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Philadelphia, United States
Starts 2026-07-01. Duration: 2 years
Arthur van Benthem www
University of Pennsylvania www
Research Assistant (Pre-Doc)
Applied microeconomics
5 Sep 2025
1 May 2026
1 Jul 2026

PRE-DOCTORAL RESEARCH SPECIALIST

The successful candidate will support research by Professors Arthur van Benthem, Susanna Berkouwer, Judd Kessler, Corinne Low, Leon Musolff, Sagar Saxena, and Shing-Yi Wang. Topics include energy and the environment and/or development economics (van Benthem, Berkouwer, Wang); industrial organization (Musolff, Saxena) public and labor economics (Sprung-Keyser); labor, gender, and experimental economics (Low, Kessler). There are several open positions.

Examples of recent projects include:

Berkouwer and van Benthem: efficiency losses from imperfect environmental policies, energy efficiency adoption, carbon offsets and carbon markets, energy infrastructure construction, and land protection and biodiversity.

Kessler and Low: the impact of grade-optional policies, running experiments to measure hiring bias among employers, examining changes in women’s labor force participation over time, studying the unequal division of home production within the household, and mechanisms to reduce hiring bias.

Musolff and Saxena: the effects of AI on high skilled work, market power in web search, price controls and deregulation, and crop insurance for climate change.

Wang: labor/personnel topics including incentives to improve worker effort within firms in East and Southeast Asia, housing problems in East Asia, sanitation problems in South Asia.

You will join Wharton’s Department of Business Economics and Public Policy (BEPP) and become part of a cohort of predoctoral research fellows. BEPP offers many opportunities for personal and professional development through learning new technical skills, attending seminars, and taking courses. In some instances, predoc RAs have become co-authors of academic papers.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

Job responsibilities include performing a variety of statistical and econometric analyses, cleaning and analyzing data, writing research reports, conducting background research and literature reviews, identifying and obtaining secondary data, coding survey questionnaires, and managing field activities. Independent thinking, a thorough understanding of economics or related disciplines, an ability to manage work flows on multiple projects, and self-motivation are highly valued in performing these functions.

This is a challenging opportunity for an early-career professional who is passionate about social science research and has a strong desire to expand and deepen skills in economic research and quantitative data analysis. You will work closely with one or more of the professors, who will provide supervision on research and offer mentorship on academic development more broadly. You will also be encouraged to be an active part of the research community, within the BEPP department and in relevant Wharton research centers. We anticipate that the successful candidate would work in this position for 2 years, before going on to graduate programs or careers in Economics, Public Policy, or another quantitative social science.

QUALIFICATIONS

● BA/BS in Economics, Statistics, Data Science, or a related quantitative discipline;

● Previous experience as a research analyst or conducting independent research using statistical software such as STATA or R is preferred;

● Ability to process and analyze large data sets and write reports;

● Self-directed, intrinsically motivated, capacity to manage work independently and organize workflows across multiple projects.

SALARY & BENEFITS

This is a full-time, limited-term position typically intended for recent graduates who are seeking predoctoral research experience. The position is designed for a maximum duration of two years and cannot be extended beyond the initial term. The start date for this position is July 1, 2026. Annual salary is in the range of $57,000-61,000 plus benefits. For more information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University visit: https://hr.wharton.upenn.edu/benefits-comp/. Remote work may be possible for a temporary period.

HOW TO APPLY

Please apply on-line at https://wd1.myworkdaysite.com/recruiting/upenn/careers-at-penn/ Search for reference number: JR00110787

For the application to be considered complete, please submit a brief cover letter, explaining your interest in the position, a cv including three references, and all your academic transcripts. We will review applications on a rolling basis. In your cover letter please indicate which professors you are particularly interested in working with.

We will also consider applicants who are not yet authorized to work in the United States.

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT

Wharton’s Business Economics and Public Policy Department is an applied microeconomics department that has been an innovative force in research, teaching, and public service. Areas of faculty expertise include energy and environmental economics, development economics, industrial organization, experimental and behavioral economics, public and urban economics, and gender and discrimination. Our faculty have held presidential appointments on federal regulatory commissions, held research appointments and fellowships in government and not-for-profit think tanks, and serve on the boards of many corporations.

