Empirical Research Fellow (Various Academic Depts)

TopSciNet; Evanston (IL); Hybrid; USD 52,000 - 57,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health care

Retirement plans

Professional development

Flexible work arrangements

Childcare support

Eldercare support

Job summary

Northwestern University Evanston, IL invites applications for an Empirical Research Fellow to collaborate on empirical and theoretical research in economics and related fields. The role supports multiple projects, with potential for renewal based on performance, and is ideal for applicants aiming for quantitative PhD programs in economics, finance, or related disciplines.

Fellows work with faculty and PhD students, contributing to data collection, cleaning, analysis, and model development.

Qualifications

• Completion of a four-year bachelor’s degree (or higher) by start date.
• Strong understanding of applied statistical concepts.
• Proficiency in at least one statistical programming language (R, Stata, MATLAB, or SAS).
• Strong documentation practices for datasets and program code.
• Ability to work independently and solve complex problems.
• Demonstrated long-term interest in research in Economics or Finance.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with multiple faculty members on new and ongoing research projects.
• Collect, maintain, validate, and document original research datasets.
• Test datasets for integrity and accuracy.
• Merge data sources, create new variables, and prepare datasets for analysis.
• Perform applied statistical analyses on large datasets.
• Write programs to simulate theoretical models or solve constrained optimization problems.
• Produce tables, figures, and other research outputs as required.
• Assist with literature reviews and development of theoretical models.
• Review and provide feedback on research paper drafts.
• Perform other responsibilities as assigned.

Skills

R

Stata

MATLAB

SAS

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher

Tools

Python

Bash

Java

C

Job description

Empirical Research Fellow (Various Academic Depts)

Northwestern University Evanston, IL —

Job Description

Department: Kellogg MEDS and Operations
Institution: Northwestern University – Kellogg School of Management
Location: Evanston, Illinois
Position Type: Full-Time
Salary: $25.55 per hour
Salary Grade: NEX/15
Appointment Term: One-year appointment, renewable for a second year based on performance

Position Overview

The Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University invites applications for an Empirical Research Fellow to collaborate with faculty members and Ph.D. students on empirical and theoretical research projects in economics and related fields. Fellows typically work on multiple projects simultaneously and may contribute to every stage of the research life cycle.

This role is ideal for candidates planning to apply to quantitative Ph.D. programs, particularly in Economics, Finance, or related disciplines, and who are interested in pursuing an academic research career. While a background in Economics is beneficial, candidates with strong technical or quantitative training seeking exposure to economics or finance are strongly encouraged to apply.

Key Responsibilities

Research Project Execution

Collaborate with multiple faculty members on new and ongoing research projects

Collect, maintain, validate, and document original research datasets

Test datasets for integrity and accuracy

Merge data sources, create new variables, and prepare datasets for analysis

Perform applied statistical analyses on large datasets

Write programs to simulate theoretical models or solve constrained optimization problems

Produce tables, figures, and other research outputs as required

Research Production

Assist with literature reviews and the development of theoretical economic models

Review and provide feedback on research paper drafts

Additional Duties

Perform other responsibilities as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

Completion of a four-year bachelor’s degree (or higher) from an accredited institution by the employment start date

Strong understanding of applied statistical concepts

Proficiency in at least one statistical programming language (e.g., R, Stata, MATLAB, or SAS)

Strong documentation practices for datasets and program code

Ability to work independently and solve complex problems

Demonstrated long-term interest in research in Economics, Finance, or a related field

Preferred Qualifications

Prior experience as a Research Assistant or conducting independent research

Familiarity with diverse data formats, database structures, and tagging schemas

Experience with scripting or lower-level programming languages such as Python, Bash, Java, or C

Knowledge of theoretical concepts and commonly used datasets in Economics or Finance (preferred but not required)

Northwestern University offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:

Competitive health care and retirement plans

Professional development and continuing education opportunities

Work-life balance programs, including flexible work arrangements where possible and support for childcare and eldercare

Additional details are available on Northwestern’s Human Resources website.

Equal Opportunity & Accessibility

Northwestern University is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics, including disability and veteran status. Applicants who require accommodations during the application or hiring process may contact the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance.