Think Tank Senior Fellow
Impact: Intellectual, Policy, Social
Conduct in-depth research, analyze policy issues, and contribute to public discourse through publications, presentations, and expert commentary; lead research projects, mentor junior staff, and engage with policymakers and the media.
What the day looks like
- People interaction
- Extensive
- Team vs solo
- Balanced
- Client facing
- Always
- Impact visibility
- High
- Travel
- Moderate
- Schedule flexibility
- Flexible
- Remote work
- Hybrid
- Typical work hours
- 45-55 hours per week
- Stress level
- High
At a glance
- Median salary
- Around $120,000
- Entry-level
- Starting at $80,000
- Senior
- Up to $180,000+
- Growth by 2033
- Average
- Demand
- Stable
- Freelance potential
- Low
- Salary growth potential
- High
- Typical student debt
- Up to $100,000 for advanced degrees
Skills you'll use
Hard skills
- Quantitative Analysis
- Policy Analysis
- Academic Writing
- Data Interpretation
- Public Speaking
Soft skills
- Critical Thinking
- Communication
- Research
- Problem Solving
- Leadership
Technical complexity: High
How to get there
- Minimum education
- Doctorate
- Licensing
- No
- Years to mid-career
- 5
- Years to senior
- 10
- Career switching
- Moderate
Where this career leads
How people arrive here
Where you can go from here
Typical progression
- Research Associate
- Fellow
- Senior Fellow
- Director of Research
Future outlook
- Automation probability
- 15
- AI disruption risk
- Moderate
- Demand trend
- Stable
How people feel about it
- Overall satisfaction
- 4/10
- Meaning
- 4/10
- Work-life balance
- 3.5/10
- Prestige
- 8.5/10
- Social perception
- Very High