The Wharton Climate Center supports cutting edge research, provides thought leadership, and brings together stakeholders from academia, government, and the private sector to design smart public and private sector policies related to topics such as climate change, renewable energy, air and water pollution, waste disposal, biodiversity, and deforestation. See https://impact.wharton.upenn.edu/centers-labs/climate-center/.

Penn Development Research Initiative (PDRI) projects focus on various aspects of international development including education, health, governance, environment, gender, urbanization and migration, labor markets, poverty, and economic growth. Through regular seminars, conferences, collaborative research projects, and dissemination activities, PDRI makes it possible for faculty and graduate students at Penn to expand their efforts to conduct research that advances science and contributes to the improvement of well-being in developing countries. See https://pdri-devlab.upenn.edu/.

To apply, visit https://wd1.myworkdaysite.com/en-US/recruiting/upenn/careers-at-penn/details/Pre-Doctoral-Research-Specialist_JR00110787-1?q=JR00110787. (See posting for details.)

Location of job: 1354 Steinberg Hall-Dietrich Hall, 3620 Locust Walk, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, United States
Degree required: Bachelors
Job start date: 2026-07-01
Job duration: 2 years
Salary: 57,000 to 61,000 USD
Letters of reference required: 3
Interviews: Interviews will be conducted remotely by video

Mohali, India
Flexible start date.
Plaksha University www
Various position types
Assistant Professor  •  Associate Professor  •  Full Professor  •  Postdoctoral Scholar  •  Tenured Professor  •  Visiting Assistant Professor  •  Visiting Associate Professor  •  Visiting Professor  •  Research Assistant

Various fields
Development; Growth  •  Econometrics  •  Environmental; Ag. Econ.  •  Experimental Economics  •  Finance  •  International Finance/Macro  •  Macroeconomics; Monetary  •  Behavioral Economics  •  Any field  •  Business Economics  •  Marketing  •  Operations Research  •  Statistics  •  Microeconomic theory  •  Applied microeconomics
19 Nov 2024
30 Jul 2025
14 Nov 2025

Professor / Associate Professor / Assistant Professor of Economics

Plaksha University, Mohali, India

Full-Time Academic & Research Position (Tenure Track / Tenured / Visiting)

Plaksha University invites talented academicians, Ph.D. scholars and postdoctoral fellows, who have a zeal for interdisciplinary and impactful research & teaching, to apply for tenure-track/ tenured/ visiting Faculty of Economics.

We offer a thriving research and innovation ecosystem and are looking for top-notch faculty across diverse domains such as economics, statistics, computer science, data science, AI/ML, applied mathematics, finance, marketing, public policy, social sciences, and design. We welcome applications from all nationalities and diversity.

Why Plaksha:

  • Opportunity to build an institution, interdisciplinary academic programs (undergraduate/ graduate/ doctoral level), and research lab
  • High degree of freedom, flexibility & autonomy to define curriculum and pedagogy
  • Attractive salary structureProfessional Development Allowance to encourage registration with professional bodies, attendance at seminars or conferences, subscription to journals and similar expenses for continuous career development .
  • Attractive start-up research grants to the tune of INR 25,00,000 (USD 30,000) to assist in initiating research
  • Consulting opportunity for 1 day a week with 90% revenue share to faculty; support with making industry connections in leading corporates and start-ups through a dedicated Center for Corporate Partnerships and Careers
  • 2 summer months as mini-sabbatical at a reputed research-focused international university supported for tenure-track assistant professors
  • 1-on-1 mentorship from top academicians in one’s research area
  • Support for research and teaching through university sponsored fellowships for Ph.D. students and research fellows
  • High degree of freedom, flexibility & autonomy to define curriculum and pedagogy
  • Opportunity to interact and collaborate with colleagues educated and trained in top Institutions and access to a unique eco-system of 100 founders with proven entrepreneurial track record
  • Opportunity to build a greenfield institution and play a role in shaping the fabric of the university and its role in the world.
  • Fast-tracked opportunities for academic leadership positions
  • A dedicated Office of Research that provides assistance on research administrative issues and support with grant proposals.

