Opportunity Insights Predoctoral Fellowships

Opportunity Insights (OI) recently completed a successful round of hires for our predoctoral program from our Fall 2024 hiring process. 

OI is excited to announce our Spring 2025 hiring round where we will identify additional fellows for our predoctoral program beginning in July 2025. These full-time positions will be based in Cambridge, MA. Predoctoral fellows will work closely with Raj Chetty (Harvard), John Friedman (Brown), Nathan Hendren (MIT), and other OI collaborators at Harvard and other universities.

 

The predoctoral fellowship is geared toward students interested in working with us for two years after graduating from an undergraduate or master’s program. Predoctoral fellows will work on research and analyses related to economic mobility. Additionally, predoctoral fellows have opportunities to participate in seminars and other research activities in a team-oriented lab environment. The program serves as a good bridge between college and graduate school for students interested in applied economics and mobility scholarship. Our Spring application deadline is Tuesday, February 11, 2025.

 

We particularly encourage applications from groups traditionally under-represented in Economics. Even if applicants are uncertain whether their technical research skills or subject-matter knowledge will be competitive, we strongly encourage their application.

 

Further details and application instructions are available on our website. 

PWBM Data Analyst Position Accepting Applications

Data Analyst  

Institution: The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania 

Penn Wharton Budget Model (PWBM) is seeking to hire one or more Data Analysts with a deep interest in economic research and public policy to assist with research on topics such as tax reform, education, immigration, entitlements reform, and the federal budget. Job responsibilities include assisting with research and model development, compiling and maintaining databases, performing statistical analyses, writing research reports, and providing research-related technical programming support. 

Candidates are required to have a bachelor’s degree, preferably in Economics, Statistics, Finance, Mathematics, Computer Science, or a related discipline. A thorough understanding of economics and public policy, ability to use statistical and programming tools, and self-motivation are highly valued in performing these functions. The ideal candidate is interested in spending two years with us before heading to graduate school.

Apply for this position at:  

https://wd1.myworkdaysite.com/en-US/recruiting/upenn/careers-at-penn/job/3440-Market-Street/Data-Analyst--Penn-Wharton-Budget-Model_JR00099644-1?q=Penn%20Wharton%20Budget%20Model

Applicants should include the following in their resume: overall GPA, GPA by field(s), a partial list of advanced courses taken in related disciplines listed above, and any computer skills, including coding languages.  

More about PWBM: 

PWBM informs policy discussions in Washington, D.C. by supporting the production of data-driven, non-normative research on issues at the intersection of business and public policy. Its work is widely cited and has been influential in many key recent policy discussions, including tax reform, infrastructure, health care and entitlement reform, immigration, education, and the federal debt outlook. PWBM is non-partisan and does not make policy recommendations. For more information visit:  https://budgetmodel.wharton.upenn.edu/  

Predoc Position in Spain! Applications Due March 15, 2025

The EnergyEcoLab is looking to hire for a 1-year research assistant in Madrid, Spain. Candidates should have a strong interest in research in applied microeconomics. The work would relate to several research projects in the areas of Energy and Environmental Economics and Industrial Organization. The position is funded by the European Research Council Advanced Grant ERC-2023-ADG Project 101142583 — ENERGY-IN-TRANSITION, entitled 'Socio-Economic Challenges and Opportunities of the Energy Transition,' led by Professor Natalia Fabra. The position will be based at CEMFI, one of the leading Economics Departments in Europe.

Salary range: 20,000-25,000 euros gross a year.

Learn more and apply

Application Open for 2025 BSOS Summer Research Initiative (SRI)

 

If you are thinking about grad school or are interested in research, getting undergrad research experience is an important step. This program provides rising juniors and seniors with an 8-week intensive experience to develop research skills, learn about doctoral training, and increase graduate training readiness.

The general goals of the SRI are to:

• Increase the general knowledge of, and interest in, doctoral-level training in the social and behavioral sciences among our participants and to;
• Provide rising juniors and seniors an opportunity to learn about graduate studies and the range of research and scholarship in the social and behavioral sciences specifically here at the University of Maryland.

We achieve these goals by:

• Providing laboratory or research experiences that enhance the basic research knowledge and skills of the participants;
• Providing lectures, workshops, didactic exchanges, and other programming to enhance students' knowledge of the graduate application process, negotiating the academic rigors and professional and personal challenges encountered in graduate school, and developing career paths in social and behavioral; and,
• Providing mentoring and professional networking opportunities for students to advance their training in the social and behavioral sciences.

Learn more and apply

Global Development Predoctoral Program

Predoctoral Research Fellows Program

Applications are open for the Stanford King Center on Global Development’s Predoctoral Research Fellows Program. The deadline to apply for 2025-26 is Sunday, January 5, 2025. This full-time, two-year post-baccalaureate program prepares individuals for careers in academic research focused on global development topics.

 

This program provides fellows with the opportunity to gain research experience and preparation for applications to PhD programs and doctoral studies. Students from low- and middle-income countries are particularly encouraged to apply! Predocs work on King Center Faculty Affiliates’ research projects and can take courses at Stanford University for credit. The fellowship offers tuition, health insurance, and a living stipend. Visa sponsorship and work authorization is possible for successful applicants.

All the best,

Kate

Katherine Casey

Faculty Director, Stanford King Center on Global Development

Professor of Political Economy, Stanford Graduate School of Business

kingcenter.stanford.edu

BSOS Peer Mentor Applications Now Open for Spring 2025

The BSOS Feller Center is now accepting applications for Peer Mentor positions for Spring 2025. Through their service to fellow students, Peer Mentors gain valuable skills in public speaking/presentation, professionalism, and leadership. Peer Mentors primarily facilitate BSOS Graduation Planning Workshops each semester and conduct various presentations in BSOS UNIV100 and BSOS361 classes. In preparation for these activities, all new Peer Mentors attend a mandatory class session once a week for their first semester as a Peer Mentor. All applicants are expected to serve for a minimum of two semesters. The program will be held in person once weekly. Peer Mentors earn one graded academic credit after each successfully completed semester.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Must be a BSOS major
• Intent to return to the University in Spring 2025
• At least a 2.5 GPA
• Must be in good judicial/academic standing

The application can be accessed here.

Expanding Diversity in Economics Summer Institute: Application Now Open!

 

Due Date: January 29, 2025

Learn more and apply

Founded in 2021 by the Becker Friedman Institute for Economics Research (BFI) to diversify the pool of students pursuing degrees and careers in economics, the program will now be known as Expanding Diversity in Economics+ (EDE+) as it seeks to broaden its impact. The 2025 Summer Institute will offer a comprehensive exposure, experience, and education into economic analysis and research careers through a combination of both in-person and remote programming from June 2-July 30, 2025.

Programming features a weeklong virtual skill-building bootcamp, followed by two weeks of in-residence programming: One in Washington, DC, and the other in Chicago. These engaging experiences will lead into a six-week synchronous, online summer course designed to guide participants through the research process, concluding with a research project and presentation. Participants will also be invited to attend and present their findings at a research and networking conference in Washington, DC hosted by PREDOC.org. Opportunities to gain publishing credit are also available as part of the summer experience.

EDE+ will continue to concentrate on economics and its rigorous analytical tools and frameworks for addressing complex social challenges. But it will now also seek to foster a path toward a research career through a unique interdisciplinary approach from its new home at Chicago Booth, exposing students to leading researchers in economics and related fields such as finance, accounting, behavioral science, and marketing to inspire students to ask questions that can change the world.

Students who successfully complete EDE+ will receive a stipend of $2,000, with all travel, housing, and group activities covered for on-campus programming in Washington, DC and Chicago, with associated costs for the undergraduate research conference.

