Research Assistant (Pre-Doc Intern)

ubc; Vancouver; On-site; CAD 56,000 - 57,000; Full time

Job summary

University of British Columbia (UBC) is seeking a Research Assistant (Pre-Doc Intern) to join the Vancouver School of Economics and CIDER. The role involves data collection, cleaning, and analysis across multiple projects under faculty supervision.

The position emphasizes hands-on research experience, proficiency in Stata, R, or Python, and a path toward a PhD in economics or related fields. It is a finite pre-doctoral appointment with collaboration across departments.

Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree in Economics, Statistics, CS, or Mathematics.
• Strong quantitative background and data analysis skills.
• Experience with data cleaning and programming is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Oversees complex data collection, manipulation, and data storage.
• Plans and performs data retrieval and analysis using existing tools and methods.
• Works with senior level faculty in the design and execution of empirical tests.

Skills

Stata

R

Python

Education

Undergraduate degree in Economics, Statistics, Computer Science, or Mathematics

Tools

Stata

R

Python

Job description

Job Category

CUPE 116

Job Profile

CUPE 116 Salaried - Intern

Job Title

Research Assistant (Pre-Doc Intern)

Department

Administrative Support | CIDER Admin Support and RA's | Vancouver School of Economics

Compensation Range

See details below.

Posting End Date

October 4, 2026

Job End Date

May 31, 2028

The expected pay for this position is $5,047.

At UBC, we believe that attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce is key to the successful pursuit of excellence in research, innovation, and learning for all faculty, staff and students. Our commitment to employment equity helps achieve inclusion and fairness, brings rich diversity to UBC as a workplace, and creates the necessary conditions for a rewarding career.

Job Description Summary

The Vancouver School of Economics (VSE) at the University of British Columbia (UBC) is a globally recognized leader in economic research and education. VSE faculty conduct cutting‑edge research across a diverse range of economic subfields, including labor economics, development, economic history, political economy, public economics, the economics of crime, and applied microeconomics. The school is committed to fostering an inclusive academic environment and supporting the next generation of economists through rigorous training and mentorship.

The Centre for Innovative Data in Economics Research (CIDER) at VSE is a hub for data‑intensive economic research. CIDER facilitates collaboration with leading researchers and institutions, providing access to advanced data resources and computational tools to support high‑impact research projects.

The Pre‑Doctoral Fellow/Research Technician position at VSE is a unique opportunity for aspiring researchers to gain hands‑on experience in economic research. Working closely with faculty members, fellows will contribute to a variety of research projects involving data collection, cleaning, and analysis; literature reviews; and preparation of research findings. Successful candidates will have a strong quantitative background, proficiency in programming languages such as Stata, R, or Python, and a keen interest in pursuing a PhD in economics or a related field. The position offers a dynamic research environment and serves as an excellent stepping stone for those looking to advance their academic careers.

Organizational Status

The job will entail close collaboration with VSE and CIDER faculty members on research projects in applied microeconomics involving large and complex data sets. The successful candidate will be involved in all aspects of research, from new project development to data acquisition, data analysis, and presentation of results.

Work Performed

• Oversees complex data collection, manipulation, and data storage.
• Plans and performs the outlines and looks after data retrieval (eg, data scraping) and analysis (eg, big data analysis) using existing tools and methods.
• Responsible for complex tasks in relation to data retrieval and analysis.
• Works with senior level faculty in the design and execution of empirical tests. Supports the project/study by surveying literature and using existing tools to generate data.
• Conducts literature reviews and contributes to the development of research projects.
• Writes reports and assists with writing grant applications in terms of conceptualization and articulation.
• Oversees the day‑to‑day research project operations and oversees and directs work of undergraduate research assistants.
• Oversees data reporting and prepares information to be displayed for presentation and publication.
• Carries out any other related duties as required in keeping with the qualifications and requirements of positions in this classification.

Consequence of Error/Judgement

This is a research assistant position within a research project involving a variety of projects and sophisticated research methods. The work requires considerable judgement in the management of research priorities, data, applications, schedules, and task delegation.

Confidentiality: Employees of the University of British Columbia always work under strict confidentiality because of the nature of the data holdings. Any breach in data security would place the future of the school, and its many programs of research, at risk.

Accuracy and Accountability: Accuracy is essential since errors may have implications for published reports, grant funding, data access, and public relations. The Research Assistant is responsible for checking the reliability and accuracy of work done and reporting challenges and threats directly to her/his supervisor.

Supervision Received

The successful candidate will work under the supervision of the Research Manager of the Centre for Innovative Data in Economics Research, along with UBC research faculty.

Supervision Given

May coordinate and organize tasks of research assistants participating in the research team.

Minimum Qualifications

• Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one’s own
• Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one’s own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion

Preferred Qualifications

Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline such as Economics, Statistics, Computer Science, or, Mathematics. The ideal candidate will have:

• a strong quantitative background, preferably in economics;
• strong computer skills, such as programming, data analysis and;
• the ability to work autonomously within a team and to solve problems independently;
• strong written and verbal communication skills; and
• a long‑term interest in pursuing research in economics.