Key responsibilities: The responsibilities include teaching at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral level including the development of innovative curriculum and pedagogy, conducting research, and helping to build research centers & laboratories of global eminence, along with innovative curriculum and pedagogy. Faculty are expected to:

  • Teach up to 4 courses per year (1 course = 3 credits = up to 42 contact hours per semester)
  • Contribute to Plaksha’s research mission by participating in its world-class research program that involves supervising undergraduate and graduate students, PhD scholars, and post-doctoral fellows
  • Raise research funds through government and private agencies and international consortiums.

Appointment: As early as January 2025

Eligibility:A Ph.D. from a world-class university with an excellent track record of intellectual impact. Some international experience is desirable.

Flexible career tracks: Tenure-track/tenured, Professor of Practice, Visiting & Adjunct positions, Joint industry appointments

Plaksha University is supportive of dual-careers and is an equal opportunity/ affi rmativeaction employer. We are committed to maintaining diversity and welcome applicationsfrom all nationalities, and encourage women, members from LGBTQ+ community, persons with disabilities, and other diverse communities. Citizenship of India is not a requirement. Foreign nationals with fl uency in English areencouraged to apply.

About Plaksha University:

Situated in Chandigarh tricity, India, Plaksha University is a collective philanthropic initiative by a global community of 100+ business leaders and academicians. A greenfield university, Plaksha is developing a transformational model of engineering education and research that integrates technology, design, entrepreneurship, and liberal arts. Plaksha represents the bold aspirations of 21st century India and has its mission anchored around three pillars: reimagining technology education, research to impact grand challenges, and catalyzing an entrepreneurial ecosystem.

In a short span of time, Plaksha has inked partnerships with the UC Berkeley, Purdue University, Cornell University, UC San Diego, SRI International, IISc Bangalore, IITs and many other leading institutions. Plaksha is building distinctive research centers on Digital Agriculture, Water Security, Digital Health, Clean Energy and Climate and a university-vide Data Science Institute. Plaksha’s growing and thriving community includes 200+ students, 30+ faculty, 100+ staff including researchers and scholars.

PLEASE NOTE

  • Candidates need to submit the application via Interfolio.
  • Applications will be evaluated on a rolling basis.

For more details, please visit www.plaksha.edu.in

To apply, visit https://apply.interfolio.com/39648/positions. (See posting for details.)

Location of job: Alpha, Sector 101, IT City Rd,, SAS Nagar, Mohali, Punjab, 140306, India
Degree required: Doctorate
Job start date: Flexible
Job duration: Continuing/permanent
Interviews: Interviews will be conducted remotely by video

New York, United States
Flexible start date. Duration: 2 years
Stone Center on Socio-Economic Inequality www
City University of New York Graduate Center www
Postdoctoral Scholar  •  Research Assistant
Various fields
Public Economics  •  Business Economics  •  Political Economy
15 Aug 2025
3 Nov 2025
3 Nov 2025

**Research Associate (Postdoctoral Scholar) in Wealth Inequality - Stone Center on Socio-Economic Inequality

**Job ID: 30453

**Compensation: $90,000/year plus an allowance for research-related expenditures, as well as an allowance for hiring research assistants from the Graduate Center’s student population.

Closing Date: November 3, 2025

**CAMPUS SPECIFIC INFORMATION

The Graduate Center, CUNY is the focal point for advanced teaching and research at The City University of New York (CUNY), the nation's largest urban public university. With over 35 doctoral and master’s programs of the highest caliber, the Graduate Center fosters pioneering research and scholarship in the arts and sciences and prepares students for careers in universities and the private, nonprofit, and government sectors. The Graduate Center’s commitment to research and scholarship for the public good is exemplified by its more than 30 centers, institutes, and initiatives, including its Advanced Science Research Center (ASRC), a 200,000 square-foot facility in upper Manhattan, designed to promote collaboration among scientists in five areas of global research and innovation: nanoscience, photonics, structural biology, neuroscience, and environmental sciences.

