Advertiser: Community Development, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

Field(s) of specialization: Labor; Demographic Economics - Any field - Urban; Rural; Regional Economics - Health; Education; Welfare

Position type(s): Other nonacademic

Location of job: 100% remote.

Degree required: Doctorate

Job start date: Flexible

Job duration: 1 year

Recommenders to be selected 0 for junior applicants, none for senior applicants

Target date for applications: 2 Oct 2026

Application deadline: 9 Oct 2026 midnight UTC (accepting applications)

Posting end date: 18 Oct 2026

Ad text:

The Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis’ Community Development (CD) department is seeking applicants for its Research Fellows program. The department researches and publishes information about the economic resilience and mobility of lower income and underserved households and communities in the Eighth Federal Reserve District and beyond.

The department invites scholars from around the country whose work aligns with the department’s three initiatives:

1. The Workforce Resilience Initiative examines what creates and sustains a resilient workforce.
   • Areas of focus:
   • Youth labor force participation
   • Impact of automation and AI on workers
   • Workforce development
   • Opportunity occupations
2. The Financial Wellbeing Initiative aims to understand access to capital and credit for unbanked and underbanked households.
   • Areas of focus:
   • Unbanked and underbanked
   • Access to credit
   • Financial education and financial wellbeing
3. The Rural Prosperity Initiative seeks to understand how rural communities can better utilize their assets and navigate opportunities to achieve economic growth.
   • Areas of focus:
   • Rural housing
   • Access to capital

We are looking for fellows from various disciplines (e.g, Urban planning and design, Sociology, Economics, Political Science, Social Work, Psychology, and others) using a wide range of quantitative and qualitative methods.

Offer:

• The fellowship will offer $7800 in payment.
• The research fellowship is a one-year contract beginning in January of 2027.
• Fellows will have opportunities to publish their work in the Bank’s outlets.
• Fellows can rely on feedback from staff and other fellows to further their work. In-depth and mutually beneficial collaboration is possible.

Expectations:

• Participate in calls and meetings organized by staff as appropriate.
• Partner with staff members to co-author research products focused on an issue relevant to the department’s initiatives.
• Participate (virtually or in-person) in the bimonthly seminar series.
• Present your research at seminars and events as appropriate.

Application:

Please submit a letter of interest. In fewer than 1,000 words, please:

• Outline your research focus and how it aligns with the research initiative/s.
• Describe the specific research and products (e.g., Open Vault Blog, On the Economy Blog) you will pursue as a fellow.
  • Please include research question, data sources, analysis plan, and potential implications for practice.
• Submit a CV.