Empirical Research Fellowship

The Global Institute for Health and Human Rights; Palo Alto (CA); On-site; GBP 49,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Stanford University, based at Stanford Law School, invites graduates to join a full-time research fellowship to assist faculty in conducting policy-relevant empirical social science research.

This fellowship provides opportunities to audit Stanford courses, attend lectures, and collaborate with senior scholars on data collection, causal inference, and manuscript preparation.

Qualifications

• Experience in a quantitative discipline such as economics, political science, CS, stats, or applied math.
• Training in causal inference and/or machine learning methods.
• Bachelor’s degree in social sciences or related field.
• Outstanding academics and intellectual creativity.
• Eagerness to take initiative and solve intricate problems.
• Excellent time-management and ability to work with minimal supervision.
• Exceptional research and analytical writing skills.
• Programming experience in R, Python, Stata or other languages is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Collect, manage, and structure quantitative datasets.
• Conceptualize empirical methodologies and models.
• Perform statistical analyses and interpret results.
• Communicate with government officials, industry stakeholders, and research collaborators.
• Write reports and prepare manuscripts.

Skills

Quantitative data analysis

Causal inference and ML methods

Programming in R, Python, Stata

Strong writing

Initiative & problem solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree in social sciences or related field

Tools

R

Python

Stata

Job description

Recruitment began on August 20, 2026 and the job listing expires on October 23, 2026. Full-time.

Assist Stanford Law School faculty, including economist Dr. John J. Donohue, in conducting policy-relevant empirical social science research. Designed for graduating seniors or recent college or master’s program graduates, the fellowship provides a unique opportunity for those considering graduate school, law school, and/or business school in the future.

Over the past 5 years, research fellows have matriculated in PhD programs at: Berkeley (Economics), Columbia (Economics), Harvard (Sociology), MIT (Economics), Northwestern (Economics), Penn State (Economics), University of Pennsylvania (Economics), University of Wisconsin-Madison (Economics). In the past 5 years, fellows have also matriculated in law school at Stanford Law School and Yale Law School.

Budgeted Salary Range: The budgeted salary range for this position at Stanford Law School, as a full-time Stanford University employee, is: $31.40 to $35.00 per hour. If these hourly rates were annualized based on working 2,080 hours/year, the range is equivalent to: $65,312 to $72,800 per year. This represents a good faith estimate of what Stanford University expects to offer as compensation. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographic location and external market pay for comparable jobs.

Participation in this fellowship opportunity allows you to take and audit Stanford courses and attend on-campus lectures and seminars free of charge. In addition, incumbents in this fellowship will be eligible to take one course per quarter, not to exceed a maximum of 5 units (paid for by the department), with approval from your faculty supervisor. Additional restrictions may apply, such as a limit on the total number of courses you may take during the entirety of your fellowship.

At Stanford University, base pay represents only one aspect of the comprehensive rewards package. The Cardinal at Work website provides detailed information on Stanford’s extensive range of benefits and rewards offered to employees. Specifics about the rewards package for this position may be discussed during the hiring process. You will be eligible to elect a benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance, access to campus athletic and academic facilities, paid vacation time, professional development funds, and the capacity to audit Stanford courses and attend on-campus lectures and seminars free of charge.

Job Responsibilities

• Collecting, managing, and structuring quantitative datasets
• Conceptualization of suitable empirical methodologies and models
• Statistical analyses of complex datasets and interpretation of results
• Communication with government officials, industry stakeholders, and research collaborators
• Report writing and manuscript preparation

Job Qualifications

• Experience in a quantitative discipline, such as economics, political science, computer science, statistics, or applied math
• Training in causal inference and/or machine learning methods
• Bachelor’s degree, preferably in the social sciences or another relevant field
• Outstanding academic credentials and intellectual creativity
• Eagerness to take initiative and solve intricate problems
• Excellent time-management skills and ability to work effectively with minimal supervision
• Exceptional research and analytical writing skills
• Programming experience in R, Python, Stata, and/or other languages is strongly preferred
• Prior research experience and coursework in the empirical social sciences is preferred, but not required

Stanford is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

The job duties listed are typical examples of work performed by positions in this job classification and are not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities. Specific duties and responsibilities may vary depending on department or program needs without changing the general nature and scope of the job or level of responsibility. Employees may also perform other duties as assigned.

Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability that requires accommodation to perform the essential functions of their job.

Stanford Law School seeks to hire the best talent and to promote a safe and secure environment for all members of the university community and its property. To that end, new staff hires must successfully pass a background check prior to starting work at Stanford University.

If you have any additional comments or questions, please see the FAQs on the fellowship website above.