The Graduate Center (GC) benefits from highly ambitious and diverse students and alumni—who in turn teach hundreds of thousands of undergraduates every year. Through its public programs, the Graduate Center enhances New York City’s intellectual and cultural life.

STONE CENTER

The James M. and Cathleen D. Stone Center on Socio-Economic Inequality conducts and promotes quantitative research using inequality as a lens on society, politics, and the economy. The core faculty, the affiliated and postdoctoral scholars, and the students working within the center share a commitment to scholarship that is data-driven, interdisciplinary, and policy-oriented, often addressing questions that are cross-nationally comparative or global in scope.

The Stone Center:

  • Is home to a group of six core faculty members (senior scholars) who teach sociology, political science, and economics, and who—with graduate students and external affiliated scholars—are actively engaged in research addressing diverse aspects of socio-economic inequalities;
  • Hosts the US Office of LIS, the cross-national data center in Luxembourg, with socio-economic microdata from 60+ countries;
  • Organizes public programs related to inequality and collaborates with the Graduate Center’s Office of Public Programs on several large events each year.

For more information about the Stone Center visit https://stonecenter.gc.cuny.edu/

CALL FOR ONE POSTDOCTORAL SCHOLAR

The Stone Center seeks to hire a Research Associate (Postdoctoral Scholar) working on wealth and/or wealth inequality, to carry out research focused on the United States, on other countries, or through cross-country comparisons. This position reports to the Stone Center Director and is a full-time two-year position beginning in August 2026.

Priority will be given to candidates conducting research in the following areas:

  • Distribution of wealth, wealth inequality, wealth concentration;
  • Intergroup wealth disparities (e.g., by gender, race, ethnicity, migration status);
  • Intersection of wealth inequality, climate policies, and climate crisis:
  • Determinants (including public policies) and consequences of wealth concentration;
  • Estate, inheritance, gift, and wealth taxation, and/or other policies that shape wealth accumulation and wealth transfers.
  • Behavioral responses from taxation and revenue analysis.

The allocation of time will be approximately as follows:

  • 70% - The postdoctoral scholar will have the opportunity to work individually on their own research projects related to wealth.
  • 30% - The postdoctoral scholar will join the ongoing team of the GC Wealth Project, led by Project Director Salvatore Morelli. The postdoctoral scholar will contribute to the Wealth Project’s work, which includes gathering, curating, and producing data and research related to wealth inequality, wealth composition, and wealth taxation, across countries and over time; the precise role will be determined mutually. In this role, the postdoctoral scholar will work closely with other Wealth Project team members, including one other postdoctoral scholar, and will also supervise M.A./Ph.D. student research assistants.

All full-time and part-time CUNY staff are expected to work in-person at their campus office 70% of their work time. For full-time staff, this is equivalent to 7 out of 10 days of in-person work in a two-week period (e.g., 7 days in-person, 3 days remote). This hybrid work schedule is subject to change.

Minimum Qualifications:
Doctoral Degree in a related field and demonstrated research ability.

Other Qualifications:

A preferred candidate should have:

  • D. degree in economics, sociology, political science, demography, public policy, or a related social science discipline
  • Applicants must have completed their Ph.D. no more than seven years prior to the application date;
  • Applicants must demonstrate that their Ph.D. degree will be completed by August 2026;
  • Research portfolio that demonstrates interest in and experience with empirical, methodological, or theoretical scholarship on socio-economic inequality, with a focus on the content areas noted above;
  • High level of technical skill, expertise in a range of quantitative methods, and experience with complex data sets;
  • Experience with communicating research findings in a way that is relevant to the public.

Benefits:
CUNY offers a comprehensive benefits package to employees and eligible dependents based on job title and classification. Employees are also offered pension and Tax-Deferred Savings Plans. Part-time employees must meet a weekly or semester work hour criteria to be eligible for health benefits. Health benefits are also extended to retirees who meet the eligibility criteria.