November ECON Employer Panel Next Week!

Date & Time: November 15, 2024, 12:00 - 1:30 PM    

Location: ESJ 2212

Register

Meet with employers excited to work with ECON majors and alumni with valuable advice to share. This event will introduce you to different industries, educate you about typical entry level jobs for ECON majors, and give you an opportunity to ask questions. 

Confirmed employers include: 

• Cato Institute
• Maryland State Retirement Board
• M&T Bank
• US Commodity Futures Trading Commission

The event kicks off with brief introductions, followed by an interactive session where employers and alumni will break into small groups. This is your opportunity to ask questions, gain valuable insights, and network with professionals in the industry. 

Whether you're exploring internship opportunities, seeking career advice, or simply curious about the diverse paths in economics, this event is tailored for you! 

Dress is business casual. Learn more at https://go.umd.edu/careerdresscode

Research Assistant Position at the IMF

 

Application Deadline: November 20, 2024

The Macro-Financial Division of the Research Department of the International Monetary Fund conducts research on macroeconomic and financial issues critical to the Fund including macro- financial linkages, financial flows, financial systems, monetary policy, macroprudential policies, financial inclusion, climate finance, fintech and digital money. The division is looking for a full-time research assistant who could start after graduation. The contract will be for one year with the possibility of extending it for a second year.

The selected candidate should have an undergraduate in economics with a strong GPA. S/he should have some prior academic research experience and demonstrate excellent data management skills (significant programming experience in standard econometric software such as Stata, R, Python, etc., familiarity with computer systems, and the ability to handle large databases) and a good understanding of basic macroeconomics and finance. The RA should already have or be able to quickly develop the ability to work with the various sources of financial information and data used in the IMF, such as Worldscope, Datastream, Orbis, Fitch Connect, and Bloomberg.

Past candidates selected for this position have gone on to pursue graduate programs in prestigious universities in the U.S. including MIT, Stanford, Chicago, Brown, NYU, Georgetown, and Tufts. The IMF offers G4 visa status to all non-U.S. citizens as well as very generous remuneration and benefits.

If interested in the position, please send your CV and transcript to resmfexternal@imf.org by November 20. Also, it is mandatory that two references send us a letter of recommendation to the same email and by the same date. Recommenders should be able to assess candidates’ ability to assist with empirical analysis in economics, finance, or related quantitative sciences. All applicants will be expected to complete a STATA task within a few days after their application.

CBA Policy Analyst Intern

The Consumer Bankers Association (CBA) seeks an intern to support our Policy Analyst. This position will provide the unique opportunity to help further CBA’s policy agenda through quantitative and qualitative research, while also providing unique exposure to corporate interests through face time with our member banks.

Responsibilities

• Track and understand current legislation and regulation as it pertains to CBA priorities.
• Attend pertinent policy events to become engrained in various policy topics.
• Summarize & present on relevant regulatory reports including those from the CFPB, Federal Reserve, OCC, and others.
• Monitor public, private, and academic research on banking and financial regulatory topics.
• Assist in Creating and Maintaining datasets including data from FFIEC Call Reports.
• Assist the Policy Analyst with immediate requests for data analysis and visualizations for use in publications, trade letters, and other communications.
• Provide data-driven feedback and input on work products and strategy to CBA staff during policy team meetings.
• Opportunity to complete an independent work project utilizing quantitative and qualitative skills gained during the internship timeframe for presentation to Senior Leadership

Qualifications

• Understanding of and interest in CBA’s policy priorities
• Knowledge of relevant regulatory agencies overseeing CBA members
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Proficient in MS Word, PowerPoint, and Excel
• Data science and statistics skills including familiarity with R and/or STATA a plus
• Eager to take initiative and anticipate challenges.
• Desire to learn more about the legislative and rulemaking processes.
• Strong interest in economic research including causal inference.
• The ideal candidate is a currently enrolled student in either a bachelors’ or graduate program.