Department   Schl of Public & Int'l Affairs
Category   Research and Laboratory
Full-Time / Part-Time   Full-Time
Application Deadline   4/30/2021

Overview

The Research Specialist will assist a group of economics and finance faculty members (including Atif Mian, Adrien Matray, David Schoenherr, Natalie Cox, Moritz Lenel, Jonathan Payne, and Motohiro Yogo) in various aspects of their research. The research projects address questions in macroeconomics, finance, and public policy. The position involves a variety of tasks that provide preparation for graduate school, such as: managing large data sets, statistical programming and data visualization, conducting literature reviews, summarizing research findings, and editing research papers. The senior research specialist will work under the general direction of 2-3 faculty or postdoctoral supervisors and may also work collaboratively with at least one other senior research specialist.  

In addition to working closely with faculty, senior research specialists participate in the vibrant academic life of Princeton University, including auditing classes, attending seminars, and interacting with undergraduate and graduate students and postdoctoral fellows at the Center.

This position is ideal for graduating seniors or master’s degree students interested in pursuing a Ph.D. in Economics after acquiring 1-2 years of full-time research experience. Following the completion of this position, previous research specialists have gone on to top Ph.D. programs at Stanford, MIT, Northwestern, London School of Economics, Columbia, Barcelona GSE, and U. of Maryland.

Women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. This is a one-year term position with the possibility of renewal for a second year. The end date is dependent on the start date, which may vary, but will likely be during Summer 2021. The position is based in Princeton, NJ, but during the COVID-19 crisis, all work is remote.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Short-listed applicants will be invited to complete a technical exercise and an interview. Selected candidates will be required to successfully pass a background check.

Candidates should upload the following:

• Cover letter and resume
• List of three references
• Transcripts from all previous academic programs
• A written research paper (undergrad thesis, term paper, etc.)
• Sample of code (ideally for same paper)

Responsibilities

• Compiling and managing large data sets
• Statistical programming and data visualization
• Conducting literature reviews
• Summarizing research findings
• Editing research papers

Qualifications

Essential Qualifications:

• A Bachelor’s degree in Economics, Applied Math, Computer Science, or significant advanced coursework in these areas
• Knowledge of statistics/econometrics
• Experience with statistical programming in STATA

Preferred Qualifications:

• Graduate-level courses in computational economics, economic analysis, or financial economics
• Excellent analytical, empirical, research and writing skills
• Experience coding in R, Python, or Matlab
• Familiarity with standard social science data sources
• Experience with LaTex, Unix/Linux
• Knowledge of standard internet tools and HTML

Princeton University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. EEO IS THE LAW.