How to Apply:

Please click on “Apply Now” below which links to the registration screen. If you are a new user, you must register to apply. If you already have a user ID, please use your existing ID. The following are all required:

  1. Curriculum vitae.
  2. Statement of interest, not to exceed 1,500 words. The statement of interest should:
  3. Summarize your qualifications, and describe your past work related to wealth inequality.
  4. Include a brief description of the projects that you hope/expect to carry out during the two-year period.
  5. Indicate whether you have a Ph.D. degree and the month and year in which you attained your Ph.D. degree.

d.If you do not have a Ph.D. degree at the time of application, please indicate the month and year by which you will have a Ph.D. degree.

  1. One writing sample. Please do not submit multiple writing samples.
  2. Contact details for three (3) professional references, including their name, title, organization, telephone numbers, and email addresses. Letters of recommendation are not required with the initial application.

Please upload all documents in PDF format.

Timeline:

The search committee will complete an initial round of screening. Candidates selected for further review will be asked to provide three letters of recommendation. The search committee will then complete a second round of screening and candidates retained for further review will be invited for an interview with the Search Committee. All interviews will be conducted remotely via Zoom.

Scholars studying facets of intergenerational mobility and/or poverty may choose to apply for a different Stone Center postdoctoral scholar position, referenced here as Job ID 30454. Candidates whose work is appropriate to both positions are welcome to apply to both.

Equal Employment Opportunity:
CUNY encourages people with disabilities, minorities, veterans and women to apply. At CUNY, Italian Americans are also included among our protected groups. Applicants and employees will not be discriminated against on the basis of any legally protected category, including sexual orientation or gender identity. EEO/AA/Vet/Disability Employer.

To apply, visit https://cuny.jobs/new-york-ny/research-associate-postdoctoral-scholar-in-wealth-inequality-stone-center-on-socio-economic-inequality/FE2983B07FAB4E8AB4C694BFF3E0E55E/job/. (See posting for details.)

Location of job: 365 Fifth Avenue, The Graduate Center, CUNY, New York, New York, 10016, United States
Degree required: Doctorate
Job start date: Flexible
Job duration: 2 years
Letters of reference required: 3

St. Louis, United States
Flexible start date.
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis www
Research Assistant (Pre-Doc)
Any field
20 Aug 2025
15 Oct 2025
15 Oct 2025

The St. Louis Fed hires several Research Associates each year. Start dates for this search are in the Spring or Summer of 2026.

This is an excellent opportunity to work with, learn, and engage with our reputable economist staff, visiting fellows and scholars. Former St. Louis RAs have continued their careers in other Bank divisions, in PhD programs, and in the private sector. More Information can be found in the RAjobs link below under the success stories tab.

Visit https://research.stlouisfed.org/RAjobs/ for a detailed overview of the RA position.

What are the day-to-day activities?

  • Perform statistical, econometric, computational and analytical research that economists can use for publication in academic journals.
  • Utilize Excel and statistical packages such as Stata, R, Matlab, Julia, Python, and SAS.
  • Collect, organize and interpret economic and financial data.
  • Review academic journals, market sources and government reports.
  • Write short articles or assist economists in developing short articles and presentations on current economic and financial conditions and policy issues.
  • Attend to additional assignments, including gathering and organizing survey data and anecdotal information and summarizing economic data for the Beige Book.

Qualifications

  • A GPA of 3.5 or above
  • Bachelor’s degree in economics, econometrics, or quantitative economics
  • Strong background in mathematics and statistics, including coursework in Calculus II, Econometrics, Linear Algebra, and Differential equations
  • Previous economic research experience, such as undergraduate research assistant, research-related internship or independent research project.

How to Apply

Interested applicants must submit the documents requested below:

NOTE: Applications will not be considered without all of these materials.

For questions or concerns, contact: ra.recruiting@stls.frb.org

Benefits

Bring your passion and expertise, and we'll provide the opportunities that will challenge you and propel your growth—along with a wide range of benefits and perks that support your health, wealth, and life.

In addition to great compensation package, we offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes tuition assistance, generous paid time off, top-notch health care benefits, child and family care leave, professional development opportunities, a 401(k) match, pension, and more. All brought together in a flexible work environment where you can truly find balance.

