any questions about the position or the application process, please email careers@balsaresearch.com.

This posting closes on the morning of April 6, 2026.