At the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, we believe the Federal Reserve most effectively serves the American public by building a more diverse and inclusive economy. Our commitment to diversity and inclusion, at all levels of the organization, has been one of our core values for many years and remains strong as we continue enhancing our efforts. Learn more about the Bank's culture.

The Federal Reserve Bank of St Louis is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

To apply for this position, log in and choose your Applicant role (or, if you have no account, create one).
Location of job: 1 Federal Reserve Bank Plaza, St. Louis, Mo, 63102, United States
Degree required: Bachelors
Job start date: Flexible
Job duration: Continuing/permanent
Letters of reference required: 2
Interviews: Interviews will be conducted remotely by video
Application deadline: 15 Oct 2025 midnight UTC

Zürich, Switzerland
Flexible start date. Duration: 18 months
Department of Economics www
University of Zurich www
Research Assistant (Pre-Doc)
Any field
9 Sep 2025
12 Oct 2025
12 Oct 2025

Predoctoral Research Associate in Economics

at the Chair of Globalization and Labor Markets, University of Zurich

The Department of Economics of the University of Zurich invites applications for the position of a Full-Time Predoctoral Research Associate in Economics. The Research Associate receives an appointment of up to 1.5 years at the Department of Economics and will work closely with Prof. David Dorn.

The position offers an opportunity to gain first-hand experience in developing cutting-edge empirical research. It will support research projects on labor markets, globalization, technological change, and political economy.

Specific responsibilities include obtaining, organizing and cleaning data, analysing data using statistical software, presenting results, and writing documentation and reports. See www.ddorn.net for past research projects and data outputs.

Job Qualifications:

  • Experience: Candidates should have hands-on experience with statistical software, ideally including Stata and possibly Matlab or R. Formal post-undergraduate professional experience is not required.
  • Education: This position is usually filled by those with a Master’s degree in economics, social sciences, public policy, mathematics, statistics, or related fields. Training in microeconomics, econometrics, and statistics is required.
  • Communication: Good oral and written communication skills in English. Knowledge of German is not required.
  • Time Management: Proven ability to handle several different projects/tasks at one time, successfully complete tasks assigned, and meet deadlines. A willingness to work hard, be self-motivated and learn will be essential for doing well in this position.
  • Citizenship: Both European citizens and non-Europeans are welcome to apply.

The Pre-Doc is a full-time position with a flexible start date in the first quarter of 2026 and end date in summer 2027. It offers a competitive salary. The successful candidate will join a motivated team of young researchers in Zurich who work in a dynamic environment that offers frequent interaction with other research assistants, PhD students, faculty members, and access to seminar series (see www.econ.uzh.ch/en/eventsandseminars.com). Alumni of the University of Zurich’s Pre-Doc program have subsequently gone on to prestigious PhD programs in Europe and the United States.

The application should include the following: motivation letter, CV, and academic transcripts from past and current studies. Applicants should also arrange for two reference letters, ideally written by supervisors of past research-related activities. Any necessary inquires can be directed to economicsrecruiting@econ.uzh.ch, while applications should be submitted via the link below. The binding deadline for applications is October 12, and reference letters should be received by October 19.

Apply here

To apply, visit https://www.facultyhiring.oec.uzh.ch/positiondetails/50724866. (See posting for details.)

Location of job: Schönberggasse 1, Zürich, 8001, Switzerland
Degree required: Bachelors
Job start date: Flexible
Job duration: 18 months
Letters of reference required: 2
Interviews: Interviews will be conducted remotely by video starting November, 2025.

Cambridge, United States
Starts 2026-07-01. Duration: 2 years
Opportunity Insights www
Research Assistant (Pre-Doc)
Any field
5 Sep 2025
1 Oct 2025
1 Oct 2025

OVERVIEW

Opportunity Insights (OI) at Harvard University is hiring several full-time predoctoral fellows to start in Summer 2026 to work with our research group and under the direction of Raj Chetty, John Friedman, and Nathan Hendren. OI is a nonpartisan research and policy institute focused on improving economic opportunity. Founded in 2018, OI has become a nationally and internationally recognized leader in the science of economic mobility and in the use of large administrative data to understand and address inequality. OI has published seminal work on national trends in upward mobility; racial disparities; the role of neighborhoods, social capital, credit, and higher education in upward mobility; and the use of private-sector data to understand disparate impacts in the recent economic recession and recovery. Much of the team’s ongoing research uses quasi-experimental methods to identify causal effects and test the predictions of economic and sociological models. Examples of current research projects include: long-term impacts of neighborhoods and place-based policies, the role of colleges and workforce training in upward mobility, and measuring how social networks affect mobility. OI’s work has shaped policy discussions at the national and local level, with nearly a dozen of its studies covered on the front pages of major media outlets, such as the New York Times, The Economist, The Washington Post, and the Wall Street Journal, and have been widely cited in policy discussions.

Fellows will be based at Harvard or Brown Universities under the direction of Professors Chetty, Friedman, and Hendren. The fellowship will include a variety of tasks that provide preparation for graduate school or other industry research positions, such as analyzing data, developing statistical models, creating presentations, and editing research papers. In addition to working with OI faculty, predoctoral fellows frequently co-author papers with other students or faculty members. Fellows will interact regularly with professors and their collaborators – such as Stefanie DeLuca, Benny Goldman, Matthew Jackson, Larry Katz, Theresa Kuchler, Michael Stepner, and Johannes Stroebel – in a team-oriented lab environment, with regular lab meetings, seminars, and other events. Fellows also have the opportunity to support our research translation and policy work through such resources as the Opportunity Atlas, the Social Capital Atlas, and the Economic Tracker.

Fellows are invited to participate in broader activities at Harvard and Brown, including seminars and courses. The program serves as an ideal bridge between college and graduate school for students interested in empirical economics. Most previous fellows have gone on to top Ph.D. programs. Salary and benefits are competitive with other top predoctoral fellowships.

As an organization focused on economic mobility, we welcome applications from persons with varied backgrounds and perspectives. Even if applicants are uncertain whether their technical research skill or subject-matter knowledge will be competitive, we strongly encourage applications. Applicants should have completed a bachelor’s degree (or be on track to complete by July 2026) or master’s degree, have strong quantitative skills, and experience with empirical research methods. Candidates with research experience are strongly preferred, especially those with programming experience in Stata, SAS, R, and/or Python. Candidates need not be Economics majors, though they should have a strong interest in and some experience with Economics. Successful candidates have come from a variety of backgrounds (including from undergraduate and graduate programs, industry jobs, and other research assistant positions), and have a range of skill levels and experience with coding.

Fellowships will begin around July 1, 2026. Fellows typically work at OI full-time for two years before starting graduate school in Economics or another social science or pursuing other related career paths.

Note: Persons may only apply once during the 2025-2026 academic year. If you apply during the Fall 2025 hiring session and are not selected, you will not be eligible to reapply until the 2026-2027 Academic Year (i.e., Fall 2026 or Spring 2027 hiring rounds).

COMMITMENT TO NON-DISCRIMINATION Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination. We seek talent from all parts of society and the world, and we strive to ensure everyone at Harvard thrives. Our differences help our community advance Harvard’s academic purposes.

Harvard has an equal employment opportunity policy that outlines our commitment to prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, sex, ethnicity, color, national origin, religion, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or identified in the university’s non-discrimination policy. Harvard’s equal employment opportunity policy and non-discrimination policy help all community members participate fully in work and campus life free from harassment and discrimination.

APPLICATION DEADLINE

Wednesday, October 1, 2025 at 11:59 pm ET.

HOW TO APPLY & LEARN MORE ABOUT OI’S PREDOCTORAL FELLOWSHIP

Please visit https://opportunityinsights.org/joinourteam/

To apply, visit https://opportunityinsights.org/joinourteam/. (See posting for details.)

Location of job: 1280 Massachusetts Ave, Second floor, Cambridge, MA, 02138, United States
Degree required: Bachelors
Job start date: 2026-07-01
Job duration: 2 years